Accountability system: a tool to centralize power

Recently, Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa proposed a controversial accountability system aimed at improving administrative officials' quality and performance. I think that this is, however, a false aim because of the ambiguous illustration given by the chief executive on the motion. Worse still, this system, which is unfamiliar to both the politicians and the public, is going to be implemented by July 1. The proposal stated that there would be 11 ministerial portfolios in addition to the chief secretary, financial secretary and secretary for justice. It implied that certain bureaus would merge. Therefore, the number of officials would decrease. Basically, this can help reduce expenditure of the government in this adverse economic situation. As I see it, however, there is more to the plan than meets the eye. Under the proposed system, appointments of the ministers need to be approved by the central government, but would not be elected by the public. This way of selecting officials is not democratic. It would give more power to the chief executive. As the number of department heads decreases, and the ministers are appointed by the central government, it is apparent that the power will be centralized under the will of the chief executive. It also implies that the chief executive would have fewer barriers in his policy making and policy implementation. Although this system finds precedent in several foreign countries, the case in Hong Kong is different. For instance, our chief executive, unlike the presidents of democratic countries, is not elected by the public. Therefore, the proposed system is conceptually dissimilar. In addition, this accountability system violates the traditional political stance of civil servants. Civil servants should worry about political allegiances since their political stances are supposed to be neutral. This is essential to the political success of Hong Kong. Under the new plan, ministers will be approved by the central Government. It is very possible that some of the new appointed officials will be pro-China politicians. If this be the case, the autonomy of Hong Kong is in doubt. I believe that it is crucial to have more clarity on the proposal. Ho Kwok Wai Kwun Tong

Immoral university students

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction on the morality of some university students. I am a final year student at The Chinese University of Hong Kong and I used to live in a hostel. In past years, I was always annoyed by the problem of food storage. I have lived in two different hostels but there are still always thieves who steal food from the refrigerator. As a university student, I think that being knowledgeable is not enough. We should have a high standard of morality. I just can't imagine that a person who has learnt so many things for so many years can still have such immoral behavior. Rick Wong Mong Kok

Letters to the Editor, with the writer's name, address and daytime contact number, should be sent to: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 202, Humanities Building, New Asia College, or faxed to 2603-6610, or e-mailed to varsity@cuhk.edu.hk. Letters may be edited for reasons of space, style and clarity.