THE establishment of a panel to prepare for the Special Administrative Region (SAR) Preparatory Committee will be divisive, a legislator warned yesterday.
Lee Wing-tat, a core member of the United Democrats of Hongkong, told a City Forum that the establishment of the working body would unleash antagonistic forces and divide the community.
''What should we do if this body comes up with suggestions or decisions that are in opposition to the Legislative Council?'' he asked.
''Although the need to start preparatory work on the future government is recognised, one must admit that the working body is a political establishment.'' To help the body make decisions more in line with public expectations, Mr Lee said there should be elected representatives on it.
But Tsang Yok-sing, chairman of the pro-China Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hongkong, disagreed.
''The body is not a power centre, it is a statutory working body under Chinese law. We should not insist there should be elected representatives sitting on the panel,'' he said.