I REFER to the article 'Hidden danger in Legco poll' (Sunday Morning Post, February 19). I think the danger does not come from Governor Chris Patten's political reforms, but rather the apathy of Hong Kong people which has appeared after the one million-strong pro-democracy demonstration of June 1989.
This contrasts with the embarrassingly low turnout in last September's district board elections, giving the local pro-China critics a chance to blast the political reforms.
People in Hong Kong need to express their views and grievances through elections otherwise the 'patriots' in the Preliminary Working Committee and our future masters will assume we prefer Beijing-style democracy.
Last September's low turnout makes me worry about another dismal performance in today's municipal polls. The only bargaining chip Hong Kong has is our vote, which will tell the Chinese authorities we want democracy.
The Government's job, to urge eligible voters to register in their functional constituencies, is a difficult one. But I think Governor Chris Patten understood this problem when he was drafting the political reform package in London. Therefore, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Michael Sze Cho-cheung, should put more effort into promoting the new rules of the game in coming elections.
ALEX YIP To Kwa Wan
