Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's administration has been literally fighting an uphill battle over the past 12 months, coping with unexpected political landmines all the way.

This adverse political ecosystem is partly a result of the bitterly contended Chief Executive election held in March last year, which caused cracks within the pro-establishment camp, and partly attributed to political wrangling surrounding the constitutional reform as the schedule for universal suffrage draws nearer.

Vested interests, who have perceived or anticipated a threat from Leung's governance principle of seeking change, have also helped complicate the city's political situation by working against him openly or behind the scenes.

Such infighting has cost the Leung administration lots of time and effort, delaying the implementation of many of its policies.

Considering this adverse political backdrop, what the new administration has achieved over the past 12 months is laudable, particularly in successfully coping with many of the short-term challenges such as the influx of pregnant mainland mothers, the short supply of baby formula, and disturbing parallel-trading activities.

While its fight against the city's deep-rooted problems such as poverty, housing shortages and the aging population has yet to yield something significant, the new administration has been tackling these problems in the right direction - increasing land supply for housing with all possible means and developing the local economy proactively.

Unfortunately, Leung's determination and move to prioritize economic development over political reform has been decried by antagonistic politicians who care more about their own political agenda than public interest. Like predators in the forest, they keep a sharp eye on the leading team of the administration, and attack without mercy at any target they find vulnerable.

And apparently in a bid to undermine the public's trust and confidence in the administration, some politicians have repeatedly asserted - as if they are prophets or kingmakers - that Leung is "very likely" to drop out before his first term ends. What they hate doing is imagining any one of them will do as well as Leung does in such an adverse political situation.

The author is a current affairs commentator.

(HK Edition 06/26/2013 page9)