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Protecting David from Goliath
 I congratulate the Law Society's Ambrose Lam San-keung for helping  draft such  strong  legislation  which has actually got the attention of the Real Estate  Developers Association ('Developers turn against law to regulate flat sales', February 1). 
 REDA's reference to the release of pricing information three days prior to a sale as ''unlawful infringement of the owner's rights' to use or dispose of flats' is irrational to say the least. Is REDA inferring that a ban on inflating of gross floor area is an infringement of 'freedom of expression'? If this is the case, it shows just how far REDA will go to prevent  fair and clear communication between developer and buyer, and demonstrates the need for such legislation.
This law is nothing more than a piece of legislation designed to keep the big guy (developers) honest in order to offer protection for the little guy (buyers). Is that too much to ask? REDA says that the legislation  'would not survive a constitutional challenge apart  from the objective to protect buyers'.  This is exactly why this legislation is needed, to protect buyers from those developers  who see a need to misrepresent. Is this not what government is supposed to do, protect the Davids from the Goliaths?
Democrat legislator Lee Wing-tat, recognising REDA's new approach as 'far from rational',  demonstrates his ability to represent the people on such an important basic issue - clear communication between buyer and seller. 
Perhaps the real reason REDA is so upset is that the proposed maximum penalty of seven years' jail and a HK$5 million fine is not just a slap on the hand but has actual teeth, as it should.
Omer Quenneville, Mid-Levels
Doors help with suicide prevention
The comments of Doug Miller are not uncommon ('Platform doors are pointless', January 25), but are not based on  science. 
Setting physical barriers by installing platform screen doors  is one of the most effective measures in preventing falls onto railway tracks. 
The physical barriers restricting access can eliminate the chance of injury due to accidental fall and/or suicide and provide a much safer environment to the public, especially in congested Hong Kong. 
Our centre's research shows that the number of railway injuries were reduced by 67.5 per cent for suicide and some 70 per cent for accidents between the pre and post  screen-door installation period, 1997-2001 and 2003-2007 respectively. There is no obvious  substitute.
We agree that simply restricting that availability has limited effect on suicidal thoughts but a delay in accessing the means of suicide provides a wider window of opportunity for intervention.  
Moreover, the presence of these doors may even alter people's perception about the desirability of railway suicide. 
Also, incidents on the tracks can have a ripple effect. They can cause severe psychological trauma to the train driver and the  many bystanders who have witnessed the incident. 
 In addition, there would be disruptions to that route for several hours which would have implications for large parts of the railway network.  
Therefore, despite the high installation cost of platform screen doors, our study has shown it is still cost-effective, based on the World Health Organisation standard and from a larger societal perspective in which the interests of victims, railway operators and passengers are taken into consideration. 
How much we care for the vulnerable is a reflection of  the core values of a civilised society. We  must also increase community awareness of the urgent need for suicide prevention. It is  unfortunate that the MTR Corporation  is delaying installing doors on the East Rail and Ma On Shan lines until the early 2020s. 
The centre estimates  that over the next 10 years, assuming the epidemiological pattern on railway injury remains unchanged,  there will be 30 suicides, 40 suicide attempts, 52 accidents, 700 years of disability life years and 18,000 minutes of service time will be lost. 
Paul Yip, director, Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention, University of Hong Kong; Stephen Law, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies, Chinese University 
No cuts to popular drama series
 We refer to the letter by Beatriz Taylor ('Excellent series victim of stupid cuts', January 30) in which she said that the costume drama series Downton Abbey was edited before being broadcast on our Pearl channel.
We can assure her that the whole miniseries, which garnered six Emmy Awards in 2011 and is this year's Golden Globe winner for best miniseries, is broadcast in its entirety on Pearl without excisions. We only break for commercials.
Winnie Ho, senior manager, corporate and community relations department, TVB
Recycling measures not good enough
 I agree with Marco Veringa ('Providing adequate recycling facilities far more effective than waste charges', January 18). Our government feels mandatory measures are needed to tackle our environmental problems. I think this is a short-sighted view. 
Many citizens see the need for urgent action, but it is the government which has failed to do enough.  
 For example, in my building the recycling bins are always full. They are not large enough to meet basic recycling needs. As your correspondent mentioned, glass bottles which can be recycled end up in landfills. In some convenience stores, you can return your cleaned milk bottles. Why can't this be extended?  
 Fast-paced Hong Kong people dispose of a lot of styrofoam and none of it can be recycled locally due to the lack of relevant technology. Innovation and technology and environmental industry  were two of the new pillar industries proposed by the government. But there is still a great deal of room for improvement in these areas.  
 The government has failed with some environmental policies, such as modest revised air quality targets and its idling engine ban with so many exemptions. It is time for a change of attitude from our officials. 
Eunice Cheung Hoi-ching, Tsuen Wan
Hong Kong government doing well
I refer to the letter from Jeffry Kuperus ('Competitive thanks to mainland', January 17) in reply to my letter ('Some deny post-colonial reality of HK', January 12). 
 He referred to the airport being built under the stewardship of then governor Chris Patten. He complained about social welfare deficiencies, exorbitant room charges in private hospitals, high-priced apartments and a lame-duck chief executive.
The airport was built thanks to the city's abundant reserves, without which Mr Patten would have achieved nothing  of note except his controversial political reform package.
The chief executive is doing a fine job. Economies worldwide are still suffering from the aftermath of the financial tsunami, but the city's economy has remained buoyant. Unemployment remains low and decent social welfare is  available to people in need. Prices of apartments are high but this is compensated by a low tax regime. Private rooms in hospitals are expensive but  charges are  transparent.
The chief executive runs the administration in accordance with the Basic Law, which should not be interpreted as to 'kowtow to Beijing'. 
Unfair criticism against the chief executive may mislead the public, undermine the administration and slow down the development of democracy in this city. 
People living in cage dwellings deserve our sympathy but their future can only be changed by themselves.
 I once lived in a small cubicle in a run-down area in Sham Shui Po.  The apartment had neither a heater nor an elevator. The conditions were far worse than cage dwellings.  
However, I have worked my way up from clerk to financial controller.
Hong Kong will not deviate from a prudent monetary policy despite an abundance of reserves. We will not repeat the mistakes of countries in Europe. 
Sam Wong, Tsim Sha Tsui 
Insulting remarks spark hatred
 I think many Hongkongers would share my indignation at Professor Kong Qingdong's insulting remarks on YouTube  ('HK people labelled as dogs by mainlander', January 21). 
His remarks have aroused hatred and surely go beyond the bounds of legitimate free speech.  
What is even more worrying is that some mainlanders may sympathise with his comments. The growing integration between Hong Kong and the mainland since the handover  has not enhanced mutual understanding but shown a clash of values.  
Michael Ko, Sham Shui Po



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