The controversy over the means test for the proposed Old Age Living Allowance has intensified in the last few weeks.
Senior officials have frequently attended public forums and media interviews to defend their stance. They cited the ageing-population trend and the sustainability of public finances as reasons for introducing the means test.
But, despite their lobbying, lawmakers from some political parties have been unwilling to compromise.
This situation is similar to that of five years ago when then- chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen proposed increasing the old age allowance for recipients over the age if 70, but wanted to have a means test.
He finally yielded to political pressure and waived this requirement.
Those lawmakers who were against the means test gained their political popularity at the expense of taxpayers.
