Editorial | Carrie Lam fails to come up with answers needed during political crisis

Delivering her policy address amid the city’s worst political crisis proved to be a challenge for Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor. For the first time, the Hong Kong leader switched to a pre-recorded speech after opposition lawmakers repeatedly disrupted the annual ritual. While there were some concrete measures to tackle housing and other livelihood problems, effective solutions to end the raging social turmoil were still badly lacking.

The chief executive admitted her blueprint was not an answer to the crisis. But whether it could be, as she said, the beginning of reconciliation remains to be seen. It seems her strategy is little more than appealing to the public to cherish Hong Kong and not to condone violence. She has repeatedly rejected an independent inquiry into police action and other demands by protesters. But without further political steps, it is difficult to see how the unrest can be brought under control.

The embattled leader instead sought to impress with her determination to lead. With some 220 commitments in her third policy blueprint, entitled “Treasure Hong Kong Our Home”, she could have won some applause had it not been overshadowed by the unrest. The new measures on land supply and housing, such as raising the cap for mortgage insurance and giving a one-off living subsidy for those waiting for public rental flats, are bold steps to tackle the homes conundrum. But other initiatives will take time to show results. Whether they will make housing more affordable remains to be seen. However, there are worries that the property market may even heat up again.

Lam has sensibly resisted cash handouts for all, but the plethora of new spending initiatives, such as an increased transport subsidy and an allowance for students, still give the impression that she is splashing money around to boost her flagging popularity.

The government is not unaware of the pressure to defuse the current crisis. As Lam rightly noted, many people are asking whether Hong Kong will return to how it was and if it is still a place where we can live in peace. Although she is trying hard to instil hope and confidence in the future of the city, she does not seem to have an answer as to when and how the city can return to normal.

That makes implementation of the initiatives, many of which require approval by the Legislative Council, even more uncertain. The chaos in Legco yesterday does not bode well for smooth governance in the coming year. The pan-democrats have been criticised for blocking Lam’s speech, but antagonism is likely to prevail if the crisis drags on. Whether the blueprint can help Lam turn the tide hinges on her ability to end the unrest.