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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
Government did not tell the truth of the matter. Neither was it mentioned that reform undertaken by those overseas countries aimed at returning the right of participation to the public and increasing public participation in district affairs. The Secretary for Constitution Affairs cited the example of reform of the municipal government of Toronto in Canada, but he overlooked to point out that the municipal government there held the power of decision and the public could participate in district matters through election. The reform for Hong Kong is in fact scrapping of the two Councils and returning the policy-making on municipal affairs to central, to the bunch of officials who are not elected by the public. They will operate behind-the-scene. Their meetings are not open to the public or the media. Hence, the public's channel of participation will be blocked. In fact, when democratic countries reform their district administration, the target is to rebuild district democracy and increase public participation, not to go towards centralisation of power like we do in Hong Kong. By citing examples from abroad, Government is calling a deer a horse. It makes me realise that Government is doing things by hook or by crook. This is most regrettable.
The amendment to be moved by Mr. Joseph Chan today is very close in intention to the original motion. The spirit of the amendment also condemns central government for shifting the responsibility over the avian flu and other hygiene incidents and for making it a pretext to recall power and scrap the Councils. The overall conclusion is to express regret on government practice. The original motion emphasises that scrapping of the Councils will bring about administrative dictatorship, reduce public participation and turn public opinion away from addressing municipal affairs. We seek to emphasise that in the process, government is wrong in hiding mistakes and putting the blame on the two Councils. Therefore, on the large principle, the original motion and the amendment are very very close. I appreciate why Mr. Joseph CHAN is proposing the amendment. Mr. Chan is a gentlemanly school principal. He thanks people even if he sees a cockroach in his food. I am gentlemanly too, but I speak up more, I am like the child in 'The Emperor's New Clothes', I speak what I see. I can see that Government is proceeding to administrative dictatorship, and with dishonourable means too. I am only speaking the truth.
After weighing and balancing, I feel that since we are unanimous over the general principle, we might as well unite and reach an overall stand. We would like to put forward the stand that we regret Government's dishonourable means in recalling power and scrapping the councils. Members of the Democratic Party will support the amendment as well.
Mr. Chairman, with the above remarks, I move the motion under my name.
MR. FRANCIS TANG CHI-HO (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I second the motion by Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung.
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