Officials accused of mishandling taxi blockades through inaction

Wednesday night's impromptu taxi blockades could have been prevented, pan-democrats said yesterday, had a senior official visited the scene himself.

The poor handling of the situation, and the fare-adjustment controversy which gave rise to it, once again highlighted the deficiencies in the 'accountability system', they said.

Unionist lawmaker Leung Yiu-chung who received calls from taxi drivers on Wednesday night, said the drivers could have been pacified had an official appeared to hear their concerns.

Mr Leung said he got through to Undersecretary for Transport and Housing Yau Shing-mu at around 6.30pm that evening and had been told the matter would be dealt with.

'I told him the police could not handle a political situation. I told him this was a political situation and it was his responsibility to handle this crowd's discontent,' Mr Leung said.

But when the situation worsened, Mr Leung said he could no longer reach Mr Yau, instead receiving a message saying he 'had no time to reply'.