Working Report of
Legislative Councilor Samson Tam Wai Ho
(Information Technology)

(February 2011)

中文

I. Focus Updates

1.  The Financial Secretary finally amended the Budget to alleviate people’s  hardship
財政司司長終肯修訂預算案，以紓解民困

The budget (2011-12) speech delivered by the Financial Secretary on 23 February aroused immediate and fierce discussion in the society. Though the Budget introduced many anti-inflation and relief measures, it failed to win support from majority of the public. Some people criticized the government for having huge fiscal reserve yet refused to return wealth to the public. To this end, I met with the Financial Secretary with some LegCo members and urged him to listen to public opinion, refine the Budget and alleviate people’s hardship. Finally, with concerted efforts, we succeeded in persuading the FS, and he announced on 2 March that he was willing to give up the proposed MPF injection measure and, in lieu, arrange for distributing $6,000 in cash to each of the permanent residents of Hong Kong of 18 years of age or above; also with 75% of salary tax exemption capped to $6,000.  Besides, the government will set aside a sum of money to help those people with “Multi No’s”.

In addition to helping improve people’s livelihood, the Budget also proposed many measures to promote economic development which includes expanding regional cooperation and promoting development of innovation and technology industries. My initial responses to the Budget consist of the following three aspects:

1. In the 12th Five-Year Plan, the government lacks clarity and aggressiveness on securing a new positioning for Hong Kong;

2. The upgrade of Steering Committee on Innovation and Technology is welcomed.  And I expect the Government will, under the leadership of the FS,  seek necessary  funding and set pertinent policies, towards setting up of the Innovation and Technology Bureau for promoting the ICT development;

3. I would expect the government will develop Hong Kong into a high-end data centre and have this set into a key focus area under the 12th Five-Year Plan.

The following links are the full text of the Budget 2011-12:

http://www.budget.gov.hk/2011/eng/speech.html (English)
http://www.budget.gov.hk/2011/chi/speech.html (Chinese)

2.   Raised 102 questions regarding the Budget and collected opinions through online and offline channels
        向政府提出102條提問，並透過網上網下渠道收集業界對預算案意見

Regarding the Budget 2011-12, I raised 102 questions in total towards different government departments to ensure proper use of public money.  As usual, I set up a Facebook group of “Budget opinions from IT people” with a view to collecting wider opinions through online and offline channels. My questions have been posted in the web and your message is welcome as well. I will collect the opinions and reflect them to the government for further following-up.

Checking out the Facebook Group in the following link:
www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=339042969816


 

3.    Concerning about the development of e-Cert
    關注電子證書持續發展

A meeting of the LegCo Panel on Information Technology and Broadcasting discussed the items of update on the operation of the Hong Kong Post Certification Authority e-Cert services, Radio Television Hong Kong - new     developments in public service broadcasting, and strengthening of the directorate support for Radio Television Hong Kong. I supported the Government’s sub-contracting approach to keep the e-Cert services. But, I don’t think it is effective to rely merely on the commercial sector to push application of the local e-Cert services. I suggested the government to enhance its strength on promotion, increase knowledge of the public on e-Cert and hence their awareness of online security.

4.    The LegCo passed a bill on expanding the electorate base of the IT sector
    立法會通過擴大資訊科技界別的選民基礎

The LegCo just finished its third reading on “Chief Executive Election (Amendment) Bill 2010" and the "Legislative Council (Amendment) Bill 2010”. The Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council joined the IT sector and around 100 members of the Council will become eligible voters. I focused mainly on two aspects of the amendment: first, corporate votes are to be removed and replaced by individual votes in functional constituency election; secondly, expanding the electorate base of functional constituencies. I stated in the second reading debate that I had received a lot of opinions from our industrial sector. They all agreed to replace corporate votes by individual votes. Though the government has not made corresponding amendment, I still expect she will listen to voices from the industries and amend it accordingly in future. For expanding of the electorate base, I welcome the inclusion of ITJC but felt disappointed that the government did not accept more professional bodies joining the sector. I hope the government will continue to improve the expansion on the electorate base, respond to industrial needs and further expand the base of the IT sector.  

II. Articles Sharing (Chinese Only)

1. 將港變成創意天堂
   《星島日報》
   2011年3月3日

2. 財爺懂得創新嗎?
   《星島日報》
   2011年2月24日

3. 網絡變天
   《星島日報》
   2011年2月17日

4. 吸引遊客的竅門
   《星島日報》
   2011年2月10日