Extradition bill fiasco exposes Carrie Lam’s disconnection with Hong Kong people, senior civil servants say
- Officials suggest her failure to relate to ordinary Hongkongers is a cause of the sorry saga, but believe she has learned lessons
- The chief executive writes to all civil servants admitting she misjudged the sensitivities surrounding her fugitive proposals
Senior civil servants fear the extradition bill saga has exposed the Hong Kong leader's lack of connection with the people, but believe she has been humbled by the setback.
Civil Service unions expect the government, which is struggling to restore public trust in the wake of the controversy, to face mounting challenges and difficulties in the next few years.
In a letter to all civil servants on Tuesday night, Carrie Lam admitted she had displayed inadequate judgment over the sensitivity of the bill, which would allow the city to transfer fugitives to jurisdictions, including mainland China, where there was no arrangement.
Her letter was sent hours after she offered her “most sincere” public apology at a press conference on the mishandling of the controversial legislation.
“This incident had made me realise that, as chief executive, I still have much to learn and do in better balancing diverse interests, in listening more to all walks of life and in taking our society forward,” she wrote.