Standing accountable to the community

My Manifesto was issued in stages in the form of consultation drafts from December 2011 onwards. In the last chapter, "Administrative and Political System", I share with readers my vision and goals in developing an administrative and political system capable of achieving social harmony, safeguarding our core values and enhancing the legitimacy of the Government. To this end, I have put forward a series of suggestions which cover the reorganisation of the Government Secretariat.

During the campaign I honoured my promise, "Together we write the Manifesto", by reaching out to the general public and various sectors to listen to their views on the consultation drafts and learn more about their needs. The drafts were then revised accordingly to accommodate people's expectations and concerns. The key proposals outlined in the final version of my Manifesto, which address issues such as housing, poverty and economic development under the principle of "seeking changes while preserving stability", are in fact based on the feedback we received during this three-month consultation.

In the month or so after the election, my colleagues in the Office of the Chief Executive-elect and I have been busy refining our reorganisation plan. This involves continuous dialogues and discussions with the current government and civil service bodies through the Chief Executive's Office.

Lately, in addition to briefing members of the Legislative Council and political parties, directors of bureaux and heads of departments, as well as directorate staff of Administrative Officer Grade, on the concepts of reorganisation, we have also arranged meetings with the following bodies to collect their views:

Chairmen of the 18 District Councils
Senior Civil Service Council
Model Scale 1 Staff Consultative Council
Police Force Council
Disciplined Services Consultative Council
Government Employees Association
Hong Kong Civil Servants General Union
Hong Kong Federation of Civil Service Unions
Government Disciplined Services General Union
The Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions
Federation of Hong Kong Guangdong Community Organisations
Federation of Hong Kong Chiu Chow Community Organisations
Hong Kong Federation of Overseas Chinese Associations
New Territories Association of Societies
Hong Kong Federation of Fujian Associations
Kowloon Federation of Associations
Federation of Hong Kong Guangxi Community Organisations
Hong Kong Federation of Guangdong Hakka Associations

We also deliver the message to every corner of our community with the help of the media. We arranged a media session immediately following the Executive Council's endorsement of the proposed reorganisation last Friday. Then we attended radio programmes and the City Forum in Victoria Park as well as press interviews to explain our proposals to the general public. We have made a non-stop effort to ensure that the matter is given full attention.

The reorganisation proposal was submitted to the LegCo Panel on Constitutional Affairs yesterday. It has been decided that a public hearing will be held on May 19 to collect the views of the people and various bodies.

I hope that these efforts make clear our wish to stand accountable to the entire community. These endeavours are unprecedented in the context of previous reorganisation exercises and, looking ahead, we will keep this momentum going and meet with other stakeholders to hear their voices.

My Manifesto embraces the wisdom of the people and the wishes of the public. Certainly, for my proposals to come to fruition, a comprehensive government structure is essential.

May 10, 2012