Unity the watchword for new-term Legco

Former Legislative Council president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen hopes newly elected legislators will abandon conflict between political parties and be unified.

A total of 27 newly elected lawmakers of the functional constituencies met the media yesterday. Not in attendance were Chan Kin-por of the insurance sector, Tony Tse Wai-chuen of architectural, surveying, planning and landscape and Ambrose Lam San-keung of legal.

Leung, reelected in the industrial (first) functional constituency, said functional constituency lawmakers have to speak for their sectors but also need to work for the well-being of everybody.

"I believe lawmakers will view social problems with a wide-angle lens and gather opinions from various channels," he said.

At the meeting was Tik Chi-yuen of the social welfare sector who is the only non-establishment lawmaker in the 90-member Legco.

Tik said he does not think he will be ignored, adding he will continue to push for democratic development.

Tik, chairman of moderate party Third Side, said: "Many lawmakers seem to support and care about the welfare demands that I have proposed.

"This morning, I stepped into the chamber with a lonely mood, but the meeting just now made me feel a bit warmer."

He said fighting for democracy is his duty.

Tik added that "the battle between yellow [pro-democrats] and blue [establishment camp]" is history, but this "does not mean there won't be any sparks."

Steven Ho Chun-yin of agriculture and fisheries told Tik that the new Legco will not be one versus 89 but rather "the embodiment of unity in diversity."

At the same time, 39 of the 40 members for the Election Committee constituency also met the media. Rock Chen Chung-nin, chairman of Pacific Falcon Investment Group Limited, was absent due to illness.

Reelected lawmaker Ma Fung-kwok said the constituency could help prevent the Legco from leaning toward the interests of certain sectors.

Asked if there will be a convener system or alliance established within the Election Committee constituency, Ma said he hopes lawmakers can be united regardless of political parties, adding that there could be short-term cooperation regarding specific issues.

In a separate occasion, Liberal Party's Felix Chung Kwok-pan, who lost in the textile and garment functional constituency, said about two-third of lawmakers in the new Legco are new faces. So, he added, expect some hiccups for them not being familiar with council procedures.

The oath-taking is on January 3. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor will administer the oath.

carine.chow@singtaonewscorp.com