Legco members 'should know what to do' over absences

Legislative Council members should "know what they have to do" in regard to attending meetings and casting votes following reports that some of them had low attendance records and failed to vote in the past legislative year, president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen warned.

After a three-month summer recess, the Legco reconvened yesterday with 81 members on a day that saw them voting for the Product Eco-responsibility (Amendment) Bill.

The eight members who were absent included pro-establishment camp convener Martin Liao Cheung-kong and Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee.

Some of those absent are attending the Belt and Road forum in Beijing.

Speaking after the meeting, Leung reminded members that the public had "high expectations" of them, therefore they should "know what they have to do in the future."

"It is councilors' own responsibility to figure out how to fulfill their job duties, it has to be dealt with by councilors themselves," he said.

Asked whether the situation has improved, Leung said: "Our legislature is very transparent, you all can see for yourselves. Councilors should be aware of the opinions already."

Election committee representative Doreen Kong Yuk-foon, who had a relatively low participation rate in previous votes, said she has already resigned from her role as MTR Corp's solicitor.

"I will invest more time in my legislative work. I am also thankful for all the reminders from veteran Legco members, I think all councilors will be aware of that," Kong said.

Fellow election committee sector rep William Wong Kam-fai said as a "newbie", there will be veteran councilors teaching them how to vote and the rules of attending meetings.

Wong, a Chinese University professor, said: "As a teacher, I think students attending class is a must. If the classroom is completely empty, everyone will feel unnatural."

Sole non-pro-establishment member Tik Chi-yuen said his participation rate was high.

"Sometimes members might have other duties and businesses at hand, but I have told my secretary to remind me to stop myself from missing a vote," Tik said.

This came after veteran member Martin Liao Cheung-kong sent out a "warm reminder," reminding them to attend and speak in Legco meetings.

The camp has also rolled out an arrangement that ensures more than half of Legco members are in attendance to vote and requires them to make a declaration if they have to leave the complex for over an hour.