Former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang yesterday urged the government to spell out a clear timetable on constitutional reform, even if universal suffrage of the chief executive took place after 2007.
Mrs Chan, speaking at a seminar organised by the Financial Career Institute, called for the formation of a forum to let different sectors of the community discuss Hong Kong's constitutional development.
She said some supported the introduction of universal suffrage in 2007, while others were worried Hong Kong would be turned into a welfare state after achieving democracy.
The forum, Mrs Chan said, could allow businessmen, academics, politicians and grassroots activists to 'talk through' the issue and hopefully reach consensus on what the timetable should be.
'Even if the date for universal suffrage is beyond 2007, the government should at least indicate what the timetable will be.'
She added that the government should take steps to 'demonstrate to the people of Hong Kong that it was moving steadily in the direction of universal suffrage, which is the ultimate aim under the Basic Law'.