Policy under review after musicians barred, and localists will not hijack issue, he says
OLIVER CHOUoliver.chou@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Friday, 09 October, 2015, 11:06pm
UPDATED : Friday, 09 October, 2015, 11:20pm
Frederick Ma urged the public to stay calm. Photo: Martin Chan
The MTR Corp's incoming chairman has defended the company's policy on oversized luggage at stations after a number of musicians carrying large instruments were recently banned.
Frederick Ma Si-hang reiterated there had been no change in regulations on oversized luggage and said localists would not be allowed to "hijack" the issue.
"As far as I know there is no policy change," Ma said in an interview with the South China Morning Post.
The former commerce secretary, who was appointed last July to head the MTR Corp effective from January 1, 2016, said he was aware of the recent cases.
"I did ask myself about the ban, too, and I think the issue might lie with some of our 4,000 frontline staff officers who monitor a daily flow of 5.4 million passengers," he said.
Their work had become more challenging due to social and technological changes, Ma said. He cited the emergence of so-called parallel traders, who buy goods in Hong Kong for resale across the border.
"I suspect some of our frontline people have been challenged by parallel traders over those carrying large music instruments, which are not exempt from our by-laws. So our staff had no choice."
READ MORE: Musicians play discordant notes in protest over ban on large instruments
He said it was "unfortunate" that student musicians had been affected recently but he called for understanding and patience from the community as his staff were making a "genuine effort" in soliciting views from the public.
"Now that this issue has gone public, we will definitely do something, and we are listening to suggestions, but at the same time asking the public to remember our difficulty in balancing all the issues, including safety and comfort for all passengers."
One good suggestion, he said, was to designate the first and last carriages for large objects, such as musical instruments.
The MTR has been taking in public views since last week and the consultation period ends next Tuesday. The views will be taken into consideration during the review, which Ma hopes to complete "as soon as possible".
He urged calm because "any action that hijacks the original cause would alter the nature of the issue", referring to a protest in Tai Wai last week in which some localists picked on alleged parallel traders.
"I don't think the hijack action will affect the ongoing review," Ma said. "We are serious about doing a good job on this - just give us a little time."
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1865940/new-mtr-chief-frederick-ma-defends-staff-row-over
