PA can offer fresh ideas

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's first Policy Address (PA) may face a challenge, achieving mass appeal to the public but it still can offer people something to look forward to. The reason it will be difficult to make the PA shine is that the new SAR government already has introduced policies to the benefit of local residents and to address Hong Kong's most deeply-rooted problems.

Nonetheless, the government still has ample financial resources to offer assistance to the needy among the population and there is much room left for long-term planning for social and economic development. So, it is safe to say the PA can give people a "pleasant surprise" or two.

CY Leung has already implemented some popular policies since taking office, including the HK$2,200 a month allowance for elderly residents in need, the HK$1,000 medical allowance for senior citizens, allowing 5,000 "white form" applicants to buy second-hand, subsidized housing units without paying a land premium, funding for non-government organizations to build 3,000 apartments for qualified local youths and anti-speculation measures to cool down the overheating property market. That's why it is very hard to add new highlights to the PA. On the other hand, there is also pressure on the new SAR government to make a difference as well as a need that it do so.

For a start, even though CY Leung announced 10 measures last August to improve the housing supply, it is still possible for him to set the goals even higher in his first PA, He could learn from Singapore's experience in developing public housing for rental and establish a residential financing system centered on Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) savings. That could allow people to pay a first down payment for a home purchase with their pension funds and monthly installments. Since housing is closely linked to quality of life issues such as poverty, employment and social welfare, the government should include a long-term strategy designed to address them together.

Hong Kong also needs to break the bottleneck constricting its economic development. The best way is further integration with national development. The SAR government can introduce policies and measures in the PA meant to hook up with the whole nation's development strategy.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on Jan 14.

Kwan Chiu

Fear not gay rights debate

Some Christian groups gathered outside the government offices at Tamar on Saturday to voice their opposition to proposed public consultation on gay rights and possible legislation. Some other people rallied nearby in support of gay rights. The result was a standoff of sorts between the two sides. Fortunately nothing unpleasant happened.

Homosexuality is nothing new in Hong Kong, but the government's plan for public consultation on the issue immediately prompted the religious community to respond strongly. Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam responded to the press later that day and said the government is not taking sides, adding that the parties concerned need not over react to the new development, because public consultation does not mean gay marriage will be legalized any time soon. However, the protests should not be ignored.

The reality is that public opinion on homosexuality has changed significantly in recent years, as a number of people in the entertainment industry have "come out" and even the Legislative Council now has an openly gay member. The social environment is such that gay rights groups are openly demanding recognition of their place under the Sun and equal treatment, while some religious hardliners also step forward in defence of their values against tolerance for "sin". The conflict of values in this regard is so real and the government can no longer pretend it does not exist.

Today, homosexuality is no longer a matter of "privacy" or "personal preference", but a legitimate social issue that not only the gay community but other members of society must face as well. For those who are anti-homosexual, in particular, it is necessary for them to discuss the issue in a constructive manner because they cannot "suppress" it or remain "hush hush" about it. It is also a political issue, thanks to a recent motion to write gay marriage into law one way or the other. The motion was rejected, but lawmakers who oppose it have been labeled by supporters as conservative and irresponsible.

Therefore, it is unrealistic to ignore or trivialize the issue. Public consultation on gay rights legislation seems a reasonable and feasible way to let the public come to terms over this dividing issue. And such discussions should focus not only on ethics, but also matters such as protecting the younger generation and equal access to welfare.

The author is a veteran current affairs commentator. This is an excerpted translation of her column published in Ta Kung Pao on Jan 14.

(HK Edition 01/15/2013 page3)