The first six months of the administration of Chief Executive (CE) Leung Chun-ying had witnessed large-scale protests, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the streets.

As a former government official, Ambrose Lee sees two major reasons behind the massive protests. The first is Leung's personal problem over the illegal structures on his private property, which Leung has to deal with on his own. The second problem, however, is connected with the introduction of government policies.

"The reason why the new government encountered so many hardships from the start is perhaps due to the current political environment," he remarked. "Many controversial issues, including National Education, have been politicized and so whatever the government does, there are always dissenting voices. This is a sign of internal exhaustion in society. This is by no means the fortune of Hong Kong people. I hope this problem can be resolved as soon as possible so that the CE and the government can move forward with the people, knowing there remain many livelihood and other problems to be tackled."

Lee predicted that the political parties fomenting endless political wrangles would lose votes in future elections.

Whilst asking the government to come up with more measures to improve people's livelihood, he appealed to those opposed to the government to set aside their biases and move forward with the government in the interest of the people. "They have used their energy to confront the government rather than seeking welfare for the people," he commented.

Lee was aware of the intensifying situation, with the pro-Leung and anti-Leung blocs both waging campaigns and clashing with each other on New Year's Day. A man, believed from the pro-Leung bloc, attacked a TV cameraman at his neck from behind. He was arrested, later charged and fined by the court.

Over the years, the number of protests and processions has increased significantly because the freedoms of speech and assembly are protected by the Basic Law.

"Whist I was secretary for security, I said many times that those who organize and participate in marches and demonstrations should respect the right of other road users and not to use violence," he said. "But in the past few years, some radical protesters have used violence by attacking the police cordon line, having bodily contact with police officers and abusing the officers. This is a pity because Hong Kong people have been known to the world for exercising their rights in a civilized manner."

Lee particularly pointed his finger at the New Year's Day demonstrations in which certain protesters defied police directions by blocking roads in the heart of Central district. The human barriers that the protesters established caused great inconvenience to other citizens, road users and helpless passengers stranded in taxis.

But he added that the majority of protesters are law-abiding, with only a small number of radicals resorting to violence.

Lee also noticed that some protesters carried the British-Hong Kong flags on July 1 last year but the number of such protesters increased on Jan 1 this year.

"Such conduct is inappropriate after the handover of Hong Kong and somewhat inflammatory in such an intensifying society, as they may cause dissatisfaction of other citizens and trigger confrontations," he said. "Yet since it is not against the law, the government and police can do nothing. It is up to the citizens to sound out their disapproval of such behavior."

(HK Edition 01/11/2013 page4)