IT'S wrong to abolish the appointment system to the district boards and the municipal councils - Hong Kong risks losing the experience, expertise and contribution of veteran appointed members. The continuity of the system will also be affected.
This is the familiar argument we heard so often at the peak of the debate on whether the community should support Governor Chris Patten's constitutional reform package.
Sunday's municipal council elections results mocked supporters of the appointment system - and credit must go to veteran Urban Council appointees Dr Ronald Leung Ding-bong and Ronnie Wong Man-chiu.
So much attention has been focussed on the battle between Szeto Wah and Elsie Tu that people may have overlooked the commendable act of the Urban Council appointees in participating in the elections.
There was no guarantee that they would win. But instead of grumbling about why the Government should abolish the appointment system, considered by many appointees as of great value to the continuity of the system, Dr Leung and Mr Wong opted for the more positive route by taking part in the elections to retain their seats in the council.
They proved that hard work and courage does yield results.
