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Youth League membership unimportant
There has been some criticism of the chief executive-elect's office for appointing a mainlander as a project officer ('Leung office defends its hiring of mainlander', April 24). 
Chen Ran is not a permanent resident and she is a former member of the Communist Youth League. 
 In the Chinese-language press, it has been suggested that her appointment is a threat to the 'one country, two systems' principle.
 It is common for young people on the mainland, when they are in middle school, to join the Communist Youth League. 
It has nothing to do with your political attitudes or inclination. 
In general, the most talented students join at an early stage. 
I don't have any statistics showing the exact percentage of students who become members, but from personal experience, all of my junior middle school classmates had joined the organisation before we entered high school.
 I think this is what happens in most Chinese cities.
In fact, if any fellow students said they had not joined during the middle school period, you would think it strange.
 Perhaps those pupils had misbehaved or were radicals, but they would be the exception. 
Chen Ran's former membership of the Communist Youth League is not significant. 
Ting Pan, Kennedy Town 
Scope of our rights may be shrinking
 I refer to Peter Lok's letter ('Only abusers of rights have to be afraid', April 21) in response to my letter ('Concerned about threat to core values', April 11). 
 Your correspondent said he has 'no doubt C.Y. Leung will only be clamping down on those who have been abusing the rights that exist in Hong Kong'. 
 Certainly, it is not my point that civil rights are absolute. Abuse of rights should attract sanction. But the real issue is where the line is drawn between legitimate exercise of, and abuse of, rights.
 What matters most is that the scope of our rights may be shrinking bit by bit.
 If history is any guide, authoritarian leaders tend to exploit legal and administrative means to criminalise political dissidents. Is this the situation that we Hong Kong people are happy to see happening in our city?
 Unless we stand up against the gradual (albeit inconspicuous) diminishing of our civil rights, we would be simply like frogs put in warm water until eventually being boiled to death.
 At any rate, the real threat to our civil rights probably does not come from the chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying or his administration. 
It comes from those cynical ordinary citizens who are happy to accept the erosion of their rights while encouraging their fellow citizens to do the same.
Michael Ko, Sham Shui Po
De Waart deserves Bauhinia Star
Maestro Edo de Waart concluded his artistic directorship of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra with a trio of outstanding concerts. 
Looking back, the initial circumstances were inauspicious.
De Waart picked up the reins after the problematic tenure of his predecessor, at a time when the orchestra was a demoralised group which could barely begin and end a piece together. 
This made his considerable achievements even more remarkable.
Eight years on, the quality of the orchestra's playing of a much expanded repertoire has significantly improved, and many of the world's top soloists and conductors have made their first appearances with the orchestra in recent years.
 I can still vividly recall de Waart's stunning performance of Mahler's Symphony No 3 in 2006, which proved that the Philharmonic had finally come of age: the orchestra is now staffed by capable and confident players with a coherent sense of being an ensemble.
An orchestra plays a large role in shaping the soundscape of the city. 
The concert hall is one of the few remaining public spaces where people can pay close attention to organised sounds.
 In recognition of his efforts in enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong, I think the least the government can do is to present maestro de Waart with a Bauhinia Star award.
 Of course, the government can and should do more. Is chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying going to offer and implement a long-term cultural policy? I will keep my fingers crossed.
Eric S.K. Mok, Pok Fu Lam
Education can help curb bad drivers
I agree with those correspondents who have complained about motorists in Hong Kong who ignore traffic regulations when approaching zebra crossings. They do not slow down and fail to give right of way to pedestrians. 
However, this is just one example of drivers ignoring road rules.
 We also have a problem with people who get behind the wheel of their car when they are inebriated. This is an extremely selfish act and it ignores the safety of other road users.
 You also see some drivers jumping red lights and again putting pedestrians at risk. 
 Passengers are not blameless as many refuse to wear seat belts, even though they are required to do so, because they find it inconvenient. They do not think about the serious consequences of their actions if they are involved in an accident. 
 The government has tried to ensure motorists obey the regulations, with fines of up to HK$25,000 and three years' imprisonment for people convicted of drink-driving, but this is not enough. 
There must be a greater effort to educate drivers and raise their awareness of the relevant laws and the need to ensure road traffic safety. 
 I would also like to see more widespread use of closed-circuit television cameras to monitor motorists. 
They are more likely to obey the Road Users' Code if they think they could be caught on camera. 
Heidi Chan Hoi-ting, Lam Tin
Tougher penalties needed
'Furious driving', in which drivers cause casualties while trying to escape at high speed, such as during illegal racing, is clearly unacceptable under all circumstances. By their actions, these people put others in danger.
It is irresponsible behaviour and shows a disregard for the safety of other road users. 
When trying to evade arrest, they may end up hitting police cars. 
 Motorists found guilty of this kind of driving should face stiffer penalties, and if they reoffend, they should lose their driving licence. 
This problem is on the rise and damages the reputation of Hong Kong. 
It cannot be curbed without tougher punishment. 
Tracy Chan, Tseung Kwan O
Water taxis in harbour a good idea
 Water taxis operate in some parts of the mainland and I think it is time they were allowed in Victoria Harbour. 
They are faster than regular ferry services and would be convenient for Hongkongers who have busy lifestyles. 
They would be willing to pay the higher fare to get to their destination faster. 
I think tourists would probably still use the ferries as it would give them more time to look at the harbour.
Ferries and water taxis can coexist as they serve different purposes. 
Chan Tsun-ho, Sha Tin
Welcoming SFC's stand on bankers
The Securities and Futures Commission is finally meeting the expectations of the public with regard to possible enforcement action ('Bankers could be jailed over dodgy listings', April 20). 
It is obvious that under its new chief executive Ashley Alder, the SFC intends to remove market participants it regards as inappropriate.
 Discipline must be enforced with strict penalties so that future participants do not underestimate the serious consequences of breaking the law. 
Under the new government of Leung Chun-ying, I do expect the SFC to have greater powers to pursue those it suspects of being involved in criminal activities. 
 The picture now looks a lot clearer to ordinary citizens who want a safer market that they can trust.  
Rishi Teckchandani, Mid-Levels



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Leung Chun-ying (CY Leung)

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