Filibuster to backfire

Radical legislators who are filibustering the budget bill may now be chuckling to themselves after seeing their initial success in delaying the passage of the bill. However, a backlash on their nonsensical move will prove they have cheered too early.

It's ironic that the Legislative Council (LegCo), a symbol of democracy and a place for practicing democracy, has been hijacked for the pursuit of personal political agendas by these radical legislators who have won a seat by chanting pro-democracy.

Instead of serving in the best interests of Hong Kong people, they have abused the power and privilege entrusted in them by voters, by hindering the passage of the budget bill with unjustifiable delaying tactics.

Taxpayers have become the first victims, with more than HK$15 million in public money having been wasted by the filibuster so far. It won't be unreasonable to expect outrage from taxpayers as more public money is squandered away with the filibuster dragging on.

Aside from upsetting taxpayers and threatening the normal operations of the SAR government, further delay on the passage of the budget bill will also work against the interests of the elders, the low-income households and the middle class, who are respectively expecting additional old-age fruit money, Comprehensive Social Security Assistance and electricity subsidies as proposed by the government in the new budget.

Failing to pass the budget bill in time will prevent the government from releasing these subsidies.

Radical legislators who are blocking the passage of the budget bill are set to face a lethal backlash in the next election as many of these subsidy receivers are their loyal supporters.

Populist slogans and agenda might have helped them earn a seat in the legislative chamber. But this time round these old tricks will backfire for sure as they work against the interests of the general public.

The author is a current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 05/03/2013 page1)