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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
have all along been treating the Urban Services Department as our partner. A partner is very important and should not be a target of criticism. If we criticize our partner, perhaps some of the criticisms should be directed to ourselves too. Therefore, we hope that our colleagues will not think in the same way as some former Members who believed that, by publicly criticizing the Urban Council and Urban Services Department, they would succeed in boosting their own personal image. Indeed, as Councillors, if we do not voice our criticism at meetings but do so in public, as we are among the policy makers, we bring shame on ourselves too. This brings us to another important point: our loyalty to the Urban Council as Urban Councillors. Of course, I do not mean blind loyalty. Nevertheless, we must at least consider ourselves as part of the Urban Council. If the Urban Council is being criticized by the public, I myself will feel that I am being criticized too. Although I may not belong to a certain Select Committee or I have not taken part in making a certain decision, yet if someone criticizes the decision or policy, I feel being criticized too. It is only when we have developed this kind of mentality that we can act in concert. Then we can hope that decisions made by the Urban Council as a whole will be implemented and carried out effectively.
Lastly, I wish to point out one thing. In dealing with municipal services matters, we should adopt a macroscopic approach. What is meant by a macroscopic approach? In the past, I have heard some colleagues say, 'My constituency needs this; my voters need that.' It is absolutely correct for us to take care of the needs of our voters. However, while taking care of the needs of our own constituency and our own voters, Members should also bear in mind the needs of voters in other constituencies. We must strike a balance between the two. Only by so doing will we be able to make policies and decisions welcomed by the public. What I have mentioned above are just some of my personal observations. They are not intended to be a lesson given by an experienced Councillor. I hope that Members will help to change my trepidation into cheerfulness after the meeting, and that I can continue to serve the public side by side with my colleagues. Thank you.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—
Management of museums should be modernized
Mr. Chairman, this year is the first time I undertake the post of Chairman of the Museums Select Committee. What I face is a collection of antiquities of many, many years, contained in which are traces revealing the depth and scope of accumulated over a long period of time. As an Urban Councillor, I felt somewhat honoured at first. But this feeling did not last long, especially when I think of the outdated methods we use in managing these cultural relics. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my opinions and hope that the Department will take note of them.
Page 299 of 485
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Page 299 of 485
01 485
12
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
have all along been treating the Urban Services Department as our partner. A partner is very important and should not be a target of criticism. If we criticize our partner, perhaps some of the criticisms should be directed to ourselves too. Therefore, we hope that our colleagues will not think in the same way as some former Members who believed that, by publicly criticizing the Urban Council and Urban Services Department, they would succeed in boosting their own personal image. Indeed, as Councillors, if we do not voice our criticism at meetings but do so in public, as we are among the policy makers, we bring shame on ourselves too. This brings us to another important point: our loyalty to the Urban Council as Urban Councillors. Of course, I do not mean blind loyalty. Nevertheless, we must at least consider ourselves as part of the Urban Council. If the Urban Council is being criticized by the public, I myself will feel that I am being criticized too. Although I may not belong to a certain Select Committee or I have not taken part in making a certain decision, yet if someone criticizes the decision or policy, I feel being criticized too. It is only when we have developed this kind of mentality that we can act in concert. Then we can hope that decisions made by the Urban Council as a whole will be implemented and carried out effectively.
Lastly, I wish to point out one thing. In dealing with municipal services matters, we should adopt a macroscopic approach. What is meant by a macroscopic approach? In the past, I have heard some colleagues say, 'My constituency needs this; my volers need that.' It is absolutely correct for us to take care of the needs of our voters. However, while taking care of the needs of our own constituency and our own voters, Members should also bear in mind the needs of voters in other constituencies. We must strike a balance between the two. Only by so doing will we be able to make policies and decisions welcomed by the public. What I have mentioned above are just some of my personal observations. They are not intended to be a lesson given by an experienced Councillor. I hope that Members will help to change my trepidation into cheerfulness after the meeting, and that I can continue to serve the public side by side with my colleagues. Thank you.
THE HON. MOK YING-FAN (in Cantonese):—
Management of museums should be modernized
Mr. Chairman, this year is the first time I undertake the post of Chairınan of the Museums Select Committee. What I face is a collection of antiquities of many, many years, contained in which are traces revealing the depth and scope of accumulated over a long period of time. As an Urban Councillor, I felt somewhat honoured at first. But this feeling did not last long, especially when I think of the outdated methods we use in managing these cultural relics. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to express my opinions and hope that the Department will take note of them.
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