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SCMP Reporter

Should the monorail be extended beyond Kai Tak?
 I support the suggestion to extend this project ('Plan for Kai Tak monorail may be extended into east Kowloon', March 25), as   building the monorail will help to reduce traffic problems in Kai Tak.
 Given that the government plans to build a cruise terminal at Kai Tak, there will be a lot of tourists. 
 Kai Tak covers a fairly extensive area, therefore, it would be difficult for visitors to get around on foot and they will need some form of transport. If they all take taxis there will be traffic jams, which will be time-consuming  for the visitors and for residents. 
Another advantage is that the monorail will be environmentally friendly. 
Such transport systems do not emit any greenhouse gases, so it will not contribute to  air pollution  and help the government achieve the aims set out in its Action Blue Sky Campaign.   
I do hope that if the project does go ahead, it will be extended. 
Austin Wong, Sheung Shui
Should there be more facilities for cyclists?
 Given that cycling is so environmentally friendly, I think the government should ensure it has more facilities for cyclists. 
The use of more bicycles is one factor that can help achieve the aim of sustainable development. 
Bicycles do not create any greenhouse gas emissions and unlike cars, taxis and buses, they do not contribute to our air pollution.
 Young people and adults who do not have long distances to travel when they commute from their homes to schools and offices can take a bicycle. 
Also cycling will provide Hong Kong  residents with a better opportunity to exercise. A lot of Hongkongers are under severe pressure. Exercising can help them relieve some of that stress. So cycling will be beneficial to their health. 
A bicycle is a common means of  transport  in Japan, therefore, there is no reason for us not to follow suit. 
Lee Ho-yin, Sha Tin
On other matters ...
 I refer to the report ('Curtain rope strangles baby', March 25) on the tragic accidental death of an 18-month-old boy in Discovery Bay on Tuesday. 
I preface this with the disclaimer that I do not know the family involved, although I live within sight of their home and am a member of the Discovery Bay Marina Club.  
I can only hope Against Child Abuse director Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun-kai  was quoted out of context and was not familiar with the particular circumstances. The blanket response given would have been suited to a case of a child, or children, neglectfully left at home alone,  certainly not the case  here. The report's segue from tragic accident to a 'child abuse' angle was at best irrational and at its worst cruel.
There has been no suggestion made that the child in question was 'left unattended'. He was attended by his helper. He was in his cot, presumably at his  usual nap time, and there has been no report the helper left the premises. The understanding is  this was a tragic accident involving a curtain cord near the cot. More appropriate additional commentary, if indeed it was at all necessary to augment the facts,  might have focused on the need for continual vigilance by carers in providing safe sleeping environments for children.
Responsible and sensitive reporting should seek to identify timely reminders for the community at large, not negative sensationalism.
Natalia Veldman, Discovery Bay
I refer to the report ('Curtain rope strangles baby', March 25). You quoted Against Child Abuse director Priscilla Lui  who said: 'We should not leave our children unattended for any period.' 
She called for 'a new law to punish childminders  and parents who fail to provide proper care to their children'.
The way the article is worded and structured with Mrs Lui's opinions implies that the helper and the parents were negligent in this scenario when there is no basis for this generalised judgment. 
You should have used better judgment when printing this article and considered the parents who have just been devastated by the loss of their son through a tragic accident, which in the space of a few minutes has changed their lives forever. 
Gary Fraser, Discovery Bay
 Your report ('Curtain rope strangles baby', March 25) did not convey a full picture of my remarks made and thus my comments quoted unfortunately appeared generalised and insensitive, if not unkind.
Though I was given some facts of the very sad death of the baby and was aware that a  childminder  was there, I did clearly state that I was not in a position to comment on the case as without detailed facts of the family and what happened, such comments would be undesirable. But  every child matters and a child is dead. Any child's death is for the relevant parties such as the police, medical  and/or social welfare personnel to follow up and investigate before deciding upon the nature, contributing factors and surrounding circumstances and ensuring that family members are properly involved and supported.
With no intention to blame or cause further pain and trauma to this family, as a child advocate Against Child Abuse does see a preventive angle for the general public and policymakers.  We reiterated the importance of quality childcare and supervision. 
Though it is  recognised that having a child followed 24 hours a day is impractical and unwise, parents and care givers must heighten vigilance of care to ensure the home and other environments are safe and child-friendly.   
It was in this context that the issue of unattended children and recommendations regarding policies, resource improvements and practices were raised.
Priscilla Lui Tsang Sun-kai, director, Against Child Abuse Ltd



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