HK people's unhappiness: A time bomb
Updated: 2013-06-05 07:41
By Fung Keung(HK Edition)
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In the past several days all we have heard has been nothing but bad news, disheartened news and unhappy news. People's negative sentiment is like a time bomb. I am afraid it might explode soon as July 1, the day we commemorate Hong Kong's return to China, is around the corner. July 1 is a very emotional day for all walks of people in the city.
We should do something to make Hong Kong citizens happy and diffuse the time bomb. Hong Kong, a beautiful city we all love, is our home.
Hong Kong people are unhappy with their overall governance and social environment. The Public Sentiment Index, compiled by the University of Hong Kong's public opinion program, dropped to 72.9 last month, the lowest since May 2003.
The happiness score ranges between 0 and 200, with 100 meaning normal. Any score below 100 indicates unhappiness.
If you read the newspapers or watch TV news in recent days you probably couldn't help but shake your head. About 170,000 Hong Kong people live in subdivided flats averaging 68 square feet per person, half the average 138 square feet per person in public housing. For comparison purposes, Singapore's average space per person is 300 square feet and Shanghai's is 180 square feet.
Half of the people living in subdivided flats, most of them in old districts, have applied for public housing. It might take a few years before they hear any good news, provided that they are qualified.
We always pride ourselves on living in the world's most economically competitive city. But proud no more. A few days ago the International Institute for Management Development revealed that Hong Kong's ranking has dropped to third in 2013, overtaken by the United States and Switzerland. Analysts cited poor air quality and rising property prices for Hong Kong's fall in the world ranking.
Can't we do something about air quality and a shortage of land supply? We need resolve.
There are several other pieces of news that would make many Hong Kong people unhappy: A survey done by the Chinese University of Hong Kong revealed that 55 percent of Hong Kong's young people felt the city doesn't offer them enough opportunities to develop. The young people's overall well-being index was 3.2 (from one to five), lower than the average of 4.2 among youths in Western countries. Figures from the first quarter show that 139 people were infected with HIV, a record high. The infected cases rose 14 percent from the same period in 2012. Of 238 children under 18 whose deaths were referred to the Coroner's Court in the fiscal year 2008-09, 18 died violently at the hands of others, an increase from 11 in 2006-07. Of the 18 cases, 13 young people were killed by their parents.
Of course, bad things happen to people every day and we shouldn't be over-alarmed. However, the drop to its 10-year low of Hong Kong people's happiness index should be a matter of concern.
Hong Kong is our home. Let us join hands in making this place more beautiful and the people happier. I know Rome wasn't built in a day but someone has to make the first move. These are my wishes: All political parties in Hong Kong will unite for a better Hong Kong. They at least call a respite for 3 months. That the government will increase the tax on the rich and use the extra income to subsidize the poor. That the government will reclaim more land to build affordable housing for those who live in subdivided flats. That more programs should be directed at young people to make them feel that life in Hong Kong is full of hope. More development opportunities should be created. And finally, let us all support Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying and his team, who is a good and competent leader.
My wishes are not far-fetched. If we all put our heads together, I am sure many of my wishes will come true. So will yours.
The author is coordinator of the B.S.Sc in financial journalism program at Hong Kong Baptist University.
(HK Edition 06/05/2013 page1)