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HK needs talented leaders

Alex Lo ('Hong Kong's system is running on empty', March 28) is, as ever, thought provoking, but I do not agree with his view that Hong Kong's political system is broken.

It is helpful to distinguish democracy from constitutional liberalism. These are distinct political concepts that are not immutably linked. If a country holds free and fair elections, we call it democratic. 

Constitutional liberalism, on the other hand, is not about the procedures for selecting government, but rather the protection of individual rights. It is characterised by the rule of law, a separation of powers and the upholding of economic, civil and religious liberties. 

Democracy is about the accumulation of governmental power, constitutional liberalism about its limitation.

Hong Kong has never been a democracy. But its people have, by and large, always enjoyed constitutional liberalism, symbolised not by the mass plebiscite but the impartial judge. Hong Kong is therefore a liberal autocracy. Lo says this is a hybrid form of government that is unsustainable, and that we must now choose between greater authoritarianism and full democracy.

But must we? Neither will necessarily produce better governance. 

A diminishment of judicial oversight might lead to quicker execution of government policies, but we would lose a fundamental check and balance. And I doubt the people of Hong Kong desire any erosion of their constitutional freedoms. 

As for democracy, while universal suffrage for the election of the executive and legislative branches of government is probably on its way, this is but one positive aspect of a political system, not a panacea for good governance.

Democracy does not get rid of vested interests; if anything it amplifies them. 

Governments produced by elections can be incompetent, short-sighted and cowed by vested interests. These qualities make such governments undesirable, but they do not make them undemocratic.

So it is not the political system that is at fault for Lo's perceived flaws in Hong Kong governance. We need talented leaders who can balance competing interests and implement policies for the greater good. The system does not prevent this. 

Hong Kong's liberal autocracy is a unique product of its history and circumstances. As Hong Kong moves gradually towards democracy, it will be a test case for China's political reforms. However, it is perhaps Hong Kong's constitutional liberalism that will be more important in shaping the country in years to come.

Steven Pang, Sai Kung

Leung must help ethnic minorities

I would like to congratulate Leung Chun-ying on winning the chief executive election and the defeated candidates Henry Tang Ying-yen and Albert Ho Chun-yan for their remarkable spirit. 

This was the last chief executive election under the present electoral system. 

In five years, we will have universal suffrage, which will reflect the true mandate of Hongkongers. 

I am a South Asian educationist and have worked in government and government-aided schools since 1997. 

I hope that the new establishment under Leung's leadership will formulate an effective policy to address the grievances of the ethnic minorities, particularly in education, health and employment. 

Funds have been allocated for the betterment of ethnic minorities over the past few years; however, these funds have been largely ineffective. Leung's team will have to address this problem and ensure that taxpayers' money is used effectively. 

Tahir Nadeem, Sai Wan Ho

MTR's fare hike cannot be justified

I wish to express my views on the latest proposal to increase fares on the MTR network ('MTR fares poised to increase by 5.4pc in June', March 27). 

I am sure most readers, like me, have to get the MTR to work every day. It is an essential part of Hong Kong's public transport.

However, the MTR Corporation raises fares on an annual basis and this imposes a serious financial burden on many of its passengers. 

In coming up with its fare rise proposals, the MTR Corp fails to consider the ability of users of the network to pay the increase. 

It should accept that, as a company, it has a duty to recognise the importance of corporate social responsibility. 

Also, there have been some delays on the system and therefore it should not be raising fares when passengers continue to experience these problems. 

And we are still waiting for the installation of screen doors at all stations of the East Rail and Ma On Shan lines, with the MTR Corp citing technical problems. 

Until it implements the necessary improvements, it should not be allowed to increase fares. 

The government should look at the agreed adjustment mechanism. When it has made a substantial profit, the MTR Corp should not be allowed to raise tariffs. 

Michael Yim, Ma On Shan

Seized bikes should be recycled

What an embarrassing story about bicycles near the ferry pier at Yung Shue Wan ('Bike seizures anger Lamma cyclists', March 29). 

Over the past few weeks, we have read reports about landfill sites close to capacity while recycling plants are struggling for business; child obesity partly related to a sedentary lifestyle; limited prospects for low- income families; and no employment for asylum seekers who survive at subsistence levels. 

How can the government authorities justify seizing the bicycles with only two days' notice and then crush them? 

Surely, impounding the bikes would have been the first logical step. 

Unclaimed bikes should have been recycled, and that does not mean that they had to be destroyed. They could have been donated to an appropriate organisation as is, or fixed so that they could be put back on the road. 

Eileen Marion, Pok Fu Lam

Opposed to earlier date for exams

I will be sitting the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam next year and am concerned about proposals to start a week earlier and get students to sit papers for compulsory subjects within a day. 

I appreciate an A-level exam would last six hours, but we will be in Form Six and will lack the necessary public exam experience. 

We are already under a lot of pressure, as the results will determine whether or not we get a university place.

The universities want an earlier timetable for the exams, but I think the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority will have to come up with a better idea. 

Nancy Siu, Sha Tin



Letters