Trust of the people rests on them always being fully consulted
- Criticism by some parties that they have been left in the dark by authorities over a mega Hong Kong project does not bode well for unity or harmony
Public consultation is an important part of policymaking. It gives people a voice and lets them feel counted in the process of governance. It also helps build consensus and make decisions in line with people’s aspirations and needs.
The Hong Kong government has a tradition of engaging stakeholders on different matters, although it has resulted in criticism from time to time.
The latest controversy involves the Lantau Tomorrow Vision, a HK$580 billion artificial islands project to help meet development needs in the next few decades.
Critics say the government has deliberately adopted a low-key consultation approach to avoid disputes, but officials are adamant that the exercise has reached out to the community, and point to the number of meetings, submissions, exhibition attendances and online page views as proof.
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Whether the government has resorted to any manipulative tactics is a matter of judgment. But given the scale and impact of such a mega project, officials could have been more proactive in explaining its details.
Not only should the government listen to different views, and be seen to be doing so, but also adjustments have to be made when public feedback warrants them.
Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho has said it is now time to gather ideas on how to carry out the project successfully, rather than whether to go ahead with it. To what extent the views of the public will be taken on board will be closely watched.
Unlike Britain and other countries, where protocols on conducting public consultations are well established, the Hong Kong government apparently has no standard practice.
A recent analysis by the Post found there had been an apparent fall in the number of public consultations in recent years. As of April, six exercises had been conducted this year, compared to eight in 2020, 20 in 2021 and 14 last year. The numbers appear to be smaller than the range of some two dozen to 31 consultations between 2014 and 2018.
While figures are probably related to the agenda and priorities of the administration at the time, it does not bode well for public trust and support if officials are seen as less willing to listen to the people.
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At stake are relations between the government and the people. There are concerns that more policies and decisions are seemingly being made with little room for discussion.
Those who believe they can no longer help shape development as before are becoming increasingly frustrated and filled with despair. Such feelings are hardly conducive to fostering a sense of belonging, as well as unity and harmony, among the public.
It is imperative for officials to better engage the people so as to renew trust in the government and hope in the future of Hong Kong.
