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PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
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is the breeding ground for a privileged class. In an undemocratic society, the privileged class can profit from wanton expropriation. Of course, he is opposed to democracy because a democratic society will impair their interest.
Now Hong Kong is no longer ruled by the Hong Kong people. It is ruled by businessmen whose concern for the investment environment and investment matters prevails over all other issues. The Government only rescues the market but not the people. Over $100 billions could be injected into the stock market and land sales could even be suspended to stabilize the property market. The budget for Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme, however, has to be cut down. Consult the Gini Coefficient or any other data, and you will find that the gap between the rich and the poor in Hong Kong is widening. But has the Government faced the problem squarely? Does it intend to take any remedial measures? No! What Hong Kong is going to be in the next century? Dissolving the two Municipal Councils not only will result in centralizing authority over food hygiene, culture and recreation services, but will also signify to the greatest extent that the Government does not want to return the power of government to the people. The Government only believes that centralisation of power can shepherd Hong Kong into the next century. If so, either the people or the Government of Hong Kong are bound to pay dearly for this, and the so-called "Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong" will remain an empty slogan forever.
Is “Striding over into the new era” a blessing, or a curse to the people of Hong Kong? Instead of leaving Hong Kong at the helm of businessmen, the people of Hong Kong should follow their own paths. It is because a businessman will eventually put his/her own interest before everything. After the reunification, Hong Kong has evolved from a British colony into a 'businessmen's colony'. This is really a rather woeful story. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MR. WU CHI-wat (in Cantonese):--Mr. Chairman,
After the reunification of Hong Kong with China, the SAR Government has clearly demonstrated its anti-council, anti-democracy political ideology. The political implications of scrapping the Municipal Councils have already been categorically implied in para. 3.10 of the Consultation Report on Review of District Organizations: “Politically, the implications of a Municipal Council with many more directly elected members than the Legislative Council are indeed very profound". The District Councils Bill clearly provides that the appointment system will be resumed, while Mr. Michael SUEN, the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, has refused to openly confirm whether candidates who had failed in an election would not be appointed. All these have clearly reflected our SAR Government's determination to turn back the wheel of a democratic progression.
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