The pan-democratic camp is expected to announce today whether it will support the controversial covert surveillance bill when it is put to Legco on Wednesday, after a meeting with the secretary for security ended in a stalemate.
The verdict is expected to be 'no', but the various parties are still discussing voting strategies.
With only 25 votes, their decision is unlikely to upset the government's bid to pass the law before a court-imposed deadline of August 8. The Alliance, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong and the Liberal Party have all pledged their support.
Emerging from an hour-long session with Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, five pan-democratic camp lawmakers expressed disappointment at the government's refusal to include a sunset clause in the controversial law. The clause, which would effectively provide an expiry date for the legislation, is touted as a win-win solution by the lawmakers.
'We are extremely disappointed that he has absolutely rejected what would have been a solution so that law enforcement authorities would not have a legal vacuum on one hand, while on the other hand the public would have a chance to voice their views,' said Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee of the Civic Party.
The Frontier's Emily Lau Wai-hing said members would discuss the issues with their respective parties and the pan-democratic camp could make an announcement this afternoon on whether it would vote for the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Bill when the second reading of the bill resumes next week.