The chief executive's decision to amend some controversial sections of the national security bill has failed to pacify opponents of the new legislation. Catholic Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun said the government's decision to push ahead with its attempts to have the laws passed by Wednesday was unwise. 'Why take the risk? Why is July 9 so sacred? It would be better to shelve it and allow more time for everyone to discuss it,' Bishop Zen said. Albert Chen Hung-yee, a law professor at the University of Hong Kong and a member of the Basic Law Committee, said he also could not understand the government's desire the rush to legislate when mainland authorities had indicated, through the Liberal Party chief, they did not have a timetable. He said that unless the government could convince the public there was a need for urgency, it would not be able to win back the people's confidence. Democrat legislator Szeto Wah, who is also head of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China, condemned Mr Tung for failing to listen to the public. 'He has not made any concession at all nor has he listened to public opinion. He is beyond redemption,' Mr Szeto said. 'He said he had held discussions with a lot of people. But when the Democratic Party asked to meet him, he said he could only meet us tomorrow. What's the point of discussion when you've made up your mind?' The Hong Kong Journalists' Association called on legislators to support calls for a deferral of the legislative process. The group said the changes Mr Tung proposed yesterday were far from enough to protect freedom of expression and press freedom. News Executives' Association chairwoman May Chan Suk-mei welcomed the concessions, but called on the government to allow more time for discussion. But the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists welcomed Mr Tung's decision, saying the proposed amendments would be sufficient to address the industry's concerns. It said the bill had been the subject of prolonged debate and it was unnecessary to discuss it further without new grounds for complaint. Loh Chan, TVB's newsroom controller, welcomed the inclusion of 'public interest' as a defence for the disclosure of confidential official documents.
