Page 17 of 115
32
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
we should really look forward and be more constructive. I hope that it will be more meaningful if we are able to comprehensively review the situation. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I move the motion.
MR. WONG SIU-YEE (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, the Urban Council has been managing over 100 venues. However, these venues are not as well known as the Hong Kong Stadium. I regret to say that the Hong Kong Stadium is well known neither because it is a grand facility nor because of its contributions. Let us see why the Hong Kong Stadium is so well known. Since the design and construction of the Hong Kong Stadium was initiated by RHKJC, the Urban Council was not involved. Later, the Central Government hinted that the Urban Council might not be able to continue to manage the Hong Kong Stadium. When in the public interest, the Urban Council expressed its desire to take over the management of the Hong Kong Stadium, the Central Government told us that we must observe two conditions. Firstly, the Stadium must be self-financing and should be operated on commercial principles. Secondly, no subsidy should be expected from the Central Government. As a result, the Urban Council was caught in a dilemma. Subsequently, we were compelled to pay a fitting-out cost of $175 million. The Central Government refused to pay. The Jockey Club also refused to pay. As a result, the Urban Council had to pay the $175 million of fitting-out cost. In fact, 75% of the contracts were awarded before the sum was approved. In fact, at that time the sum was approved prior to having any firm indications from caterers that they would be interested in providing catering service at the Stadium. And then we used $17 million for the opening gala and expended $10 million on a laser show. The Urban Council was forced to accept this decision. After the opening gala, we were told that the noise level exceeded the maximum acceptable by the EPD. EPD said that it had in fact warned the Urban Council. Wembley in fact also commissioned a noise impact assessment. But then the Urban Council was kept in the dark. Recently, some Legco members have proposed that the Director of Audit should audit the accounts and that there should be a complaint made to the COMAC because of suspected administrative malpractice. The targets of investigation were some government departments as well as the BOG. In fact, reference to the BOG is tantamount to the Urban Council. I am not trying to criticize the Legco. I don't want to say that Legco is trying to interfere with our affairs. But let us see what has happened internally. From November 1993 onwards, I have put forward a lot of suggestions. I said that the Urban Council should be allowed to gain access to certain information. But then the BOG and USD rejected my demands. In fact, members have requested that BOG papers be given to all Urban Councillors. As a Select Committee, BOG should submit regular reports to the SCWC. But then all these requests were turned down. I have queried on several occasions whether the BOG has acted beyond its terms of reference and whether it is now over and above the Urban Council. My question should be 'no'. Why did so many things happen? What are the problems behind all these events? I think we should conduct a thorough review into the relationship among the Central Government, the
Page 17 of 115
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 17 of 115
33
Jockey Club, the BOG, Wembley, the Urban Council, the RCB, and the USD. Some people criticized me as being too emotional. I do not object to this criticism. Members of the public and DB members are very concerned that the Hong Kong Stadium should be used primarily as a sports venue. They complain against the wastage of public money. Some people are complaining about the noise nuisances caused and the lack of transparency on the part of the Urban Council. As an Urban Councillor, should we turn a deaf ear to all these complaints and criticisms? As I have said, there might be interference from the Legco members: to summon the BOG or the USD is tantamount to summoning all Urban Councillors. If we do not take the initiative to conduct an open and thorough review of all these issues, we would be regarded as a rubber stamp. Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I second the motion.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):- Mr. Chairman, just a couple of remarks. I want to keep within my speaking time. Mr. Chairman, I think that we don't really have a problem with the effective operation of the Hong Kong Stadium. We are faced with the noise problem only. As for the overall operation of the Hong Kong Stadium, I think that it is improving. An ineffective operation of Hong Kong Stadium does not seem to have appeared. As to whether we should set up a working group to review the Stadium's management framework, mode of operation, and working relationship with the Council, I think the BOG is able to fulfil all these obligations. If we set up a working group now, there will really be a duplication. If we think that Members of the BOG do not have credibility or they fail to get our confidence, we should dissolve the BOG as mentioned by Mr. Li Wah-ming. But I don't think we have reached this stage at this point in time. As for confidentiality and lack of transparency etc., I think in the public interest, a certain degree of confidentiality is required. There were instances that papers that were graded confidential appeared in all newspapers before the start of the meetings. We have a problem here. To a certain extent, the self-discipline of Urban Councillors is in doubt. I think the BOG should improve in this area. In future, after meetings of the BOG, the minutes of meetings should be circulated to all members of the Council. That is my first point. Secondly, every month the BOG should report to the SCWC. Thirdly, all meetings of the BOG should be open. I hope that the BOG will take into consideration these three points. In relation to the many problems mentioned above, I think that it is also unreasonable to force us to accept certain things. But it is also unfair to put all responsibilities on the BOG. There are powerful people high in the hierarchy who are trying to control us. That is the reason why we are faced with the problems. Having taken over the Hong Kong Stadium and without the interference of such people, we should be able to operate effectively.
Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I object to the motion.
MR. MA LEE-WO (in Cantonese):--- Mr. Chairman, my remarks will be simple. Mr. Fred Li has already elaborated on the operation and management
Page 17 of 115