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Councils and taking back powers". As soon as there is dissolution, nothing is left. It is not like dispersion when dispersed matters can be gathered. After dissolution, there is no going back. As for taking back powers, it is quite comprehensive. So I think the amendment is more accurate than the original motion because things are just not as simple as 'deliberately evade responsibilities' as worded in the original motion.
The amendment is also more effective than the original motion because the original is moved by a member of the Democratic Party known to be certain to oppose the proposal of dissolving the councils. We know that stand even without the motion. Now that Mr. Joseph Chan described by Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung as a gentle school principal has moved an amendment as an independent councillor, if we support the outcry of this gentle scholarly member, we will be making a more effective, a stronger point. We all know that it would be strange for the Democratic Party not to raise objection to the proposal. But then, Mr. CHAN Kwok-leung already stated that he would support the amendment too.
I do not intend to go on about the difference between the original motion and the amendment. I stated my stance when speaking on the last motion. Here, I would like to change the topic and speak my mind. I want to bring out the issue of sentiment and I hope Members present will support the amendment. Why do I refer to the issue of sentiment? Some people may say that opposing or disapproving dissolution of the two councils is tantamount to opposing the SAR government. Some may allege that no support for scrapping of the two Councils is equivalent to no support for the SAR government.
The truth is not so. If we support government blindly in its dissolution of the Municipal Councils, it will be a show of 'The Emperor's New Dress' across the century. We know the emperor is not dressed, but we say that he is and we describe his new dress as pretty and unseen on earth. Behind all these, we are cheating on the emperor. We can see expressly that without the two Municipal Councils, there will be problems with the set-up within the SAR government and its management of municipal, cultural, recreational and sports services. If we keep quiet, we are hurting the government. That is not a show of love for the SAR government and not a show of support either.
Have we ever considered why the Urban Council has stood there for more than a hundred years? Before 30-6-1999, the British Hong Kong government accepted its existence and tried to make it more and more democratic, so much so that all members were elected. The existence of the Council has a definite role to play in government management. This point has not been mentioned in the present review. I think it is regrettable that there are fewer and fewer government officials who speak with a conscience. Today, more and more officials hit at yesterday's officials. In fact, the existing system is still being sold and implemented by the government officials today. Fewer and fewer people
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