Role of Legco called into question after failure to handle serious matters

Stacy Shi

The role of the Legislative Council has been called into question, as it has failed to effectively monitor serious matters such as the forged academic documents scandal and internal conflicts at the University of Hong Kong, according to lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun.

Tse made these remarks during a meeting with Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, where lawmakers were consulted on the upcoming policy address.

Tse said that Legco used to perform timely and effective oversight of government operations through its Public Accounts Committee and Commission of Inquiry.

"However, only two reporters attended the Public Accounts Committee press conference in May, and Legco has yet to convene a Committee of Inquiry meeting in the current term," he said.

"The monitoring role of Legco has been distorted, and its very purpose has been repeatedly questioned."

To address this, Tse suggested strengthening Legco's monitoring function, which could "restore public support and trust in Legco and the government."

He also expressed concerns about various "distortions," including the use of fake academic qualifications by overseas students to gain entry into local universities, as well as corruption in infrastructure projects, which could tarnish Hong Kong's reputation.

Regarding economic development, Election Committee lawmaker Johnny Ng Kit-chong proposed the development of the Web3 industry.

This includes exploring specific policies and regulations to support and regulate the development of decentralized autonomous organizations, as well as establishing a regulatory regime for stablecoin issuers and over-the-counter exchanges for virtual assets, while also appropriately relaxing restrictions.

Ng also suggested promoting the country's space technology and developing a "space economy," which could include holding regular large-scale space technology expos and organizing outdoor space technology carnivals.

On the welfare front, Election Committee lawmaker Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming proposed that the government appoint an additional deputy secretary of departments to focus on elderly affairs in order to coordinate the planning and implementation of policies by various bureaus to address the challenges posed by an aging society.

Koon also suggested studying tax reforms and broadening the tax base, to reduce the reliance on salaries tax, which is declining due to a shrinking labor force and the external economic environment, thereby relieving long-term financial pressure.

stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com