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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
constantly. However, the Council itself is a political ground. Rashly dissolving the Council will not but trigger queries about the actual intentions hidden by the Government. Many scholars and political parties have criticized that the Government is trying to strengthen the administration in the guise of a reform. Many of our colleagues have even come to know that the Government is taking this opportunity to increase its power. In fact, this is not a conspiratorial deduction. Instead, it is evident that the Government is weakening the power of the Councils and adopting the rule by force. The "Consultation Report on the Review of District Organizations" published in October last year has revealed the many worries of the Government. It has pointed out that if the democratization of the two Municipal Councils continues, "politically, the implications of a Municipal Council with many more directly elected members than the Legislative Council are indeed very profound". To my understanding, the Government is worried that the Urban Council will surpass the Legislative Council in terms of public acceptance and accountability. To think more deeply and compare the two Municipal Councils with the administration, there is a world of difference between their credibility since the administration is not founded on and authorized by public opinion. I believe that the Chief Executive, elected only by a small circle of 400 people, will not allow the existence of an Urban Council which is strongly supported by public opinion. Moreover, the Chief Executive will fear that as the Urban Council is becoming more and more democratic, the public will be aroused to demand further democratization of the Legislative Council. Of course, this is not what Mr. TUNG's conservative government wants to see. I think the Government has thousands of reasons to dissolve the two Municipal Councils, but the core is simply out of political considerations. Other reasons such as improving efficiency, enhancing coordination and making use of the bird flu to axe the Councils, are merely excuses.
I believe that my fellow colleagues will agree that presently, the public are focusing on the economic problems. However, will all of you please think more deeply? The political problems triggered from the dissolution of the Municipal Councils will bring even greater impact on the political environment of Hong Kong. In a swift and ruthless action, the Government will "tear down" the elected Councils and set up a new policy bureau in less than one and a half year. While there is not sufficient discussion among the public, the Government makes a decision rashly. It is believed that after the Municipal Councils have ceased to exist, its political residuals will gradually emerge. At present, when the public are dissatisfied with the municipal policies, there are Municipal Councillors to act as a buffer and a bridge of communication. When there are no Municipal Councils in the future, the contradictions between the Government officials and the public will be directed against the Government. By that time, I believe that there will be nothing that the Government can do. The contradictions between the Government and the public will be heightened and intensified. When it comes to a state of
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