LettersHong Kong needs its best of the best in public service: pay cuts are hardly an incentive
- While serving in public office should be a reward in itself, we should not ask our future politicians to forego their lifestyles or normal career progression
While we expect serving in public office to be a reward in itself, we should not ask our politicians-to-be to forego their lifestyles or normal career progression, as it will make it more difficult to attract talent to the public service.
Alex Lo quotes the examples of some legislators (and there are more) who are considerably well-off, but fails to consider the others.
Some legislators might have had a prominent career in the private sector and being able to hold public office is already quite an indication of their capacity. Even district councillors who have other positions (public or private) are giving up precious time in their daily lives for the public good. And, by any standard, public office is unfortunately no longer the desire of everyone, even those who clearly have the interests of the people at heart.