Let’s give new chief executive a fighting chance to make a difference

Nobody could fairly say that the role of the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government is an easy job; terrifically well-paid, though it is. That, perhaps, explains just why it is that there was only one candidate for election to the position. But be that as it may, we can hope that the chief executive-elect, John Lee Ka-chiu, will be given a fighting chance to seriously address a range of Hong Kong’s problems in the early days and weeks of his new administration; and that, before he becomes widely condemned in the media, including the social media.

Some of the troublesome issues that he faces are global climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine. None of these matters originated in Hong Kong, so Hong Kong cannot be blamed for them. On the other hand, all are having an effect on Hong Kong, and all remain as very tricky international issues of the highest concern.

Knowing this background, Mr Lee would be well-advised to hit the ground running, with new policies and new priorities emanating swiftly from the new CE. Indeed, he may well select a number of new faces at the top of the government structure of Hong Kong. Many politicians seek power because they have a strong desire to make this world a better place. It may be desired that Mr Lee develops into a leader who is passionate about achieving his goals while in our top government position ... to be a politician of principle.

There is a common situation faced by governments around the world that even much-needed changes are hard to be achieved as promptly as many people would wish. That inertia troubles our Hong

Kong corridors of power, in Tamar, too.

So, Mr Lee would do well to establish revised high-level committees to really force through the much-needed improvements topic-by-topic. He needs to appoint chairs for these, selected from people who know how to get things done. That would naturally include some of Hong Kong’s most successful businessmen and businesswomen, rather than civil servants.

It would be a fine thing if Mr Lee’s administration could go down in history as one that achieved many important improvements, benefiting the lives of millions of Hong Kong citizens.

There is much to be said for having one of these new empowering committees focus on making much-needed changes to our Mandatory Provident Fund system, resulting in each Hong Kong resident reaching retirement age able to receive a monthly pension for life (enough to live on, comfortably). Certainly, that will cost a lot of money; but Hong Kong has fantastic levels of financial reserves, so the city could readily afford it. And in any case, shouldn’t part of these reserves be spent on improving the lives of Hong Kong residents — whose money it surely is?

Steps are already being taken to try to ease the shortage of affordable-housing stock. But notwithstanding such efforts, it is clear that even more needs to be done to help the supply of homes satisfy the growing demand. The abomination of the existence of “cage homes” casts a long-lasting stain on Hong Kong. This matter of good housing also touches upon another social problem: Hong Kong is an aging society. A good way to encourage our young married couples to have a family would be to offer them priority housing in which to build a family.

A third high-powered committee could examine the range of services and support offered to our differently abled citizens, including the new provision of decent monthly living allowances (since few of them are able to land a job).

I daresay that Mr Lee will have pet projects of his own, which he will like to include in his administration’s program for change.

Within these last few years, many thousands of young people in Hong Kong have expressed their disappointment with existing or new governmental policies. Setting up a high-level committee, which would include youngsters from diverse backgrounds, could lead to reducing their alienation and anger while improving their prospects. Any government needs to listen to the expressed needs of its citizens; wise governments listen acutely to the voices of their youth.

Of course, it would be inappropriate to expect that, say in his first 100 days in office as Hong Kong’s CE, Mr Lee can simply wave his magic wand to put the world immediately to rights. He has years ahead of him in his new position. But by beginning with concrete and time-sensitive plans, such as those mentioned here, a good start could be made on the raft of difficult issues that will land on his new desk!