Morale in civil service 'still high' despite disgrace of Rafael Hui
Head of Public Service Commission says jailing of former chief secretary will serve as a warning
A former commerce minister who gave evidence during the trial of the disgraced former chief secretary, Rafael Hui Si-yan, said that the conviction of senior officials over misconduct charges would not affect the morale of civil servants.
Speaking for the first time as the chairwoman of the Public Service Commission, Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan - who stepped down as secretary for commerce and economic development on health grounds in 2011 - said officials would be kept vigilant by the conviction of Hui for accepting HK$8.5 million in bribes before he was appointed chief secretary in 2005.
Now serving a 7-1/2-year jail term, Hui was also convicted of misconduct in public office for failing to disclose connections with Sun Hung Kai Properties during his service as government No 2 and an Executive Council member between 2005 and 2009.
"I hope it sends a positive message that Hong Kong still has a rigorous system to keep public officers discharging their duties without favour," said Lau, who took over the chairmanship of the civil service watchdog from Nicholas Ng Wing-fui last year.
In the commission's report to the chief executive, it said it had advised imposing penalties in 48 misconduct cases last year - a slight increase from 44 and 38 cases in the previous two years.
Of those 48 misconduct cases last year, the commission advised dismissal in one, compulsory retirement in 12, and lesser penalties such as reprimands or fines in the other 35 cases.
Lau said she did not believe civil servants would be affected amid the heightened social tensions over political reform.
"As long as the civil servants discharge their duties faithfully, I believe there is nothing to be worried about no matter how stormy it is outside," she said.
Lau also spoke briefly about another recent controversy: the government's 2013 decision to deny HKTV an application for a free-to-air broadcasting licence.
Its disappointed head, Ricky Wong Wai-kay, had said a woman official had invited him to apply for the licence back in 2009.
Wong also said the unnamed official told him the station would be qualified as long as it could fulfil the basic requirements for the licence.
Lau was commerce minister in 2009, and her remit included broadcasting.
"I haven't met Wong and I will not comment on it as I have left the position," she said.
