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HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL

the role that we are called for by taking up our own responsibility so that Hong Kong can continue to flourish and prosper.

Mr. Chairman, with these remarks, I support the motion.

MR. TIM S. MANUEL CHAN (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman and Colleagues, in response to the bird flu outbreak, both political parties and public views criticize that the ability of the Government in handling emergencies is low. There are even demands for the setting up of an emergency authority. What is more important is that the so-called 'administration-led' system has misled the Central Government and senior officials who become ignorant of democracy in presuming that the whole crisis could be solved simply by killing all the chickens of the territory at a price of $30 per live chicken. They were actually playing a joke on democracy.

Even when the vicious* British in the eyes of some patriots had to destroy all the cows of the country in response to the mad cow disease, it had not brought about waves of parades, petitions and demonstration that we in Hong Kong witnessed. It is simply because the ruling party under a mature democratic system knows that it must identify the whole chain of reactions arising from all decisions in addition to making a full assessment on situation. Besides, adequate compensation should be provided and appropriate arrangements be made for the individuals and interest groups affected. As for the trade unions and political parties, they do not seek popularity by doing sensational things but are just practical and realistic. The Government of TUNG Chee-hwa which is ignorant of democracy and civil rights had to pay price of ten times of $30 ultimately to compensate the loss of each chicken being killed in order to close the case temporarily.

Not only is the Central Government ignorant of democracy, but political parties which are supposed to monitor the Government also fall into two extremes. The parties that claimed to be representatives of the grassroots interests are so influential that even if a wrong decision has been made, they still get a large group of followers and supporters. It is, however, a pity that their influence can do nothing with Government policies. On the contrary, the wealthy parties that can exercise influence on Government policies have stayed away from the grassroots completely. In history, it is exceptional to find that people having money 'to play politics' could act so lousily.

While the Provisional Legislative Council lacks of public credibility and its constitutional status is being questioned, it is gratifying to see that the fully elected Urban Council has attracted public attention. But as expected, the Council ultimately faces scathing criticism by the public and the media for acting foolishly without political sense as always when responding to the media and public opinions. More unfortunately, there brings in a 'commander without soldiers' who tries to practise deception with an intention to gain overriding control through manipulation of power. Due to the bird flu...