Hong Kong society pins high hopes on new LegCo
Updated: 2012-09-11 06:49
By Yang Sheng(HK Edition)
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On Monday, the much anticipated outcome of the Hong Kong Legislative Council (LegCo) election was finally unveiled. Among a record number of 234 candidates fielded by parties from across the political spectrum, some incumbent heavyweights were ousted while some new faces emerged.
Hong Kong people showed high enthusiasm in exercising their voting rights in Sunday's election, reflecting their care and concern about Hong Kong's future. A record 53 percent of the 3.46 million registered voters cast their ballots, the highest since Hong Kong's handover to China.
Just what prompted more citizens to fulfill their civic duties is a matter for greater analysis. But without a doubt, the election marks a milestone in local people's quest for a more democratic and prosperous Hong Kong.
Overall, after a head-on showdown between the pro-opposition and the pro-establishment camps, the basic formulation of the new LegCo remained unchanged. The DAB has firmly retained its status as the largest political party, while the Democratic Party suffered a humiliating defeat, losing almost half their seats in the district-based elections, and prompting its chairman Albert Ho to resign.
One of the worrying developments is that some radical groups like People Power and League of Social Democrats have grabbed more seats in the new LegCo. Those re-elected troublemakers are the public's curse rather than a blessing. We should stay alert as they may continue to trot out the same tricks to politicize everything, picking flaws and magnifying them.
In the past few years, the LegCo chamber was often demeaned to as a talking shop, or even likened to a barren quagmire and unruly jungle. It was a common scene for millions of citizens to watch in horror from their television sets that the city's public consultations were turned into anarchy. We can no longer allow rebellious behaviors such as filibuster, hurling bananas or dog food, and scattering paper offerings in the LegCo chambers. There is no point to continue forking out taxpayers' money if such lawless acts go on and on in the city's solemn legislative chamber.
It is our most sincere hope that those elected live up to Hong Kong people's trust, prove worthy of voters' support, and will always remain committed to working with the government in a constructive and positive manner for the sake of Hong Kong, because Hong Kong has a proven track record of executive-led government, which is convincing and credible. If we truly wish Hong Kong's economic miracle to thrive, let us preserve this formula.
The LegCo's major functions are to enact laws, control public expenditure, and monitor the government's work. At this stage, keeping the economy growing steady and sustainably is of utmost importance to Hong Kong. In other words, people's livelihood triumphs all issues. So, all legislative councilors should put the public's interest ahead of political gains.
As the 5th LegCo is very likely to be responsible for scrutinizing the electoral reform bill, which will eventually shape the electoral arrangement of the city's universal suffrage, we urge the lawmakers elected to be more responsible and accountable, and to help Hong Kong stride forward in the right direction as our future is at stake.
No doubt, there is a bumpy road ahead, as the two major rival camps will still find it hard to forge consensus on many pressing and critical issues. However, as democracy is an art of compromise, and Hong Kong is a free, tolerant and politically diverse society, there is always room to accommodate diversified viewpoints. We need to agree to disagree, and learn more about give-and-take.
Once again, we urge all incoming lawmakers to do their duty in a pragmatic, efficient and positive way, and to live up to the public's expectations.
The author is a senior current affairs commentator.
(HK Edition 09/11/2012 page3)