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SCMP Reporter

Two political groups will each table an amendment to the motion of thanks at the Legislative Council on October 21, seeking to express their regret at the Policy Address.

 Dr Yeung Sum, vice-chairman of the Democratic Party, said the speech would not help ease economic woes and signalled a 'retrograde step in democracy'.

 Lee Cheuk-yan said The Frontier's proposed amendment would express regret that the address failed to admit or review blunders made by the Tung administration over the past year.

 'It has further dented public confidence and made long-term policies meaningless,' Mr Lee said.

 Although Mr Tung had unveiled medium or long-term proposals on tourism and high technology, many legislators worried that 'distant water won't put out a fire close at hand' while others said it lacked substance.

 Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming summarised the Policy Address in two words - 'great disappointment'.

 'It suggests to us that the Chief Executive and his senior officials do not have the pulse of the community in Hong Kong.

 'Hong Kong people are extremely concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs or having their wages cut, but we don't see anything contained in this Policy Address which would alleviate their fears,' said Mr Martin Lee.

 Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong, described the speech as having 'very well-intended objectives' to revive the economy. But he said it remained to be seen whether the Government had the ability to achieve it.

 Ambrose Lau Hon-chuen, chairman of the Hong Kong Progressive Alliance, described the address as 'pragmatic and visionary', and said the measures would restore public confidence.

 Liberal Party vice-chairman Ronald Arculli said: 'The Government's ability to stimulate the economy in the short term is always very limited.

 'In terms of the short-term help that the business sector would be looking for, we are a little disappointed in the lack of initiatives in that direction.' 



Political groups say 'thanks, but no thanks'