The "pan-democrat" legislators have adopted filibustering tactics to block the government's proposal to establish a much-needed Innovation and Technology Bureau. To say this is regrettable is an understatement.

It is wrong to indiscriminately block government initiatives and policies beneficial to Hong Kong's economic development. The "pan-democrats" should take a hard look at themselves. It is never too late to admit your mistakes.

The "pan-democrats" must realize that without an Innovation and Technology Bureau, the city will suffer. It will be unable to compete with Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Hong Kong's role as China's financial center could decline in favor of Shanghai if technological development here does not keep pace with financial and economic development.

The opposition's filibustering tactics blocked government proposals for funding the new technology bureau on Feb 14. This will seriously delay establishing the new bureau.

People realize the SAR needs to improve its technology sector to boost economic growth and create jobs. The "pan-democrats" should realize we live in a high-tech world with no room for complacency. Hong Kong's Science Park in Sha Tin, Cyberport in Pok Fu Lam and technology-related institutes all need government leadership and support. That is a no-brainer. The behavior of the "pan-democrats" is foolish.

When Hong Kong people's livelihoods are under threat, "pan-democrat" legislators should think twice about arbitrarily blocking government initiatives. They owe Hong Kong people an explanation.

Disliking Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying is one thing, hurting Hong Kong's economic development is quite another. The "pan-democrats" should reconsider their actions before permanent damage is done to Hong Kong's economy. Their actions could affect millions of people's livelihoods.

Between 1998 and 2002, under the leadership of former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, the then Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau did a good job at the height of the dot-com boom. However, the bureau was absorbed into the Commerce, Industry and Economic Development Bureau in 2007 when Tung's successor Donald Tsang Yam-kuen was in power.

Under the government's current plans, the existing Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Innovation and Technology Commission would be moved into the new Innovation and Technology Bureau, providing "pan-democrat" legislators allow it. The new Innovation and Technology Bureau will have more power and resources. It will be able to do a much better job than the existing institutions combined.

At a Feb 14 Legislative Council (LegCo) meeting, the "pan-democrats" attacked government officials who were asking for a start-up fund of HK$35 million for the new bureau. Come-on legislators, even janitors, security guards and ordinary people know that the Innovation and Technology Bureau stands for promoting innovation and technology in Hong Kong! There should be confidence that important new initiatives can be unveiled when the new bureau is formed.

The cynical "pan-democrats" might believe that the new technology bureau would be used to create new political posts for Leung Chun-ying's allies. But they should not let these concerns delay the establishment of an important bureau which is vital to the city's future.

No matter how "pan-democrat" legislators justify their actions, indiscriminately blocking vital government initiatives and policies is unintelligent, wrong and misguided.

(HK Edition 03/05/2015 page10)