Deal on luxury fleet proves pollution policy is hot air
As a taxpayer concerned about the health risks of Hong Kong's polluted air, I am furious and aggrieved to learn that the administration is to spend our money on 36 environmentally unfriendly luxury cars ('Government car fleet to go green - except for 36 luxury gas guzzlers', October 21). What happened to Action Blue Sky? Didn't our chief executive and environment chief say that each small step taken by every individual contributes to cleaning our air? Only a couple of months have elapsed and now the government decides it needs 36 additional air-pollution culprits on our streets.
By not practising what he preaches, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen undermines the credibility of his claim to strong governance.
JACK YU, Tseung Kwan O
In his recent policy address, the chief executive listed air pollution as a priority. Obviously the government department responsible for procurement does not support him, setting a bad example just a few weeks later by announcing plans to spend HK$12.6 million on 36 gas-guzzling luxury Volkswagen saloons ('Government car fleet to go green - except for 36 luxury gas guzzlers'). I urge the government to call off the deal immediately, and reissue a tender specifying that these vehicles be hybrids. If there are contractual difficulties, I urge the government to instead buy hybrid cars from Volkswagen.
GREG WONG CHAK-YAN, Mid-Levels
Your editorial calling for urgent action on air pollution rightly points out that our administration is not tackling the problem with the appropriate alacrity ('More urgency needed on clear-air initiatives' (October 21). I'm sure your words will fall on deaf ears, as usual, as our government is like a crocodile, with small ears and eyes always half shut, shedding tears to fool people.
The government should cancel its contract to buy 36 fuel-inefficient luxury saloons from Volkswagen. In the long run, not only will this save money, it will show the public that the government can practise what it preaches. It should also offer a 50 per cent reduction in road taxes for the next five years for drivers who switch to hybrid vehicles.
A.L. NANIK, Tsim Sha Tsui
Does the administration not realise that this city is no longer a colony run by expatriate officials with the associated perks and trappings? All we are now is one of many cities in China, a great number with much bigger populations. Our top-level public servants are no more than the heads of municipal departments, so why should they be entitled to chauffeur-driven, luxury cars at taxpayers' expense?
While it may be all very nice for the head of the Drainage Services Department, for example, to swish around town in a government limousine on weekend shopping trips, this perk is an indication of the exaggerated status of public servants. Let's phase out most luxury government cars. This will save us money, reduce our air pollution and reflect Hong Kong's status more realistically.
ROB LEUNG, Wan Chai
