Undemocratic Ways to Solicit Opinions

Behind Lam it says "Preserve One Country Two Systems"

Tomorrow Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor will head to Beijing to convey her views and public opinions about the national security law that is being drafted.

However, whose opinions will she communicate to the Standing Committee?

Today Lam got Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen, President of the Legislative Council, to ban Democratic Party chairman Wu Chi-wai from asking about the new law, saying it was national-level legislation and therefore not the work of the city government.

This is the first time since the handover that Legco has forbidden a lawmaker from raising a question with proper notice given.

Wu Chi-wai unable to ask a question on the bill

Wu wanted officials to explain what measures would be taken to protect people's rights and freedoms under the Basic Law after the national security law is implemented.

Leung claimed the matter is "not part of the Hong Kong government's work" because it involves defense and foreign affairs which is under the central government's purview.

Wu said the ban of his question was a "formal rejection" by the Hong Kong government of consultations with lawmakers and the public over legislation.

Which seems opposite to what Tam Yiu-chung said a few days ago. He claimed the public could send their concerns and opinions to the National People's Congress website. So to reject a lawmaker's concern on behalf of Hongkongers is very concerning.

But Tam, the sole Hong Kong member of the Standing Committee of the NPC has also changed his tune.

Tam (left) shows over 2.9 million signed petition

In the past few days there have been posters and tables on street corners, asking people to sign petitions in support of the national security law, an the pro-establishment side claims 2.93 million Hongkongers have signed it, and added Tam would present these to the liaison office.

He is obviously fishing for brownie points with Beijing, because a recent survey conducted by the Hong Kong Public Opinion Program revealed 96 percent of respondents opposed the upcoming national security law, and of those who were pro-government, 29 percent rejected the legislation, while 62 percent supported it.

Both Tam and Lam can only say so much about the national security law because they have no idea what exactly is in it. It is a complete farce for them, along with the security and justice chiefs to promote the law when they are not even privy to know what's in it.

Apparently lots of people support the new law

It is akin to a car salesman trying to sell you a vehicle without knowing any of its specific features, only saying that it's a car that you must have. Now.

No wonder people are rushing to the exits. Today a colleague who has a British passport, endorsed several others co-workers' applications for BNO passports. I joked that my colleague should charge a "processing fee", as this person has signed over 10 applications for co-workers and their family members.

But really it's not a laughing matter when a law that you don't know anything about is going to be foisted on you whether you like it or not...