No politicking please

Regarding the emergence of deeper problems in Hong Kong and its weakening competitive edges, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying once again called for feasible suggestions from all levels of society to enhance the city's economy and the well-being of its residents at the question-and-answer session in the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Thursday.

Coincidentally, Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), recently said Hong Kong's top priority is to push economic development forward and forge new competitive edges so as to resolve its deep-rooted problems.

In fact, it has been acknowledged of late by members of society that Hong Kong is undergoing a difficult time while its competitiveness continues to decline and deeper social problems have surfaced. The widening income gap, sky-high property prices and limited housing supply, issues which have long plagued the city, are becoming more serious obstacles since Hong Kong's economy has been losing momentum. Recognition of this cruel reality and the public's concern for its livelihood is repeatedly reflected by dozens of opinion polls.

Unfortunately, however urgent the need for the city's economic development to be rebooted, Hong Kong society remains preoccupied by endless politicized activities and movements, which has blocked and inhibited economic growth in the city. Politicking by the opposition camp, in the absence of rational discussion, is triggered to oppose any policies of the SAR government for the sake of opposing. Large infrastructure projects such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, the Hong Kong section of the Express Rail Link and the West Kowloon Cultural District have been delayed for years due to continuous fierce opposition from demonstrators. The radicals pick political fights with the government whenever the chance arises, refusing to focus on livelihood issues which require more urgent resolution.

Political confrontation can win us no future and only through joint efforts made by all members of society to push forward the economic development can Hong Kong find a way to solve its deep-rooted social problems.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on May 10.

Extortion by filibuster

So far, the passage of the fiscal budget bill is still being stalled by the radicals' repeated practices of filibuster overdose and other politicking tricks like lengthy statements and calls for headcounts. It is generally acknowledged that the passage of the fiscal budget bill is closely tied with the normal operations of the SAR government and the release of various subsidies and funds to support the whole society. Currently, the funds allocated for the government can only support its operation until the end of this month. If the bill fails to pass before mid-May, a serious 'fiscal cliff' crisis will be faced by the government which might even become paralyzed. Furthermore, all the social-welfare spending including the senior fruit money, comprehensive security allowance and electricity subsidies, which have been long desired by low-income households and the underprivileged, will correspondingly be delayed. It is strongly suggested that the authorities, in view of the approaching risk of fiscal cliff, map out contingency plans to ensure some basic social-welfare spending for the needy, so as to reduce the loss caused on the citizens once the crisis emerges.

People Power members Albert Chan Wai-yip, together with Leung Kwok-hung of the League of Social Democrats, suggested yesterday they may consider dropping their delaying tactics on the budget if Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah promises to set a timetable for a universal pension scheme or launch a HK$50 billion cash handout by 2017. These radicals' words are proved nonsensical and unreasonable, as both their proposals remain controversial among the public and to establish any of them requires deliberate public consultation. More importantly, the filibustering lawmakers are actually trying to hijack the authorities to force them to accept their unjustifiable demands. Otherwise, they will continue the political drama until the government operations finally become paralyzed and social interest damaged. The radicals' conduct is no different from political blackmail, submitting to which will only set a terrible precedent in the Legislative Council (LegCo). Hence, the authorities should stand tough against radical legislators who seek to abuse the filibuster for the pursuit of their own political agenda.

To end the long-running filibuster and avoid the fiscal cliff is in the best interest of the whole society. It is time for our citizens to unite and denounce the disrespected filibustering campaign.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on May 9.

(HK Edition 05/11/2013 page6)