Two months after being appointed by Beijing, Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang (
The former civil service head, whose formidable popularity ratings made him an obvious successor to the disliked and lackluster former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa (
From a spat over controversial bugging laws to putting in doubt the future independence of a local broadcaster, Tsang stands accused of meddling in the cherished rights of Hong Kongers.
His political probity has also been called into question over his approval of the use of public money to fund expensive beautification work to his official residences.
Before his first legislative season has even begun, Tsang has been cast as a determined leader keen to cement power around the executive, away from his legislators and even from his Cabinet.
"It doesn't bode well for the future of his administration," said an outspoken critic, opposition Legislator Emily Lau (劉慧卿). "His problem is that he just won't listen."
Tsang assumed the leadership after Tung, the territory's first post-colonial leader, stepped down with two years left in his second term.
Under the political system in Hong Kong, Tsang was not elected by universal suffrage but by a panel of 800 elites backed by Beijing.
In the run-up to his inauguration, Tsang promised to head a united and all-encompassing administration following eight turbulent years in which Tung was accused of paying only lip-service to lawmakers and the public.
A Hong Kong University poll in June found that the proportion of people giving the new chief executive their vote of confidence was 75 percent.
But political analyst Anthony Cheung (張炳良) argues that Tsang's record so far suggests that he is anything but an inclusive leader.
"In order to impress Beijing he has acted in a strong and decisive way and made all kinds of decisions on his own," said Cheung, a professor in the department of public and social administration at Hong Kong's City University.
"He has done that without consulting the legislature, without consulting even his own Cabinet," he said.
Tsang's go-it-alone style was most controversially demonstrated when he invoked rarely used executive powers that give senior officers in law enforcement agencies -- rather than the courts -- the power to authorize wiretaps.
The move came after two District Court judges hearing separate graft cases ruled that wiretap evidence by the Independent Commission Against Corruption was inadmissable and unconstitutional.
Critics such as the Bar Association said the chief executive had overstepped his powers in a matter that eroded basic human rights. Outspoken Legislator Leung Kwok-hung (梁國雄) and another activist launched a court challenge against Tsang's action.
Tsang had earlier been embroiled in a row over the scrapping of horse-racing broadcasts on local RTHK public radio. Journalist groups expressed concern over freedom of expression because the move came after Tsang voiced disapproval of the broadcasts.
Lau, who heads a legislative committee on public finance, has also spoken out on proposed renovations to Government House, the former British governor's residence, and a country weekend retreat that is used by the chief executive.
She said the US$40,000 allocated for a fish pond at Government House was "a lot." The pond is part of a US$1.85 million refurbishment of Government House and a US$167,000 facelift for the weekend residence. None of the expenditures had been presented to legislators for approval, Lau said.
Cheung argues there is a common thread between the fish-pond issue and the other allegations.
"There is a lack of judgement in all of these," Cheung said. "It suggests a political naivety."
Christine Loh (
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