Appointees must earn the public’s trust
Thousands of people have been hand-picked to serve in various community bodies in what is seen as another step by the Hong Kong government to enhance district administration. Even though they are lower-level appointments, they are also part of a high-stakes revamp to entrust governance to patriots. The appointees must take their roles seriously and discharge their duties conscientiously.
The memberships of the so-called “three committees” across the 18 municipal councils have expanded by nearly one-fifth to 2,999. Among them, 1,937 joined area committees, 536 went to district fight crime committees, and 526 became members of district fire safety committees. They comprise all incumbent district councillors, losers in the December elections, as well as community figures.
The committees had not received much public attention until recently, when members were granted powers to nominate candidates for the district council elections and to return 176 councillors, about 37 per cent of the seats. The inclusion of all councillors has inevitably raised questions over the nominating role of the committees in future. There also are political perception issues when those defeated in the elections can now serve the community along with the winners in the committees.
Officials said the appointments had not considered whether one had failed in the elections or not, saying they were made having taken into account the individual’s ability, expertise, experience, integrity, and commitment to serving the community. The arrangement for all incumbent councillors to join the committees was to strengthen the connection and collaboration with the district councils, they added. To what extent the revamp makes a difference remains to be seen.
But like many councillors, the appointees are unknown to the people and therefore must work harder to engage them. The district councils revamp is the last part of a major governance overhaul to keep political power in the hands of those trusted by Beijing. Being the closest to the community, the councils and the committees are in the best position to feel the public pulse and help shape policies and decisions that address people’s needs. The members must strive to win broader public trust and live up to expectations.