Ron Lam reflects on four years of legislative work: ‘Without guilt in the eyes of the people’

As the deadline looms, incumbent lawmaker Ron Lam reflects on his four years in the Legislative Assembly (AL), expressing gratitude for the opportunity to voice public concerns and emphasizing that his efforts in reviewing the bill have been both sincere and thorough.

If the AL does not extend the meeting date for the subcommittee of the First Standing Committee reviewing the Road Traffic Law Bill, the current session will conclude today.

During an interview with Lam about the road traffic amendment bill, the Times asked him what message he would like to convey to the public regarding his inability to participate in the next session of the AL.

“In fact, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the AL over the past four years. I have truly done my best, worked hard, and achieved meaningful accomplishments. As a legislator involved in bill reviews, I have dedicated myself fully. Aside from my illness, I attended all non-overlapping meetings. I believe I have sincerely expressed my opinions and conveyed the thoughts and concerns of residents,” Lam said, expressing his hope that the government will carefully consider the views of all sectors of society.

“Throughout these four years, I have consistently emphasized that I not only fulfilled my duties diligently but also acted in accordance with the law and regulations; everything was done by the rules,” Lam remarked regarding his inability to run in the September 14 AL elections.

He urged the government to find ways to allow diverse opinions within society and to enhance the AL’s oversight of the government.

“I firmly believe that good governance requires true representatives who can voice the realities of society, which is essential and serves as the foundation of effective governance.”

Continuing this work, particularly regarding the AL’s supervisory role, is a matter that requires reflection from society, various sectors, and the government.

Lam emphasized that without hearing a broader range of genuine opinions, governance will suffer significantly.

Regarding his disqualification from running in the upcoming session of the AL, Lam posed the question, “Who will handle these issues?” He added, “I believe I have done my best, but in reality, my efforts have not fully met the expectations of residents,” emphasizing his commitment to serving the public interest over the years.

“If I am unable to continue serving now, I will truly bow out,” he stated. However, he expressed concern about the future of oversight, asking, “How will the oversight function operate going forward? How will the voices of society be truly heard?” Lam concluded with a hopeful note, urging, “I hope that more capable and intelligent individuals will step forward to take on these responsibilities.”

In the past, Lam’s objections have brought numerous issues to light. While he has generally supported most bills, his criticisms have targeted problematic groups. For instance, the failure to advance the “sandwich housing” law raises concerns about the future of housing policy. He also expressed dissatisfaction with restrictions on satellite casinos, opting to abstain from voting due to the government’s lack of consideration for practical circumstances.

Over the last four years, Lam has maintained that “we have nothing to be ashamed of in the eyes of the people,” yet he was worried about the sustainability of the supervisory function of the AL. He noted that although some progress has been made in achieving transparency and data disclosure, there remain issues with data being treated as commercial secrets.

Moreover, topics like crematoriums and ride-hailing services are crucial, particularly the significant disparity in cremation costs. The limited discussion surrounding ride-hailing services highlights the challenges faced during his tenure.