What is a legislator

We often see Legislators speaking in the Legislative Council Chamber - sometimes politely, but sometimes in a heated manner, and even in confrontation with other legislators or government officials! Regardless of the way they present their opinions, they are doing their job of monitoring the government on behalf of the public and ultimately ensuring government policies are working for the public interest. Legislators are channels for the government to understand what the public wants. With such important duties and responsibilities, how should a legislator be like?

The Hon. Sin Chung Kai, Legislative Councillor (IT), has some words for his successor:

I've served the ICT industry for ten years. I enjoyed working with the industry and I would like to share a few words with my successor. In the course of my service for the IT industry, I followed some guiding principles.

First of all, although I represent this ICT sector, I always uphold public interest as the priority because it is the most important thing for every legislator. Secondly, it is important to safeguard the sector's interest, but in the course of doing so, I think maintaining fairness and openness is also very important.

I always alert myself that I have to be impartial among various ICT organizations and avoid any conflict of interest between my role as legislator and those of different IT companies or organizations.

Politics is a dangerous profession. Traps and controversies could come along if a legislator isn't impartial. So I think integrity is most important above all, and that actually helped shield me away from any controversies and scandals which could have happened if I didn't strictly stick to this principal. Also, always keep in mind to avoid any possible conflict of interest; and never sacrifice the interest of our sector as a bargaining chip.

I hope my successor is capable of leading and catalyzing the ICT industry to evolve to a different stage for the betterment of the industry itself and for society at large.

Note:

According to Article 66 to 79 of the Basic Law, the powers and functions of legislative councilors are to enact laws; examine and approve budgets, taxation and public expenditure; and monitor the work of the government. They are also given the power to endorse the appointment and removal of the judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court, as well as the power to impeach the Chief Executive.