HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
439
over the past six and a half months as reflected by the bird flu incident. It shows that there are serious problems in the operation of the Government. I am not going to repeat what have been said by our colleagues earlier, including the comment that the Inter-departmental Working Group is a low level set-up. I just want to point out that decisions regarding the bird flu problem such as the response made by the highest level spokesman of the SAR Government did not come until late December. It was only on 31st December that the Chief Executive visited the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market. Is it a bit too late? Is it that after the establishment of the SAR, Bureau Secretaries only adopt an attitude of `wait and see' without taking any concrete action nor making any decisive moves? This is the impression I have. When running the election for the SAR's Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG stressed that he was to become a strong leader and the government would be administration-led. But what has become of this government? I can only see that the name of our Chairman falls behind that of the Director in the Precedence List. Is it the result of administration-led? Before the establishment of the SAR Government, the names of the Director of Protocol of the British Hong Kong Government and the Chairman of Urban Council always preceded that of the Director of Urban Services. However, after the establishment of the SAR Government, their names follow that of the Director of Urban Services. Does it mean that under the administration-led government, Urban Council has become the executive arm of Urban Services Department instead? Although the Chairman may not mind such an arrangement, this is a serious problem which makes us wonder what is the position of the Urban Council and how superior is the Director of Urban Services. Does it mean that she will speak first in future ceremonies? In my opinion, it is absolutely unacceptable that the name of the Chairman of Urban Council is lower than that of the Director in the Precedence List. Perhaps, the name of the Chairman of Regional Council also falls behind that of the Director of Regional Services. This issue should be brought up for discussion again at an appropriate occasion.
Regarding the new airport, it is common knowledge that its construction works will be completed in April. But will the airport come into operation in April? It is ridiculous because throughout the world, there has never been a new airport as this one which has not been announced of its date of opening when it is going to be completed in three months. What should the airlines do? How about the shops and hotels? When will the programme be finalized? It is already too late to make a decision now. Again, this is the fault of the SAR Government because they are hesitant and dare not make a decision. My deepest impression of the SAR Government over the past six and a half months is that those at the top have some co-operation problems. The co-operation among Bureau Secretaries under the leadership of Mr. TUNG and Mrs. Anson Chan is not smooth and they are not resolute in decision-making. They are always hesitant and procrastinating. I hope the so-called “strong administration-led government' will not just show its strength in the order of
Page 443 of 654
Page 443 of 654
Page 443 of 654
Page 443 of 654
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
439
over the past six and a half months as reflected by the bird flu incident. It shows that there are serious problems in the operation of the Government. I am not going to repeat what have been said by our colleagues earlier, including the comment that the Inter-departmental Working Group is a low level set-up. I just want to point out that decisions regarding the bird flu problem such as the response made by the highest level spokesman of the SAR Government did not come until late December. It was only on 31st December that the Chief Executive visited the Cheung Sha Wan Wholesale Market. Is it a bit too late? Is it that after the establishment of the SAR, Bureau Secretaries only adopt an attitude of `wait and see' without taking any concrete action nor making any decisive moves? This is the impression I have. When running the election for the SAR's Chief Executive, Mr. TUNG stressed that he was to become a strong leader and the government would be administration-led. But what has become of this government? I can only see that the name of our Chairman falls behind that of the Director in the Precedence List. Is it the result of administration-led? Before the establishment of the SAR Government, the names of the Director of Protocol of the British Hong Kong Government and the Chairman of Urban Council always preceded that of the Director of Urban Services. However, after the establishment of the SAR Government, their names follow that of the Director of Urban Services. Does it mean that under the administration- led government, Urban Council has become the executive arm of Urban Services Department instead? Although the Chairman may not mind such an arrangement, this is a serious problem which makes us wonder what is the position of the Urban Council and how superior is the Director of Urban Services. Does it mean that she will speak first in future ceremonies? In my opinion, it is absolutely unacceptable that the name of the Chairman of Urban Council is lower than that of the Director in the Precedence List. Perhaps, the name of the Chairman of Regional Council also falls behind that of the Director of Regional Services. This issue should be brought up for discussion again at an appropriate occasion.
Regarding the new airport, it is to common knowledge that its construction works will be completed in April. But will the airport come into operation in April? It is ridiculous because throughout the world, there has never been a new airport as this one which has not been announced of its date of opening when it is going to be completed in three months. What should the airlines do? How about the shops and hotels? When will the programme be finalized? It is already too late to make a decision now. Again, this is the fault of the SAR Government because they are hesistant and dare not make a decision. My deepest impression of the SAR Government over the past six and a half months is that those at the top have some co-operation problems. The co- operation among Bureau Secretaries under the leadership of Mr. TUNG and Mrs. Anson Chan is not smooth and they are not resolute in decision-making. They are always hesistant and procrastinating. I hope the so-called “strong administration-led government' will not just show its strength in the order of
Page 443 of 654
Page 443 of 654
Page 443 of 654
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