CS Says Officials Should Be More Sensitive

The Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung says he has reminded officials to put themselves in other people's shoes when they formulate major policies that affect living standards. Cheung said a reality check was needed in light of the recent controversy over elderly welfare payments and criticism of the procedure to collect a cash handout of up to HK$4,000.

"Certainly, this is what they should do. But in certain circumstances where cross bureau, cross departmental, cooperation is involved, I think there is room for improvement enhancement," he told reporters after appearing on a radio programme. "Particularly, I will make use of the policy meeting, which all principal officials will be members of already, so that we can sort out, iron out, problems straight away."

The Chief Secretary said raising the age for elderly Comprehensive Social Security Assistance eligibility to 65 from 60 was not intended to force old people back into the workforce, or to make their lives difficult. But he said measures were in place to help those who wanted to work.

On a separate matter, Cheung said tightening anti-graft laws to cover the Chief Executive involves complicated legal and constitutional matters. It has been reported that the central government has vetoed Chief Executive Carrie Lam's idea to have the law cover the CE, because it can't accept locally-enacted laws regulating the actions of Hong Kong's top official, who is appointed by the central government. The report also said Beijing was concerned that the CE might also face politically-motivated accusations of corruption.

In December, Hong Kong authorities said they would not take any further action over corruption allegations surrounding former Chief Executive CY Leung's undeclared acceptance of HK$50 million from Australian engineering company UGL.

In a statement, the ICAC said the Department of Justice had decided there was "insufficient evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction" against Leung for any criminal offence.

The money was part of a "non-compete, non-poach" agreement and Leung received part of the sum after he took up office as Chief Exeuctive.