Seize the moment to foster unity, Anson Chan urges government.

(From South China Morning Post)

Byline: Klaudia Lee

After three months out of the public spotlight, former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang told a packed hall at the University of Hong Kong last night that the government should seize the opportunity created by Sars to unite the community and prepare for future challenges.

Although careful not to appear as if she was judging the government's anti-Sars efforts, Mrs Chan also expressed doubts over the decision to appoint the top health official to head the Sars review committee.

She said the public expected the government to take the lead in using the "harrowing experience" of Sars to bring people together and "restore harmony in society".

Describing the outbreak as a "rude awakening call" that showed Hong Kong's lack of preparedness for the onslaught of an infectious disease, Mrs Chan said a lot of hard work was needed in public health. But, she said: "We can only achieve lasting results if there is a concerted push and a genuine partnership between the government and all sectors of the community."

Mrs Chan urged everyone to put aside their differences and focus on new challenges. "Now is not the time for finger-pointing, witch-hunting, partisan politics, misplaced loyalties, professional jealousies or empty rhetoric and slogans," she said.