Carrie Lam Promises To Learn From Criticism

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that she accepts criticism about her administration's handling of some livelihood issues and promised to be more prudent in future as well as to communicate better with the public on such matters.

Lam and her officials had come under some severe criticism from critics, and even political parties that support her government, over controversial changes that were made in the welfare policy for the elderly and plans to change tunnel toll rates.

Lam, speaking before the weekly Executive Council meeting, said she has reflected on her leadership and governance in the wake of the criticism and it had reminded her of how things could have been done in a better way.

“Regarding the livelihood issues recently, I’ve reflected [on the criticism]. The issues may cause people to worry about the governance and my leadership ... I totally take in the criticisms,” she said.

“Are there ways to handle it more prudently? Can the policy be more comprehensive? Or can we be better in explaining and [in our] interaction with the public? This I totally accept and it’s also a good reminder," she went on.

"In the future we will make reference to these and improve our work,” the top official said.