MR CHAN KIN-POR (in Cantonese): Deputy Chairman, we are in fact facing a dilemma regarding these amendments because the Government’s approach is completely different from Mr WU Chi-wai’s. In the latter case, the measures are written as statutory provisions so that certain people will be granted exemption. But we should note that there are in fact many similar cases in society which are beyond our imagination. If the legal approach is adopted for this matter, other cases may not necessarily be handled on a case-by-case basis as a result. Hence, we hold that the Government’s approach of handling the problem on a case-by-case basis cases has its own advantage, that is, certain flexibility can be provided to handle other scenarios which we cannot foresee today. Even with the passage of Mr WU Chi-wai’s amendments today, I hope the Government can give special treatment to deal with cases which we have not considered today. To show our support for the Secretary’s approach to deal with the problem on a case-by-case basis, I will maintain my original approach. In other words, I will continue to abstain from voting, which is equivalent to opposing the amendments because I think it is more appropriate to deal with the problem on a case-by-case basis.
Nonetheless, I hope Members would not become overjoyed. Members should note that if we hold that the relationship between the executive and the legislature has become precarious, and Members are still censuring the Government even though it has conceded, why should it concede again in future? I hope Members can respect and commend the Government for making changes to suit the situation. I also hope that when Members have certain ideas in future, which are considered reasonable by the Government, the Government will also change its policies. It is just natural for the society is particularly concerned about individual victims.
Not everyone is concerned about matters of major principles. Moreover, people may have different views about the importance of achieving short-term and long-term effects. Hence, it is difficult to ask everyone to act according to a particular person’s desire. But individual Members may hold that certain major principles are very important, and the Government’s policies should not always be affected by public opinion. If a person considers that some measures are good for Hong Kong, he should insist on his stand; if certain measures will indeed do harm for certain people, we must give them more consideration. In my view, the Government should sometimes play the role of a leader, and stand firm for measures that are not popular in the short run but beneficial in the long run. It should hold fast to what is good, depending on the actual circumstances.
Hence, I believe that we have several Members holding similar views today, and we would insist on not supporting the amendments proposed by Mr WU Chi-wai. Thank you, Deputy Chairman.