The SAR Government, in seeking the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee to reinterpret the Basic Law, has made a very unwise decision. By doing so, the Hong Kong administration is taking the easy way out to try and solve a long-term problem. It also shows that it is not capable of handling its own affairs. Since day one of taking the reins in the SAR, the Government has repeatedly shown itself to be incompetent. Of all the mistakes that it has made, this is probably the biggest. It is selling out the birthright of Hong Kong people. The separation of power between the executive, legislature and Judiciary has been erased. This separation of power is the essence of a checks and balances system in any democracy. Now no one can be assured of protection under the law, because the Government can change the meaning of the law under which a citizen is protected when it does not suit its purpose. Judicial independence guaranteed fairness to all under the confines of the existing law, but this has now been destroyed. Many Hong Kong people, like officials, are apprehensive about the influx of mainland Chinese. They have taken a very pessimistic view of this group of people, deciding that they will be a burden to society. No doubt, to begin with, they would be, as they adapted to their new environment. But, as with any issue, we should be looking at the pros as well as the cons. Hong Kong people seem to have forgotten their roots. They forget that their forefathers were also from the mainland. And if this earlier group of immigrants contributed to the prosperity that Hong Kong enjoys today, what makes people in the SAR think this fresh group of migrants would not also benefit Hong Kong? Because of this prejudice against mainland Chinese and the perceived social problems they bring, and economic considerations, Hong Kong people and the SAR Government are willing to sacrifice their legal rights for short-term relief. This is a sad beginning to an unfolding tragedy. Asking the NPC Standing Committee to reinterpret the law will set a very unwelcome precedent for future issues that may arise. Although the Hong Kong Government promised that it would not use this avenue to solve future legal issues, we all know how much weight its promises carry. Government officials have frequently made contradictory statements on this issue. At the moment, it appears as if Hong Kong is trying to operate under the principle of 'one country, one system' rather than 'one country, two systems', even though the latter was guaranteed by the PRC Government. Through these columns, let me ask those people in Hong Kong who have supported the move to reinterpret the Basic Law, if the real motive for advocating this move, is their prejudice against the mainland Chinese. If this is the case, you are paying a high price for your prejudice. KAREN KWAN New Territories
