MPF reform: Cheung does not rule out optimising the system, as HK$2 transport scheme leads elderly care

In October 2011, Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung discussed the Policy Address on a radio programme: the HK$2 transport fare concession for over-65s and people with disabilities was an “out-of-the-box” proposal serving the public interest and demonstrating the government’s political courage. On calls for universal retirement protection, he said the Central Policy Unit was studying the issue and the government did not rule out optimising the MPF system to better protect citizens.

Why was the HK$2 fare called “out-of-the-box”?

The Policy Address proposal of a HK$2 transport concession for over-65s and people with disabilities was, in Cheung’s words, an out-of-the-box, public-interest-first idea: it would encourage elderly and disabled people to engage with the community, reduce hidden elderly, and strengthen social harmony; it would also stimulate economic activity and ease disabled people’s transport costs, giving them more incentive to seek work. Transport concessions first, retirement-protection research to follow — that was the rhythm of 2011 elderly policy.

MPF reform: optimising the system not ruled out

Asked about universal retirement protection, Cheung did not close the door: the Central Policy Unit was conducting related research, and the government did not rule out optimising the MPF system to strengthen citizen protection. Read alongside his LegCo remarks (see the companion piece in this batch), the 2011 government position was: universal protection needs study, MPF can be optimised, but immediate radical change is unrealistic.

A footnote on council culture

Asked about the heated exchange between legislators and Chief Executive Donald Tsang at a LegCo Q&A, Cheung said the priority was maintaining a dignified council culture so meetings could proceed smoothly. Beyond the fierce retirement-protection debate, the remark captured the political mood of October 2011.