Lawmakers pay a visit to the new LegCo complex at the Tamar site on Friday. The chamber intended for holding plenary meetings is still under construction. Provided to China Daily

Govt given ultimatum to put new complex in order by Aug 10 for next legislative session

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Commission has handed the government an ultimatum, demanding that the building contractor on the Tamar project have all work completed and the building handed over to the LegCo by Aug 10.

If the government failed to deliver, the LegCo would almost surely abandon immediate plans to move into the new complex and prepare to carry on the next legislative session at its present chamber.

The government responded that works have been progressing satisfactorily and officials are confident the contractor will be able to meet its extended deadline of Aug 10.

The new facility was to be handed over by the end of July.

It has been the wish of Chief Executive Donald Tsang to deliver his final policy address in the new Legislative Council Chamber on Oct 12.

Nearly 20 lawmakers made another site visit to the new complex on Friday, in the company of Director of Administration Jennifer Mak to check interior works.

After the visit, lawmakers held a special LegCo Commission meeting that lasted nearly three hours.

It is understood that Mak was grilled about completion of the new chamber, access to the complex by public transport and the size of the area set aside for petitioners.

After the meeting, LegCo President Jasper Tsang told reporters that meeting facilities are the most important, but the chamber is far from complete.

Thus, lawmakers agreed to extend the deadline from the end of July to Aug 10, he said.

"If the contractor can hand over the chamber on or before that date, we can move in for the start of the new legislative session, knowing that LegCo's Secretariat needs at least three weeks for test runs of the computer system and electronic voting system," he said.

Tsang also said lawmakers are not satisfied with the public transport and petition arrangements, but the government was unable to provide concrete information at Friday's meeting.

The government wants a site for public petitions at the main entrance near the vehicles passages at the new LegCo complex.

"Lawmakers are unhappy with the site, complaining it is not big enough and may affect traffic. They also asked police to suggest viable routes for large-scale marches," he said.

On security, close-circuited television will be installed inside the new complex, including the press rooms.

Tsang said the close-circuited television saves manpower resources as the new complex is far bigger than the existing building.

"We understand the views of lawmakers, reporters and the public. If the media thinks CCTV cameras are unnecessary, we will remove them," he said.

Tsang also revealed contingency plans are in place if the relocation in September fell through.

Delayed relocation until Christmas or New Year is an option, he said, but secretariat staff may move in first while meetings continue at the old building.

Democratic Party lawmaker Fred Li said works on the walls, ceiling and floors of the chamber are still outstanding.

But he stressed: "The voting system is the most important and we cannot afford any mistake."

Lawmaker Patrick Lau, who is also an architect, expressed optimism, citing most of the works are in the final stage.

joseph@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 07/30/2011 page1)