I share Bess Tsang's view that the means test for the proposed HK$2,200-a-month old age subsidy should not be abolished ("Why means test must not be scrapped", October 22).
Statistics show that there is great financial inequality in Hong Kong.
Therefore, it is essential for the government to introduce a basket of measures to reverse, or at least to mitigate, the trend.
An old age subsidy should be seen as a positive way to help seniors experiencing financial difficulties. But if the test was to be scrapped, even some of our richest tycoons would be entitled to receive the HK$2,200, which defies the purpose of the subsidy. This would constitute a waste of taxpayers' money.
I cannot understand the comment of Labour Party chairman Lee Cheuk-yan that his party opposes the test because of "a matter of principle" and unionist Chan Yuen-han's view that "the government has all the capacity it needs" to introduce the subsidy without a means test ("Support grows for Leung's old age allowance", October 22). Although the government has substantial reserves, there must always be flexible and meticulous financial planning and inappropriate spending of the budget is not acceptable.
There is a pressing need for the government to implement this old age subsidy, given that more than one million people are said to be living in poverty.