Editorial | Public expects Legco to follow due process
- Hong Kong’s leader may think life will be a lot easier without an effective opposition in the legislature, but the pro-Beijing camp can expect to be held accountable if it passes unpopular bills
With the city in the grip of the Covid-19 pandemic for more than a year, it is easy to forget that many outstanding issues remain in the in tray of Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
Addressing the Legislative Council for the first time in months on Thursday, the chief executive was keen to show that it was business as usual for her government, perhaps even better, following the mass resignation of pan-democrat lawmakers.
Not only was she noticeably more at ease when answering the questions of allies, but also she said some controversial policies would be pushed through now that there was no opposition standing in the way.
The five legislative amendments slated for the extended Legco term are sweeping and controversial. They include mandating oaths of allegiance for district councillors, regulating doxxing, allowing overseas doctors to practise here, imposing rent controls at subdivided flats and strengthening fire safety in old buildings.
The agenda, Lam said, was in response to what she called existing consensus among lawmakers.
