HK rivals join hands

HONG KONG – Politicians and parties across the political spectrum in Hong Kong have joined hands to demand the government drop plans to cut pensions and welfare payments to the old and disabled from October 1.

The rare show of unity comes just days after Hong Kong voters elected a new legislature, and political analysts say the city’s China-backed government can expect more such opposition from lawmakers in the years ahead. The previous legislative chamber had approved the government’s plan to cut welfare as part of a policy package to reduce expenditure and a ballooning deficit.The change of heart came after a group of newly elected lawmakers, including maverick “Longhair” Leung Kwok-hung, called on the government to suspend its plan, which would have affected 232 000 people and saved the government HK$360 million (US$46 million) a year.”There is a broad consensus to block the government from cutting welfare for the aged and the handicapped,” said Albert Ho, vice chairman of the Democratic Party that is fighting for full direct elections in the former British colony that reverted to Beijing in 1997.The pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) — the largest party in the legislature has also opposed the cut.”We feel that there should be no cut for the old and the handicapped,” said Ip Kwok-him, deputy chairman of the DAB.Chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has said he would consider the demand.The decision to cut welfare payment can only be reversed if Tung’s cabinet changes its mind.People have refocused on bread-and-butter issues after the legislative elections on September 12, a survey released yesterday showed.In a poll by the University of Hong Kong, 65 percent of respondents said they were most concerned with economic problems, up from 63 percent three months ago.Only 14 percent said they were satisfied with economic conditions, down from 16 percent.- Nampa-ReutersThe previous legislative chamber had approved the government’s plan to cut welfare as part of a policy package to reduce expenditure and a ballooning deficit.The change of heart came after a group of newly elected lawmakers, including maverick “Longhair” Leung Kwok-hung, called on the government to suspend its plan, which would have affected 232 000 people and saved the government HK$360 million (US$46 million) a year.”There is a broad consensus to block the government from cutting welfare for the aged and the handicapped,” said Albert Ho, vice chairman of the Democratic Party that is fighting for full direct elections in the former British colony that reverted to Beijing in 1997.The pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (DAB) — the largest party in the legislature has also opposed the cut.”We feel that there should be no cut for the old and the handicapped,” said Ip Kwok-him, deputy chairman of the DAB.Chief executive Tung Chee-hwa has said he would consider the demand.The decision to cut welfare payment can only be reversed if Tung’s cabinet changes its mind.People have refocused on bread-and-butter issues after the legislative elections on September 12, a survey released yesterday showed.In a poll by the University of Hong Kong, 65 percent of respondents said they were most concerned with economic problems, up from 63 percent three months ago.Only 14 percent said they were satisfied with economic conditions, down from 16 percent.- Nampa-Reuters