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Hong Kong officials ‘gain points’ for shelving waste-charging scheme but saga exposes policy execution gaps, analysts say
- Central government will probably advise John Lee to tread carefully even on seemingly ‘trivial’ practical matters, veteran political analyst says
- Shelving controversial scheme seems to be the wisest and most politically cost-effective way to handle situation, another academic says
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Hong Kong leader John Lee Ka-chiu’s administration has won praise for being politically wise in suspending a controversial waste-charging scheme amid opposition from various sectors but analysts have also warned the saga has exposed inadequacies in policy execution.
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Veteran China watcher Professor Lau Siu-kai on Monday also said he believed Beijing might seek to micromanage more and could take a closer look at the government’s opinion gathering and analysis ability in the days to come.
At a Legislative Council panel meeting on Monday, Deputy Chief Secretary Warner Cheuk Wing-hing said the waste-charging scheme would not be implemented on August 1 as scheduled.
The decision was made, Cheuk said, after various surveys revealed the public had huge reservations, pointing to limited coverage of recycling facilities.
Lau said: “I think the incident will dent the government’s authority a little bit. But I do not think it will be too severe since the scheme has not yet been implemented.
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“The government might gain some points because of its willingness to change course amid public opposition.”
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