“Deadwood”
I think we should be bracing ourselves for a lot of disgruntled Legislative Councillors. And it may not end there – if a LegCo stalwart goes out the door, could an Exco heavyweight be far behind?
Every day seems to bring news of another of our 90 legislative councillors not seeking re-election (more than a dozen have already done so). In some instances the individual claims plausibly to wish to pursue other career or life objectives. But for some others that is by no means obviously the case, so it is legitimate for the public and media to ask: did he (or she) jump, or was he pushed?
To qualify as a candidate an individual must navigate a byzantine process involving collecting signatures from five different sectors of the Election Committee during the nominating period which runs from 24 October to 6 November. In practice only “blessed” candidates can secure the necessary signatures. Thus long before polling day on 7 December we know who is definitely out, though we won’t know who is successful in the (likely) few contested constituencies until the due day.
Of the serving legislators who have already indicated they will not be seeking re-election, six are already in their 70s and a seventh, Martin Liao Cheung-kong is 68. This has led some to speculate that an informal age limit of 70 is being introduced, albeit without any announcement. The most prominent Legco member to breach the age mark is executive council convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee who is 75. Three other members – Louis Loong Hon-biu, Lai Tung-kwok and Tony Tse Wai-chuen– also breach the 70 mark. None of the four have yet to indicate their re-election intentions, Ip is the leader of the New People’s Party of which Lai is also a member. The party has indicated it will issue a statement at an appropriate time.
These developments need to be seen in the context of the policy address delivered by chief executive John Lee Ka-chiu at the legislative council in mid-September. One of the main features of this year’s statement was a package of measures to enhance governance: the proposals to introduce a new heads of department accountability system and a tighter performance monitoring system for civil servants generally. The underlying message here was Lee’s view that there was scope for a much more efficient public service. The twin proposals have received enthusiastic support from some elements of the local media on the grounds that it was necessary to get rid of dead wood, and it should be made easier to do so.
Now what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander as the well-known expression has it. So if there is dead wood in some parts of the government machinery it follows that there could be room for greater efficiency in other parts of the administration. Which bring me to the executive council. Several of those stepping down from Legco also sit on the senior body. Lee has indicated it doesn’t necessarily follow that there will be a reshuffle of Exco but basic logic suggests it must be an option for some to leave soon, if only of their own volition.
No fewer than eight of the current Exco members are also legislators, seven of whom have already declared they will step down from the junior body. Ip is the only exception. The link between the two bodies works both ways. The prestige of Exco membership can help secure Legco election, the backing of a significant group of legislators can support the case for Exco appointment.
Of the official members of Exco, only financial secretary Paul Chan Mo-po would be caught by an age guideline. But among the non-official members, in addition to Ip a total of eight would breach the 70 mark. Of these three (Jeffrey Lam Kin-fun, Tommy Cheung Yue-yau and Chan Kin-por) have said they will step down from LegCo, the other five (Arthur Li Kwok-cheung granddaddy of them all at 80, Joseph Yam Chi-kwong, Ronny Tong Kam-wah, Moses Cheng Mo-chi and Margaret Leung Ko May-yee, all in their 70s) do not have dual membership.
Could an age guideline have ripple effects elsewhere? Could it reach advisory bodies such as the Trade Development Council where the evergreen Frederick Ma Si-hang (73) has just been appointed chairman. Or the Hospital Authority where Henry Fan Hung-ling (77) has just been reappointed chairman for a further one-year term from 1 December.
I hope there is no age guideline even if one is said to be favoured by mainland officials. Hong Kong is a meritocracy and people should be allowed to serve in a public position as long as they are able to make a positive contribution. There is a case for refreshing the stock by having a reasonable turnover, but it needs to be tempered by the benefits of retaining experience.
Apart from being wrong in principle, any such practice would hardly square with the idea of a silver economy. The older generation was going to ride to the rescue of our economy. Their expenditure from income or by drawing on their savings would rescue the retail and dining sectors which were both going through a hard time. And by continuing to work well past traditional retirement age they would be able to make up part of the shortfall in the local labour force in the face of a declining birthrate. Practical exclusion from Legco, and perhaps Exco, would mean “work longer, just not for us” which is hardly a convincing slogan.
Be that as it may, we don’t have long to wait to see the results of this year’s election. More than 80 years ago US president Franklin Roosevelt described 7 December as “a day that will live in infamy”. Who knows, we could be seeing a repeat.