The governing authority of the administration has come under fierce attack in recent weeks. The New Year's Day marchers, calling for universal suffrage in 2012, took their protest to the central government's liaison office instead of to the Hong Kong government headquarters in Central, hence undercutting the power of the administration. There have been heated demonstrations against the construction of the controversial cross-border express railway link, which reached boiling point yesterday. At this critical point, when the government is most vulnerable, the last thing we need is internal disorder at the highest level. Executive Councillor Leung Chun-ying published an article this week in the quarterly Hong Kong Journal, a US online publication, criticising government policy. As convenor of the non-official members of Exco, Leung is a member of Hong Kong's cabinet, which is the backbone of the administration. He chose this moment to attack the government, saying that its policy has failed to address worsening social problems, thus alienating the majority of the population. Leung's words have provided endless fodder for conspiracy theorists. In the article, Leung said that 90 per cent of Hongkongers feel 'entirely disengaged from the world-leading financial services economy being challenged by Shanghai', and that most government polices have not benefited them. Understandably, because of Leung's Exco role, his criticism has caused substantial damage to the governing authority of the chief executive and his government. Leung is not a top official, but being an Exco convenor is equivalent to the role of the senior Exco member in pre-handover Hong Kong. The truth is that Leung has a history of challenging the administration. He has been vocal on social issues such as the minimum wage legislation. But, this time, he has not only embarrassed the government, his conduct has also breached the rule of collective responsibility for Exco members. Exco is the highest policymaking body in Hong Kong. Its members have to keep all decisions confidential and must publicly support government policies. Now, Leung seems to have turned against the government by openly criticising its policies. To be honest, I don't believe Leung is anti-government per se. He is only setting the stage for the 2012 chief executive election by trying to address social issues. By putting his views forward on these issues, Leung has certainly increased his popularity, thus building up firepower for the chief executive race. Leung is undeniably among the cream of the crop. He was handpicked and meticulously groomed in the colonial years, straddling the handover to become a future leader. He was the secretary general of the Basic Law Consultative Committee and was highly regarded by Lu Ping , the former director of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. At one point, he was tipped to become the first chief executive of Hong Kong. Unfortunately, his strong points became his political baggage as a general perception formed that he was in the pocket of Chinese leaders, and that he was only riding the political gravy train. Honestly speaking, had he wanted to contribute more, he would have been made a minister in the Hong Kong government a long time ago. And, if he really wanted to serve the people, he could have run in any Legislative Council election. Leung has invested a lot of effort trying to buff up his image, but he shouldn't have done so by ruining that of the government. He certainly shouldn't have gone to a US publication, as it gave the impression that he was siding with foreigners by badmouthing his own people. Has he forgotten that he and other pro-Beijing critics have, in the past, branded democrats traitors when they asked the US government to push China to allow Hong Kong more democracy? I believe that, in the best interests of all, Leung should resign from Exco. This way, it would protect Exco's integrity and keep its rule of collective responsibility intact. Besides, it would give him the freedom and an open platform to launch his campaign for the chief executive election. This is definitely the best option for all. Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator
