Suspensions sealed for mischief in Legco

Misbehaving lawmakers will be suspended from meetings as the Legislative Council passed amendments to curb conflicts and filibustering in the chamber.

With mostly pro-establishment lawmakers left after the mass resignation of 15 pan-democrats in November, the Legco passed amended rules of procedure yesterday, 38 to 1, which take effect from today.

The amendments include a progressive penalty system that will see rule-breaking lawmakers suspended for a week initially. For repeat offenses, the suspension will last two weeks and twice the previous occasion on any subsequent breach.

If a lawmaker commits a "grossly disorderly conduct" in a committee of the whole council, the finance committee or the house committee, the Legco president may name such legislator. The president's deputy can move a motion to suspend the lawmaker's service and, if the motion is passed, the lawmaker will be suspended temporarily.

The resolution to amend the rules of procedure was proposed by Paul Tse Wai-chun, chairman of the rules of procedure committee.

Civic Passion's Cheng Chung-tai, the sole lawmaker who voted against the amendments, said the move was "unnecessary" as anyone being able to speak in the Legco in the future should be patriots after the National People's Congress passed a resolution on Hong Kong's electoral changes.

He said the amendments will hollow out space for debate, undermining the parliamentary culture.

"There will be a panel to vet candidates running for Legco in the future. If there are still people sitting in this council being punished for violating the rules, I wonder if the threshold of patriots is too trivial?"

Despite voting for the amendments, the tourism sector's Yiu Si-wing said suspending lawmakers for more than a week is too harsh, adding that a one-week suspension can have a deterrent effect.

The insurance sector's Chan Kin-por said if lawmakers are self-disciplined, there is no need to amend the rules. However, previous incidents showed the rules had insufficient deterrence, he added. Opposition lawmakers would only be expelled from the chamber for their disorderly behavior and they were called "heroes" afterwards, Chan said, adding the system has allowed them to be more radical.

Other amendments include setting time limits for scrutinizing bills or motions.

Without notice, lawmakers cannot move a motion to adjourn certain debates, such as that of disqualification of a legislator from office. They also cannot stop the house committee from considering subsidiary legislations.

A Legco member who wishes to present a petition to the council must from today give notice to the president no later than "three clear days" before the meeting. Previously, the notice was allowed on the eve of the meeting.

The Legco president or the committee chairman will also have the power to set a time limit on the consideration of a motion or bill, while the chairman and deputy chairman of a committee shall hold office until the next chairman and deputy chairman are elected.

The amendments were proposed after pro-democracy lawmakers used filibustering techniques.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com