- The ongoing protests have already affected the livelihoods of many and undermined the economy; what’s needed now is legislative action to pass measures that will ease the pain
The beginning of the new Legislative Council session today is anything but auspicious. Despite a heavy backlog of business inherited from the previous year, pan-democratic lawmakers have mounted what appears to be a renewed attempt to stall the government agenda. The move may have dealt the beleaguered administration another blow, but it also delays much-needed relief and support programmes for those affected by the ongoing unrest. Given that all unfinished legislative and funding proposals of the current Legco term will lapse by next summer, the final session is heavily packed. The turmoil sparked by the now-shelved extradition bill makes the situation even more challenging. With chaos and violence still escalating across Hong Kong, it would not be surprising if these conflicts spill over into the council chamber. After all, unruly behaviour is not uncommon in the legislature nowadays.
Shouts and expulsions as Legco meets for first time since complex vandalised
Despite a change in leadership two years ago, the relationship between the government and the pan-democrats has not improved. The extradition bill controversy not only deepened the divide, but also unleashed the most serious political crisis since the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The protracted proceedings to elect the chairmen of the finance and house committees does not bode well for the new legislative session.
The scrutiny of legislation and funding proposals remains the constitutional duty of lawmakers. The filibuster in the final months of the previous session has already created a huge backlog. Among items pending approval are relief measures worth HK$19.1 billion and public works projects costing HK$74 billion. Some of the items, such as redeveloping the city's hospitals, will bring long-term benefits to the community. The businesses and jobs created by the projects may also carry Hong Kong through these difficult times. It is in the public interest to have the funding approved as early as possible. There is a difference between paralysing governance for scoring political points, and exercising checks and balances. The prevailing social unrest has already affected people's livelihoods and undermined the economy. The last thing the people want is for the relief and economic stimulants scuttled by more political wrangling.
Copyright (c) 2019. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
