Hui seeks compromise in soft-sell pitch on reform

Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan yesterday stepped up his soft-sell strategy on the political reform package and urged democrat lawmakers to compromise and accept the proposals.

Likening himself to a salesman, Mr Hui said: 'You need to believe in your product ... Having played a part in designing the product, I know its merits.'

The blueprint for the 2007-08 elections, among other things, gives the 529 district councillors all five extra functional constituency seats in an expanded legislature and seats on an expanded Election Committee that will choose the next chief executive.

But Mr Hui - who said on Wednesday he would have to beg for votes in the Legislative Council to give him the required two-thirds backing for the proposals - would not say if it was up for bargaining.

'I don't see the need for changes to the major elements,' he said, instead urging democrat lawmakers to compromise. 'A certain degree of compromise is inevitable. I hope people will realise the difficulties in coming up with this package, which represents the best balance.'

Addressing a Hong Kong Newspaper Society luncheon, Mr Hui hinted the package could not just cater for the demands of the 25 democrats but had to take into account pro-government lawmakers who might vote otherwise.

He said the proposals had not come easily, as there were still sceptics in the business sector who valued prosperity more than democracy.