Letters | Legco election: 3 reasons the low voter turnout is no failure

Readers call for a focus on quality over quantity with regard to the new Legislative Council, the proper disposal of election banners, continued support for a charity hit by scandal, a review of Hong Kong’s stressful education system, and a positive mindset for Hong Kong

Hong Kong Legislative Council election 2021

Letters

Published: 6:30am, 1 Jan 2022

Why you can trust SCMP

The voter turnout for the 2021 Legislative Council election was 30.2 per cent, the lowest since 1997. Some people interpreted this as a failure of democracy. There is no opposition, some complained.

First, it is the quality that counts, and not the quantity. We want to elect a constructive council that works for Hong Kong and China, and not a foreign country.

Since most from the yellow camp stayed away from the election, let it be. There is no point making up a council that gets nothing important done. For example, Article 23 has still not been passed, leaving Hong Kong vulnerable to foreign interference. Hong Kong education has produced some youngsters capable of inflicting verbal or bodily violence on other people with different opinions.

Second, there is still a diversity of opinions in the council. This is constructive diversity by those who love Hong Kong and China, and not destructive opposition by those who oppose for the sake of opposing.

Third, there are many reasons why people do not vote. Apart from the yellow camp’s boycott, some could be content with their lives.

Look at Taiwan. It is grappling with a political and health issue regarding US pork that contains the feed additive ractopamine. Yet more than half of the Taiwanese did not vote in the referendum against this issue. Maybe some do not believe the chemical is harmful. Maybe some do not have the expertise to know if the chemical is harmful, and chose to trust politicians.

Maybe some are politically indifferent and pay no attention to politics. Of course, there could be some who are fed up with politics.

Therefore, do not focus on the voter turnout. Focus on the quality of the council that works for Hong Kong and China.

P.Y. Chan, Ontario

Election over, the posters and banners must go too

Now that the new-look Legislative Council election is over, please may we be assured that all the electioneering banners will be removed from railings and other places in a timely fashion, and with the same zeal with which they were displayed?

If the banners are not removed (as is usually the case, at least for a very long time) the material rapidly degrades with UV exposure, becomes tatty, and degenerates into an eyesore and a source of polluting litter.

They have served their purpose. They do not beautify the environment, and they should be removed at once.

Guy F. Nowell, Sai Kung

Charity’s good work should not be overshadowed

Recent events at the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children have cast a pall over a charity that has, for almost a century, worked tirelessly and without fanfare caring for the neediest children of Hong Kong.

Its work remains vital, ensuring that children from homes where family struggles prevent opportunities for development continue to find a safe haven.

The acts of a few shall not undermine the decades of hard work and commitment the staff of the charity have unfailingly given. As a past deputy chair of the charity’s fundraising committee, I hope that the generosity of Hong Kong people shall not be dissuaded from continuing support for an organisation which since 1926 has been a beacon of hope, love and opportunity.

Mark Peaker, former deputy chairman of fundraising, Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children

Stress in school, not politics, driving Hong Kong exodus

I refer to the article, “Top UK schools turning away Hong Kong pupils” (December 6). It’s not uncommon for Hong Kong’s young people to choose studies abroad. But while many attribute the recent wave of departures to politics, I believe the main driver is stress in local schools.

In primary school, we had to sit the Territory-wide System Assessment which the Education Bureau uses to measure how well students are learning. Even though the results of these tests do not affect student grades, we still had to study hard for them so the school could score high marks. Teachers pushed students to do well.

Hong Kong is a results-oriented society. To secure a good job in future, we put in so much effort to prepare for the school-leaving exams, losing sleep and leisure time in the process. Yet if the results are not as we hoped, it feels like all of our efforts were in vain.

The expectations of teachers and parents are so high that they are hard to bear. As a result, many students suffer stress and even depression.

It is the time the Education Bureau reviewed its policies and found some effective ways to help reduce the burden on teachers and students, and make studying stress-free.

Kitty Ku, Kwai Chung

Hongkongers will pull through and lift gloom over city

I refer to the article, “People’s perceptions of life in Hong Kong are changing for the better. Could this be a turning point?” (December 22). I agree with the writers that there are many factors affecting Hong Kong’s liveability ranking.

It is true that many recent events have made Hong Kong people feel unsettled about the city’s future. But although the government still cannot be trusted, I believe Hong Kong people will be proactive and work together to improve our city.

Heidi Kwok, Kwai Chung