Ministerial system has its limits, admits aide

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's ministerial system will not solve all the problems that have plagued the administration over the past five years, a top aide to Mr Tung has admitted.

But Constitutional Affairs Secretary Michael Suen Ming-yeung said the reform would be a right and necessary step towards greater democratisation.

Mr Suen was responding after Democratic Party legislator Yeung Sum said at a forum that the new system would only enable a leader who was not democratically elected to centralise power.

Mr Suen said: 'Although we have limitations, we can't afford not to make the first step.

'It doesn't mean that the first step we make will resolve all problems. But this is a step in the right direction. Some may say the step is too small while others may say it's too big. It doesn't matter.

'We are moving a step forward which will create more room. Once we have room and good results, then we can take another step. That's what we call moving progressively. That's our way of doing things.'

The system, to come into effect on July 1, will see ministers heading 11 portfolios. They will no longer be civil servants but will report directly to Mr Tung and shoulder political responsibility for any blunders.