Legislators Take Aim At Govt Handling Of Conflicts

Pro-government lawmaker Elizabeth Quat said on Saturday she is disappointed with the administration's handling of the extradition bill controversy, saying it has not done enough to listen to people's views.

Speaking on a radio programme, Quat said the government often handles matters using "Stone Age methods". The DAB legislator said officials have not significantly changed their attitude, even during the current political storm.

Asked whether an independent inquiry would help resolve the crisis, she said the government could consider an inquiry looking at the whole extradition bill controversy. But she also said it would harm police morale if the inquiry turns its focus on their behaviour during the recent saga.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy lawmaker Gary Fan says the administration's inaction is the root cause of recent conflicts between protesters and the police.

The Neo Democrats legislator said as long as the government "hides" behind the police, clashes will re-occur and "bloodshed will continue".

He said it was clear that police had used violence against protesters during recent clashes in Sheung Shui and Sha Tin, which left more than two dozen people injured.

"So I call on the protesters to do everything to protect themselves from police brutality," Fan said. "'Be water, my friend' – I think this is a principle we should hold dear when we take to the streets to go protest or rally or express our demands to the government."