The leader Hong Kong needs
Philip Yeung says our governance must be overhauled, no matter who is elected. The city requires a chief executive who will listen, apologise for mistakes, reach out to those with opposing views, and, vitally, improve the economy and people’s livelihoods
One thing is for sure after the chief executive election: Hong Kong will be even more divided. This city has lost the art of compromise.
Now is the time to forget the labels and ask what kind of leader Hong Kong needs. The deep divisions cannot be wished away by smiles and good public relations vibes. We need someone with the healing touch.
The chief executive election Hong Kong could have had
But we don’t need a leader who hankers for the trappings of power or the opportunity to hobnob with the well-heeled. The chief executive is there to serve the people, not subserve the super-rich.
Even more pressing than specific policy ideas, Hong Kong’s next leader must set a new style of governance; clearly, the old confrontational style doesn’t work. That means setting a new tone and restoring respect in dealing with people of different political stripes. In a divided city, you cannot lead without respectful listening.
But people have been promised that before. This time, genuine listening must mean more than lip service. First, in public consultations, the government must avoid having a hidden, preset agenda. Contrarian views are often early signs of trouble to come, and should be welcomed. Consultants are not the government’s mouthpieces, paid to lend legitimacy to its actions.
Secondly, all government programmes must be subject to periodic reviews by stakeholders, with no sacred cows, and no thin-skinned officials. Governance is a two-way street, not a one-way lava flow.
This brings up the next point: disown the idea of “infallibility”. Officials are not gods, despite being self-proclaimed elites. We all make mistakes. Officials often make mistakes. Considering that most administrative officers and even principal officials are “generalists” who lack either specific disciplinary knowledge or frontline experience, it behoves them to be humble. There is no shame in making mistakes. But defending the indefensible poisons the relationship with the public. When officials become tone-deaf, the dispute spills over into the streets, and spirals out of control.
Governance is a two-way street, not a one-way lava flow
The new administration should be inclusive. There is no quicker way to disarm your opponents than by forming a “cabinet of rivals”. By co-opting the opposition, they can be turned into servants of the people, instead of being bitter critics of the government. Given responsibility, even diehard opponents will behave responsibly.
Appointments should be made strictly on merit, regardless of political affiliations. No more wishy-washy types like Eddie Ng Hak-kim, Lau Kong-wah or Greg So Kam-leung to irk the public. If you want quality governance, hire quality people. Cronyism is the cancer of good governance.
How should Hong Kong ‘drain the swamp’?
The small, tight circle that runs Hong Kong
We are due for a leader with vision and conviction who feels called to serve. If that person doesn’t appear soon, 2047 may not look so bad
Interestingly, this election features only former public servants, including a retired judge. This spells its own problems, because for too long, government policies have been designed and delivered from the civil servants’ tunnel vision. With their fat pensions, generous housing and education allowances, civil servants live in an alternative universe and develop their own blind spots.
A new leader must try to see ordinary people’s needs from a non-civil-servant angle, or progress on livelihood issues including a universal pension, housing and education will never see the light of day. Tellingly, civil servants’ needs in these areas have been comfortably catered to.
Philip Yeung is a former speechwriter to the president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. [email protected]
