Public expects Legco to follow due process
- Hong Kong’s leader may think life will be a lot easier without an effective opposition in the legislature, but the pro-Beijing camp can expect to be held accountable if it passes unpopular bills
With the city in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic for more than a year, it is easy to forget that many outstanding issues remain in the in tray of Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
Addressing the Legislative Council for the first time in months on Thursday, the chief executive was keen to show that it was business as usual for her government, perhaps even better, following the mass resignation of pan-democrat lawmakers.
Not only was she noticeably more at ease when answering the questions of allies, but also she said some controversial policies would be pushed through now that there was no opposition standing in the way.
The five legislative amendments slated for the extended Legco term are sweeping and controversial. They include mandating oaths of allegiance for district councillors, regulating doxxing, allowing overseas doctors to practise here, imposing rent controls at subdivided flats and strengthening fire safety in old buildings.
The agenda, Lam said, was in response to what she called existing consensus among lawmakers.
Whether there are more pressing issues for Legco business is a matter of discussion. Lam conceded that some bills would never be tabled if opposition lawmakers were still in the chamber. “We will not kneel down this time,” she said.
That the government should take advantage of the new balance of power to get on with some tough policies is to be expected. But Lam must not underestimate the challenges ahead, as some bills are highly contentious.
She may think the rare passage of a motion of thanks for her policy address in November bodes well, but the pro-Beijing camp is increasingly coming under pressure to show it is not a rubber stamp. Its members will be held accountable if they pass bills and funding that lack wide public support.
There were times when the opposition went too far and made the legislature dysfunctional, but there is more to effective governance than just breezing through the bills process. Lam said with Legco now “back to normal”, she hoped it would provide checks and balances while working with the administration.
It is important that legislation and funding continue to follow a due process, with the details carefully scrutinised.
