Legislative Council Joke of the Day

Yesterday I sat for a welfare services panel meeting discussing review of Hong Kong's last safety net for the territory's underprivileged--the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme(CSSA). Hong Kong's economy suffered a turmoil since SARs in 2003. CSSA was therefore drastically slashed by 11%. To a family receiving about HK$4000 a month, taking an 11% cut is a lot of money to them. Many items like children's school uniforms, glasses or internet access fees are not always included. The scheme is insanely complicated and I'm still trying to understand who gets how much under what situation after being a social welfare reporter full time for one year. Don't feel too bad if you are kinda lost here. Anyway, the CSSA level were not restored to a normal level until now even the economy is getting back on track. Last year the government has proposed a 0.4% increase and a 1.2% increase next year. Dole receipients could get something from HK$13.8 to HK$50 a month,depending on how poor and disabled you are.

The Legislative Council Building in Central

During the meeting, radical lawmaker Leung Kwok-hung, a.k.a. Long Hair,frustrated by official b.s., urged another lawmaker Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung who is representing the welfare sector that,
"Chairman, please, (sigh), can we please ban this official from coming to our next meeting?" and told the officials that"You guys,please don't come to Legco again,you are useless!" Leung said.

Fernando Cheung (photo from www.legco.gov.hk)

Lawmakers, or Legislative Councillors blasted on government's cold blooded attitude after it refused to launch a study reviewing levels of CSSA payment.
Principal Assistant Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food Bureau Cheung Doi-ching gave the following reply:
In fact Hong Kong government really values whether children living in poverty are getting enough assistance. That's why Hong Kong provides 9 years of free education and we also have community centres for them. The Jocky Club also.......

Having heard the most outrageously ridiculous official reply, that's why Long hair came in making the emotional statement.
Of course it's not up to Long Hair to decide which officials are to attend Legco meeting, but don't you think our Hong Kong government's officials are just adorable?

Long Hair(photo from his website)