A MOTION pressing Chief Executive-designate Tung Chee-hwa to change proposed tight restrictions on civil liberties was rejected yesterday.
The call by Bruce Liu Sing-lee of the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood said Mr Tung's office should not impose restrictions on freedom of association and assembly tighter than current legislation.
But Mr Liu's attempt was defeated by an amendment from Elsie Tu, who suggested the legal changes were necessary to strike a balance between civil liberties and social order.
'When we make law, it should be reasonable. Mr Tung donated GBP50,000 [HK$623,000] to the British Conservative Party,' Mr Liu said. 'Has he ever influenced Britain's politics? 'Is it reasonable for him to prohibit local political groups from receiving donations?' he asked.
Mr Liu also criticised the definition of 'national security' in Mr Tung's consultation document as too vague and unclear.
Mrs Tu argued: 'What is meant by 'unreasonable' and how does one measure unreasonableness? 'Is it reasonable, for example, to relax the law to the extent that demonstrators may take to the streets whenever or wherever they please, regardless of any nuisance they may cause to the public?' Mrs Tu said it was necessary to maintain public order, and prevent overseas political parties from interfering in local politics by donating funds.
