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Following is a question by the Hon Lee Wing-tat and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (December 5):
Question:
Regarding the operation of Mutual Aid Committees (MACs), will the Government inform this Council whether:
(a) regular checks have been carried out to see if the operation of MACs complies with the Model Rules for MACs; if so, of the results, and whether the operation of any MAC is found to have deviated from the guidelines in the Model Rules;
(b) any MAC is found not to have held any meeting for a prolonged period of time and the Liaison Officers and District Officers concerned of the Home Affairs Department have not rectified the situation, despite their knowledge of it; if so, how the authorities will rectify such situation; and
(c) it has considered reviewing the operation of MACs in order to strengthen community participation and enable the Home Affairs Department to promptly be aware of the operational problems and difficulties encountered by MACs and take follow-up actions?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Mutual Aid Committees (MACs) are voluntary bodies formed by the residents of a building. They organise community, cultural and recreational activities on a voluntary basis with a view to enhancing the spirit of mutual assistance in the neighbourhood and fostering a sense of belonging to the community among residents. Liaison Officers and Community Organisers of District Offices (DOs) visit MACs and attend their meetings, and render advice on MAC affairs where necessary to help them carry out their work in accordance with the Model Rules for MACs (Model Rules) set by the Home Affairs Department. In general, MACs operate in accordance with the provisions in the Model Rules.
If DOs come across cases in which an MAC is unable to fully comply with the Model Rules in its operation, the DO concerned will take the initiative to liaise with the MAC to understand the problem it faces and offer advice and assistance. According to the experience of DOs, MACs would usually improve their operation after taking into account DOs' advice on how they may better serve the residents of their buildings.
(b) Regular MAC meetings help strengthen communication among residents and promote the work of MACs. DOs keep close contacts with the MACs in their respective districts. If it comes to their notice that an MAC has not convened meetings for a prolonged period of time, they will take the initiative to liaise with the chairman and members of the MAC concerned to find out the reasons behind, and proactively offer assistance to the MAC in convening meetings as soon as possible to discuss matters relating to the work of the MAC.
(c) DOs will continue to visit MACs in their respective districts and attend their meetings to maintain a close contact so as to facilitate the smooth operation of MACs and enhance community participation. As mentioned in part (a) of the reply, if an MAC encounters problems or difficulties in its operation, the DO concerned will offer proper assistance having regard to the circumstances of individual cases.
Ends/Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Issued at HKT 12:01
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