Ambrose Lee was promoted to director of immigration in 1998, following the elevation of Regina Ip (now an elected legislator) to secretary for security. Lee walked in Ip's path again, after her resignation following the massive procession on July 1, 2003 and the abortive legislation of the national security law under Article 23 of the Basic Law (BL23).

During Lee's nine years in office as security minister under two Chief Executives, the BL23 issue was sometimes mentioned but there was never any legislative timetable.

The issue is under the spotlight again after Chief Executive (CE) Leung Chun-ying took office and the most recent appointment of Zhang Xiaoming as the director of the central government's Liaison Office in Hong Kong. But Lee reckoned Zhang's appointment would not put pressure on Leung because it is the SAR government's job to enact BL23.

Asked why BL23 was not enacted during his tenure, Lee said in the first place the Hong Kong SAR government has a constitutional duty to enact BL23, but the government in each succeeding term has its own policy priorities.

When he took office in August 2003, his first task was to sell BL23 and discuss with those who opposed the legislation.

"But in September 2003, (former) Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa postponed the legislative plan indefinitely," Lee recollected. "To me, it is a regret that the law was not enacted during the past nine years."

As to the suitable time for legislation, it is up to CE Leung Chun-ying and the current government to consider whether there are other more pressing policy issues because the citizens may think housing, employment and economy are the far more pressing issues.

"BL23 is a very sensitive issue, a big battle that requires a lot of energy. Of course it is better to discuss (the content of legislation) with a cool mind at peaceful times than to press for the legislation while at war.

"I don't know if the current government should enact BL23 when its popularity rating is high or low. Maybe its popularity rating will increase if it enacts BL23," he said jokingly.

(HK Edition 01/11/2013 page4)