Legco president considers restricting debate time to end filibuster over Hong Kong copyright bill
Jasper Tsang wants council to move on to other matters instead of being bogged down by debate over controversial law
The Legislative Council president has hinted he could stop the filibuster over the controversial copyright bill to get the council to move on and deal with other business in its remaining term.
But as the pan-democrats stay firm on forcing adjournments of the debate by remaining absent from meetings, it may be difficult for the president to even do so, a pro-establishment lawmaker observed.
Meanwhile, an alliance of copyright owners held an urgent meeting with lawmakers yesterday to explore room for compromise, but no consensus was reached. The government arranged the session.
The Copyright (Amendment) Bill 2014 is supported by copyright owners as they believe it will protect them against infringements, but it is opposed by internet users and pan-democrats, who have demanded further amendments for broader exemptions on fears it could be used to suppress creative freedom online.
READ MORE: Hong Kong legislature president vows to get rival camps talking as copyright bill stalls again
A day after the pan-democrats forced the council meeting to be adjourned by repeated calls for a quorum – for the second time in two months – Legco president Jasper Tsang Yok-sing held separate meetings with the two rival camps and the three pan-democrats who made the calls.
Albert Chan Wai-yip, one of the three that had sought the quorum, said after the meeting that Tsang told them he would “restrict the debate time”.