We don't need actors or heroes
There has been much talk about the new political landscape since September's Legislative Council election. Certainly, colourful new personalities have taken centre stage in the legislature, which many have long considered a dull and boring place. This certainly spices things up. And in many ways, I hear Shakespeare's famous lines from As You Like It in all of this:
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts
As the new legislators prepare for the work that lies ahead, my wish is that each one will take his or her part in the council seriously, and take him or herself less seriously.
I say this because, as a new member, people have entrusted me and my colleagues with their confidence and expectations. We should think only of the interests of others - the Hong Kong people.
During the election campaign, my health barred me from taking an active part. While in hospital, I rediscovered why novels are such treasures in life. More importantly, the past few months have reacquainted me with the importance of taking real life seriously and being very careful not to mix fantasy with reality, especially where the public is concerned. After all, conspiracy theories make for interesting reading in novels. In reality, and in the politics of the council, they are distracting and destructive. What we need, especially now, are down-to-earth policymakers and lawmakers, not public servants aspiring to be action heroes.
Drawing up conspiracy theories seems to be a political pastime for politicians; they yield better publicity returns. It is no wonder that many people found the last election an odd one - there were no issues. Real issues, concerning our way of life and livelihood, were not discussed. Most candidates, including those from the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong, chose not to debate them. I do not see how I could look my voters in the eye if I do not put myself and the rest of my team to work during the next four years. The DAB truly believes that we must advance democracy with stability and build our future based on harmony. Instability breeds economic crisis, which bring about more instability - a reality that no amount of rhetoric can solve, and which no superhero can save us from. So we have a lot to do, and we plan to do it. While the DAB has the largest number of seats in the council, it does not mean we can dominate things. Dominance has never been our goal.
My party will do all it takes to work with every councillor, despite our differences of opinion. We will do what we can to co-operate - to come up with the best solutions to our many problems. Hong Kong's lawmaking body does not need heroes, martyrs, crusaders, warriors or dramatists. Our prosperity, stability and democracy leave us little room for pranks or public displays of our creative talents, whatever they may be.
At this crucial time in our democratic development, it is that much more important to show not only Beijing, but all the different parts of the world - which are waiting for our missteps - that our differences will lead to better decisions. That begins with more effective scrutiny of government policies; it continues with non-self-serving deliberation in the chambers; and it ends in the good of the public, instead of playing up our differences - which would effectively lead to the chamber's implosion.
When all lawmakers can focus on the future of Hong Kong, and stop pursuing their own selfish ambitions, then we will begin to make real progress on every front. It will all happen as you like it. You, in this case, being the people of Hong Kong.
Ma Lik is chairman of the Democratic Alliance for Betterment of Hong Kong
