Lawmakers to make stay-or-leave decision "as soon as possible", says Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen urges lawmakers of the pro-democracy camp to make their decision on whether to stay or leave the council as soon as possible, saying that he hopes all legislators would stay in the extended term. 

The Legco president said on a radio program this morning that if all council members are willing to remain seated in the upcoming term, which is scheduled to resume in mid-October, it could help maintain the diversity of opinions in the council. 

“As the Legco president, I hope all lawmakers would stay in the extended term,” said Leung, “but if some are leaving, they would have to explain to their supporters and the public.”

Leung also assured that all current Legco members would receive an end-of-service gratuity for their work in the past four years, regardless of whether they choose to stay on for an extra 12 months. 

He explained that a gratuity – equivalent to 15 percent of a member's monthly salary - is a bonus payment for lawmakers who fulfilled their four-year term.

On Friday, the Legco Commission made a unanimous agreement that all incumbent members would be guaranteed a gratuity. Those who choose not to stay on must notify the Legco Secretariat before September 30 to claim expenses for closing their office.

The current Legco term was extended after the government postponed the Legco election for one year, citing public health concerns under the coronavirus outbreak. However, pan-democrats debate they would continue to carry out their duties during the extended term. 

Meanwhile, Leung backed remarks from several top officials that there is no “separation of powers” in the SAR, saying the Basic Law asserts that the three powers – the executive, legislature and judiciary – should complement each other to achieve a “check and balance” effect. 

The disputes were spawned by comments of Education Secretary Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, who made a point that Hong Kong doesn't have separation of powers after the Education Bureau advised publishers of liberal studies textbooks to delete the phrase “separation of powers” from references to the SAR system. 

Yeung's remarks were backed by several top officials, including the Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng.