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People need more than 'personal' assurances

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Why you can trust SCMP

I have watched several of Tung Chee-hwa's recent interviews with the media and continue to be impressed with his genuine manner and his tireless work for a peaceful transition, after all, 'blessed are the peacemakers'.

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It is because Mr Tung seems so sincere, that I wonder if he is aware that one of his repeated assurances to the media actually causes more anxiety rather than comfort to ordinary people like me. Mr Tung emphasised several times in interviews that he 'personally' would not allow the repetition of June 4 here or that he 'personally' would not allow martyrs to be made of such and such.

I welcome his personal view, but placing emphasis on it only serves to drive home the fact that our freedoms are purely subject to the goodwill of Mr Tung.

It raises the question - what would happen if his successors were to be less benevolent? Next time such questions arise, I hope Mr Tung will instead explain to the media how Hong Kong's systems - political, government, legal etc - with the appropriate checks and balances in place etc, would prevent June 4 happening here.

I hope he will explain how the system rather than the individual will protect the rights of Hong Kong people. If he finds this difficult to communicate in simple terms to ordinary people, perhaps this will help him to realise why Hong Kong people are still anxious about June 4. Despite his personal willingness to lift the burden he feels from our shoulders, Mr Tung needs the right machinery with which to do it.

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M.W.K. WONG New Territories

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