Vested interests win - again

I lost count of the number of times the chief executive used the phrase 'strong government' to characterise his administration. One would have to agree with him if, by 'strong', he meant stubbornness in the face of reasoned criticism, recalcitrance towards positive proposals from outside the administration circle, or a rock-ribbed defence of entrenched interests. But if strength means willingness to take bold decisions to address Hong Kong's biggest problems, then forget it.

Donald Tsang Yam-kuen seems to have been determined not to make a splash with his policy speech. It's not only full of the usual platitudes, but most of the items of substance - such as on a minimum wage and the cruise terminal - had already been leaked.

Those leaks appear driven by a desire to test public reaction in advance, and to underline the inevitability of the announced policies - whatever the Legislative Council or the public may think. Either way, they reflect the mix of timidity and arrogance that characterises bureaucrat-led government.

The low-key nature of the speech and its proposals might appear justified in a normal pre-election situation. That is, one in which a government wishes to focus on 'stability and prosperity' rather than announce new initiatives which might be controversial. However, there is almost zero chance now that Mr Tsang will be dumped by Beijing - and even less that he'll be defeated by opponent Alan Leong Kah-kit or anyone else in next year's small-circle election.

So why was there a need for Mr Tsang to demonstrate that he is still in the pockets of very narrow business interests on the crucial issues - pollution and income distribution?

The way Mr Tsang addressed the minimum wage issue clearly shows his lack of leadership ability. He should either reject the idea as contrary to Hong Kong's laissez-faire policy, or bring in a law. Instead, we have a fuzzy, voluntary 'Wage Protection Movement' to be applied to cleaners and guards.