The legislative Council (Legco) was to begin debating on proposed amendments to its Rules of Procedure yesterday as originally scheduled, but opposition lawmakers went on playing the evil trick of filibustering. They kept delivering lengthy speeches on certain uncontroversial topics, and repeatedly, for nine times, demanded for "headcount" and "debate to be adjourned". As a result, the meeting lasted from morning till eight o'clock in the evening, yet the debate on changes to its Rules of Procedure was still on the waiting list.
The fact once again proves that revising the Legco's Rules of Procedure is imperative and a must. In face of such an absurd situation in which the opposition resorts to the evil trick of filibustering to struggle against adoption of anti-filibustering measures, three parties concerned
must work out counter-measures and play an active role. Firstly, pro-establishment lawmakers must united as one and hold fast to their positions, so as to prevent a meeting to be adjourned due to lack of a quorum. Secondly, Legco President Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen must firmly withstand pressure and fulfil his duty, making a prompt decision whenever necessary to resolutely stop filibustering. Thirdly, massive citizens, who are the largest stake holder of the legislature, must speak out bravely on this matter of principle and show their hands that they support anti-filibustering and support making changes to the Rules of Procedure, so as not to allow the opposition's plot of playing for time to put off the voting [on the propose amendments to the Rule of Procedure] to get its way.
In order for so-called "trading time for space" to put off the debate on making changes to the Rules of Procedure until after the by-election in March, the opposition raises a false alarm by making some plausible assertions to mislead and intimidate people. One of such assertions is that revising the Rules of Procedure would weaken the legislature's capability to supervise the administration.
Such an assertion is absolutely untrusting and totally ungrounded. According to Article 73 of the Basic Law, Legco members indeed shall exercise functions including supervising the government's administration and checking on the spending of public funds. However, such functions must be exercised through effective and responsible debate and scrutiny, instead of "opposing whatever the government proposes" and vetoing every bill tabled by the government let alone doing filibustering at every meeting. Regardless whether a bill on political reform or one on copyright is being considered, it is opposed to the end. And there is always endless filibustering in every meeting. As such, most time of the Legco meetings is spent on quarrels, headcounts, ringing bells and adjournments of meetings. In this way, how could it be possible for the Legco to exercise its function of supervising the government on its administration?
It is on the contrary in fact. The proposed amendments to the Rules of Procedure suggest to lower the quorum requirement for the Committee of the whole Council, to raise the minimal number of members for an investigation committee, as well as to empower the President to decide on the Time of Speaking and on resuming adjourned debate. If all these amendments could be passed and put into practice, the Legco's work efficiency is bound to improve sharply. The opposition would no longer be able to make use of loopholes in the rules and do filibustering to block bills tables by government from being considered and voted to pass. The legislature must no longer be turned into a "paradise" for them to resist China, make trouble in Hong Kong and obstruct the government's administration in accordance with the law.
After the rules are revised, there will be no change to the Legco's statuary powers and functions, and lawmakers' powers and functions to question and supervise the government's administration will not be slightly restricted and weakened. Instead, only such a legislature can satisfy the Basic Law's stipulations on the executive-led government and the executive-legislative relations with the basic mechanisms of supervision, check as well as cooperation, and meet the needs for economic and social development and improvement of people's livelihood and serve the fundamental interests of all the people.
Moreover, in order to instill poisonous suspicions into people's minds, opposition lawmakers raised placards inside the Chamber yesterday with the slogan: "If the Rule of Procedure is revised today, then there will be legislation on Article 23 tomorrow". This is utter nonsense. Amending the Rules of Procedure is to improve the work efficiency of the Legco, nothing to do with Articles 23. The opposition attempt to raise a false alarm to scare people, so citizens must not be taken in.
07 December 2017
