IN an innovative move, independent legislator Christine Loh Kung-wai yesterday published an alternative policy address, calling for greater input from the community in shaping government policy.
She conceded that although the role of the Legislative Council was restricted under the Basic Law, it should be able to contribute more by making alternative suggestions on how Hong Kong should be governed.
Ms Loh said the process of the formulation of the Governor's Policy Address was in essence 'controlled by a very small number of people'.
'Can it be sufficient, in any society with any pretensions to democratic values, for legislators and for public opinion merely to be able to say 'yes' or 'no' to bills and ideas that are put before them? 'Surely, it cannot be sufficient to leave so much strategic power in the hands of the unelected administration,' she wrote in the preface of her 83-article policy speech.
Outlining her address to a group of government officials, Legco colleagues, Executive Councillors and journalists inside the Legco chamber, Ms Loh said politics had arrived in the territory.
Legco should act as an 'opposition' and make alternative ideas for the possible routes of the development of Hong Kong.
Ms Loh's report coincided with the publication of a government progress report on the performance of the administration under Governor Chris Patten.