Tung Chee-hwa yesterday vowed to act on laws rushed through by the disbanded legislative council in its final sittings.
Addressing the local media, the Chief Executive attacked former legislators for ramming through several bills in the last days of British rule.
He asked: 'How many laws can you pass in two or three weeks - some of them without proper study, certainly without proper consultation? 'Many of them will have long-term implications. But each one of those laws and amendments is being studied. We will do what is necessary to protect this community.' He did not specify any particular laws for scrutiny, but the new legislation covered various subjects from workers' rights and phone-tapping to sexual discrimination.
In his first press conference since taking office, Mr Tung sailed through grillings on issues ranging from democracy to property prices, the future of foreigners and family passports.
He was tired but jovial, saying he wanted a good sleep after 36 hours of ceremonies and celebrations.
He said Hong Kong people should try to understand the mainland before challenging its policies and development.
'Hong Kong has been separated from the motherland for some years,' he said. 'I don't think the people of Hong Kong know the motherland very well.' It might not be appropriate for people to raise questions on development in China if they did not understand it, he said.
