THE Democrats lent last-minute support to a Liberal call for government intervention to halt the slowdown in the economy.
Liberal Party member Henry Tang Ying-yen tabled a motion urging the Government to form short and long-term strategies to stimulate the economy and lower unemployment.
Many companies were in difficulty or had ceased trading because of the economic situation, he said.
The Democrat, Huang Chen-ya, added a clause to Mr Tang's motion demanding that the Government renounce the high land prices policy and offer tax concessions.
But business representatives and official members said these calls flew in the face of the philosophy of minimum intervention which had ruled the local economy for many years.
Jimmy McGregor, representing the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce, wondered why the Liberals had adopted a stance normally associated with the Democrats.