Hong Kong lawmakers have ‘ears wide open’ to feedback, John Lee insists amid controversy over performance of legislators
- Recent report found two-thirds of bills passed with more than half of all councillors absent
- Legislators also plagued by cancelled concert saga, which followed row over lavish farewell dinner thrown for middle-ranking civil servant
Hong Kong lawmakers always have their “ears wide open” to feedback on what is expected of them, the city’s leader has said amid recent controversy over the performance of legislators.
“Whether it is government officials or legislative councillors ... of course they are subject to the scrutiny of members of the public and the press,” Lee said. “I’m sure that they will be having their ears wide open to listen to any opinions about what is expected.”
The performance of Hong Kong’s lawmakers came under the spotlight over the past two months after a report found at least two-thirds of bills were passed in the previous Legislative Council year with under half of all councillors present, falling short of the 45-member quorum requirement.
Last week, a charity concert expected to showcase the singing talent of government officials and 13 lawmakers was abruptly called off amid controversy over a lavish farewell dinner thrown for a middle-ranking civil servant.
Before the show’s cancellation, veteran legislator Martin Liao Cheung-kong was also understood to have warned all lawmakers in a text message to watch out for potential bad press if they received more media coverage on their entertainment engagements than their day jobs.
Asked if there was any room for lawmakers to improve, Lee on Tuesday merely said he was thankful for their views on government measures that would benefit society.