An unprecedented sense of frustration seems to have driven some of the most vocal and resourceful sectors to resort to organised efforts to defend their rights and values, in the face of an increasingly assertive government.
A string of recent policies has left many wondering whether there remain any effective checks and balances against Tung Chee-hwa's administration.
The rift between the Government and the legal fraternity is apparently beyond repair over the right of abode issue. The Catholic Church, which had remained by and large politically neutral in the run-up to the handover, last week also joined the fray by censuring the Government's lack of respect for family values.
Meanwhile, social workers, doctors, university lecturers, municipal councillors, middle- and lower-ranking civil servants and even an alliance of 10 powerful property developers all feel they have fallen victim to the Government's misguided policies.
The administration has become not only more determined but much more dexterous in shaping public opinion. Officials appear to have learned the trick of appealing to the basic instincts of the public to get things done its way.
The threatening estimate of a flood of 1.67 million unwelcome mainlanders was enough to sway the community to accept the Government's solution to the problem, irrespective of the implications on the rule of law.
Earlier, the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance scheme was portrayed as being abused by lazy and irresponsible recipients from the mainland, resulting in overwhelming public support to cut back the subsidies.