The main political parties have threatened to block all government legislation and funding unless it backs their rescue package for the economy.
The warning came on the eve of meeting this afternoon between Financial Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and leaders of seven parties and groups in the new Legislative Council.
Allen Lee Peng-fei, who chairs the cross-party coalition, said the package was not up for bargaining.
'We stand together. We are committed to what we are going to do. We are not going to back down. I don't think there is anything the Government can do to break this consensus,' he said.
Mr Lee warned the administration: 'If you're not going to listen to us, we're not going to listen to you. The message is very clear. Do not present anything to the legislature because the answer is no.
'We will say no to you when you come to the finance committee for money. Don't come to the finance committee for your [salary] raises. Just don't come,' Mr Lee told Reuters.
Democratic Party vice-chairman Dr Yeung Sum said: 'The Democrats will stand firm. The Government should be careful . . . We [the seven parties] hold the majority of votes. If they do not listen to us, we will take follow-up action on matter such as the Policy Address, Budget and applications for funds.' But Chan Kam-lam of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong gave a word of caution on Mr Lee's threat. 'We may not accept threats as the means to pressure the Government,' he said.
