Some have suggested reducing the number of Legislative Council members to address the government's urgent financial needs. However, whether viewed from a political perspective or from a cost-effectiveness perspective, a "perfected" Legislative Council, due to its inherent flaws, is doomed to waste taxpayers' money and inevitably become an inefficient and incompetent organization.
The new Legislative Council (7th term), which began operations in January 2022, has been repeatedly exposed by the media for its unethical political conduct. An investigative report noted that in the first eight months of 2023, the Legislative Council reviewed 24 bills. Of these, two-thirds (16) were voted on without a majority of members present, failing to meet the statutory minimum attendance requirement. Therefore, even if all votes were in favor, the votes should, in principle, be invalidated.
However, since no legislator requested a headcount, voting records were kept secret, and the Legislative Council President turned a blind eye, this collective effort "legalized" illegal activity. Furthermore, this activity was not isolated but a systematic conspiracy. If this continues, the Legislative Council, in its disregard for law and order, can legislate for Hong Kong people, setting a poor example of political morality. How can we speak ill of the rule of law in Hong Kong?
20% of legislators renounced their duties by not attending or speaking
A similar situation occurred within the Finance Committee, which approves financial appropriations. Reports indicate that when fifteen funding items were approved, less than one-third of the members were still present. Another investigative report found that approximately one-fifth of the members remained silent at all Finance Committee meetings, while some even left the meeting after it began. Furthermore, seven members, excluding the Legislative Council President, chose not to join the Finance Committee this year. Together with those who remained silent, this represents over 20% of the members, who have, through their actions, declared a renunciation of the Legislative Council's powers and responsibilities as stipulated in Article 73 of the Basic Law.
