IF the Chief Executive hoped his public relations problems would be solved by the appointment of Stephen Lam Shui-lun as information co-ordinator, he underestimated the Legislative Council, which has queried the need to upgrade the post to policy secretary status, with a salary of $181,050 a month. The resulting wrangle has emerged as the latest in a string of disputes between the executive and the legislature which, given its limited powers, appears to be taking every opportunity to assert itself.
There are good arguments in favour of installing a powerful information co-ordinator in Mr Tung's own office, able not only to show the Chief Executive in a good light and to promote his policies but also to take a pro-active, pre-emptive approach to the dissemination of unpleasant news. Repeatedly, Mr Tung's information machine, as well as his own reluctance to push himself forward and lead from the front, have left the Government looking weak and defensive over issues on which it could have emerged in a much better light had they been handled with confidence and style.
So it is clear this is an important job which involves burnishing the image not only of the Chief Executive and the administration, but, through them, of Hong Kong as a whole. The arguments about the respective merits of Singapore and the SAR provides a prime example of the need for a senior official who will marshal the case for Hong Kong and ensure it is properly enunciated at a high level.
The job requires strong political, presentational and interpersonal skills, forward thinking and above all a cool head. Whoever takes it must have the authority to guide the Information Services as well as to pull rank with obstructive elements in Mr Tung's personal team for it is no secret that some senior colleagues in his office have, in effect, acted as obstacles to the collection and dissemination of information.
Against such a background of obvious need, the Government might be tempted to accuse legislators of deliberate obstructionism. Yet to do so would be to miss some important issues. Legislators are right to ask questions and should certainly be allowed the time to discuss the matter before Mr Lam's promotion is put through the council next week.
It is not the need for an authoritative information co-ordinator legislators are questioning. On the contrary, many have been pressing for such an appointment ever since the handover. What is at issue is whether there is justification for creating a post at such a senior level, whether Mr Lam is the right person for the job, and whether the legislature should be treated as a rubber stamp for a decision already taken by Mr Tung.
