Govt Paralysed And Hiding, Says Opposition

Pro-democracy lawmakers on Tuesday accused the Carrie Lam administration of trying to evade the people after more scheduled events were cancelled, amid accusations that the row over the now-suspended extradition bill has left the government paralysed.

However, Executive Councillor Lam Ching-choi played down the cancellation of Tuesday's Exco meeting for a second straight week, saying there was nothing pressing on the agenda.

Officials also announced that a public forum on proposed guidelines for November's District Council election was cancelled just hours before it was due to start on Tuesday. The decision came after online calls for people to attend and voice their concerns about the extradition bill.

Pro-democracy lawmakers blasted the government, saying officials are running away instead of coming out to face the public and address their demands.

Civic Party leader Alvin Yeung said this is highly irresponsible and a sign of government cowardice.

"When the government claims they want to connect with Hong Kong people, this is blatantly a disconnection with Hong Kong people," he said.

The convenor of the pro-democracy camp, Claudia Mo, said the paralysis of the government is self-induced.

Mo said the government is so nervous about the slightest provocation. "This government is become a joke for the Hong Kong community and the international community," she said.

Lawmaker Au Nok-hin said cancelling events like the forum on district council election guidelines would not make the conflict go away.

"The conflict is still in the society about the extradition bill," he said. The government should face up to the conflict ... and not hiding from the scene," he said.

But Development Secretary Michael Wong rebuffed such allegations, pointing out that the development panel had met on Tuesday.

"Many normal events in society are still happening. It's true that the social atmosphere right now is quite tense, and we think that if there is a chance for the society to relax a bit, for everyone to calm down, then we can be pragmatic and do our job," he said.

Exco member Lam Ching-choi said Carrie Lam – who has not made a public appearance since last Tuesday – decided to cancel the weekly advisory meeting after considering the present circumstances and recent events.

He also urged the people to give the Chief Executive some space, saying she has been working hard to listen to people's views.