In the press

Updated: 2012-09-13 05:57

(HK Edition)

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In the press

Better govt-LegCo relations

Soon after the Legislative Council (LegCo) elections concluded, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying sent invitations to the 70 members of the next LegCo to a banquet, intent on congratulating the newly-elected lawmakers and seeking to forge a good working relationship with them. The invitations were issued in the hope that the two branches of the SAR government will serve Hong Kong residents with "utmost sincerity and commitment". Indeed, it is safe to say no local resident would oppose improving government-LegCo relations to ensure administrative efficiency.

It would be peculiar for anyone in Hong Kong to describe the executive-legislative relationship as satisfactory. Needless to say it is the LegCo's responsibility to keep an eye on the administration, but that doesn't mean their relationship has to be confrontational. Rather it should be complementary and cooperative. Healthy and civilized legislative culture requires respect for established procedures, total commitment to serving Hong Kong's interests and level-headed, well-mannered behavior. It is definitely not in Hong Kong's interest to have LegCo wantonly hijacked time and again by unreasonable acts, aimed at derailing normal legislative operation and consequently paralyzing the administration.

Many people fear the next LegCo will be more fractious than ever, now that the number of lawmakers has increased from 60 to 70. It will be harder for the administration to win support from the majority of LegCo members than before, when radical opposition lawmakers are expected to behave even more outrageously. Even though they are still a minority, the opposition has proven it can wreck the government's agenda and the work of the legislature whenever it chooses.

Leung's administration has stepped back on a number of policy measures in response to popular concerns recently. The problem is the opposition side, instead of showing willingness to resolve issues with compromise, tends to raise its demands every time the government makes a concession. That kind of attitude does no good to the public interest and will ruin LegCo's image eventually.

This is an excerpted translation of a Hong Kong Commercial Daily editorial published on Sept 12.

Respect the rule of law

A High Court bailiff and dozens of security guards dispatched by Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp (HSBC) on Tuesday removed a dozen or so persons who refused to obey a High Court order to clear their "Occupy Central" camp. The camp was set up at the ground level plaza under the HSBC Tower in Central.

The "Occupy Central" group had stayed there for more than 10 months before the High Court granted an HSBC petition for an eviction order. Most members of the protest group however defied the court order when the deadline for them to remove themselves came. Some resisted violently when the bailiff and HSBC security guards tried to remove them and their camp in accordance with the court order. Three people were arrested for assault.

The "Occupy Central" protesters openly defied the court ruling and resorted to violence in a bid to force the government and society as a whole to meet their minority demands. It was a blatant breech of social order and the basic rules of the game in a democratic society. Assuming radicalism above rationality overrides the collective interest of society. This breech bears the seeds of anarchy if not nipped in the bud.

The fact is, the "Occupy Wall Street" crowd in New York City, USA, where the "occupy somewhere" movement was born, has been dispersed for quite some time, while "Occupy Central" has persisted since last October and become a favorite haunt for street dwellers and criminals, who sometimes relieved themselves right there, broke into drunken fights and even hustled tourists. The movement itself has already lost its relevance and is now a public nuisance.

"Occupy Central" had stayed too long and the High Court gave them plenty of time to move out for good. It was absolutely justified and reasonable for the court to have them forcibly removed on Tuesday. The rule of law is one of Hong Kong's core values and every local resident must abide by the law and obey court orders.

It should be noted that "Occupy Central" has been closely linked to radical opposition groups like the League of Social Democrats and some of its leading members are also regulars in politically-motivated extreme acts such as violent protests against urban redevelopment projects and attempts to push through police lines.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on Sept 12.

(HK Edition 09/13/2012 page3)