Govt Says It Doesn't Want 'big Changes' In Legco

Acting Chief Executive Matthew Cheung has dismissed as “speculative” media reports about a potential move by Beijing to disqualify a number of pro-democracy lawmakers for filibustering, refusing to address reporters’ questions on whether such a step would turn the legislature into a rubber stamp.

But he also said that the government does not want to see any “big changes” in Legco, adding that the central government also hopes that lawmakers can continue to carry out their duties

Reports said the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC) could discuss the issue of Legco filibustering during a meeting in the capital on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Exactly how the NPCSC could strip pro-democracy lawmakers of their seats remained unclear, although there were suggestions that an interpretation of the Basic Law was on the cards, or that councillors could be accused of violating their oaths of office.

Nineteen pro-democracy lawmakers threatened on Monday to resign en masse if any of them are disqualified.

Before the weekly Executive Council meeting, Cheung was asked whether such a move by Beijing would mean that the mainland and SAR governments will only allow pro-establishment voices in the council, and what signal this would send to the international community.

But Cheung insisted he would not comment on what he called "speculative and unverified" reports.

“We don’t comment. We’re not in a position to comment on speculative reports to the media. So I’m afraid you have to excuse us at this stage that we have nothing to offer, nothing to comment,” he said.

Cheung also said that everyone can see that the "problem" of lawmakers making quorum calls during council meetings is "very serious" and that this has affected Legco’s work.