Pan-dems set up new panels to protest proposed Hong Kong Legco rule changes

Opposition bloc, short on numbers in the chamber, attempts showcase value a power which pro-establishment members want to weaken

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The pan-democrats said they were trying to show off the value of the current Legco rules. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 8:04pm, 13 Dec 2017Updated: 1:51pm, 14 Dec 2017

Hong Kong’s pro-democracy legislators attempted to showcase the benefits of a power that their opponents want to take from them, by voting on Wednesday to set up committees looking into two hot-button local issues.

Their successful bid came amid their failing attempts to stall the debate on changes to the Legislative Council’s rule book, proposed by the pro-establishment bloc to curb filibustering.

The changes are likely go through with Legco president Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen ordering extra meetings between Wednesday and next Monday, or until the debate on the amendments is completed.

The 23 pan-democrats, plus medical sector representative Pierre Chan, successfully requested two new committees. One will look into cost overruns at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge and the other into the sale of shopping malls by Link Reit, Asia’s largest property investment trust.

Currently, Legco has to set up a select committee once 20 of its 70 lawmakers back a petition to do so. The pro-establishment camp has suggested raising the threshold to 35.

Pro-democracy camp convenor Charles Mok said Wednesday’s move was an attempt to showcase the value of the current rules.