HONG KONG
The leader of Hong Kong’s Public Service has doubled down on earlier comments that Government workers must abide by the Civil Service Code of political neutrality.
Joshua Law Chi-kong (pictured) has warned that Government employees could face immediate suspension or other disciplinary action if they are arrested for taking part in unlawful public activities.
In a letter to 180,000 Public Servants, Mr Law said the Government would not tolerate Public Servants breaching the law.
“It would be difficult for the community to accept an arrested Civil Servant being allowed to continue to exercise the powers and functions of office,” Mr Law said.
“In this regard, we will interdict the officer in the public interest when an inquiry against him is being undertaken.
He said Public Servants convicted of criminal offences would not only be penalised under the law – the Government would also take disciplinary action against them “in accordance with established mechanisms”.
“Civil Servants must not take part in any unlawful activities and actions, including illegal procession or assemblies,” Mr Law said.
This comes after the Chinese Communist Party’s mouthpiece, People’s Daily, ran a strongly worded commentary, warning that Hong Kong Public Servants supporting the protests would “burn with the rioters”.
It described the behaviour of some Hong Kong Government Agencies as “surprisingly disappointing” and quoted the recent arrest of an assistant clerical officer from the Chief Secretary’s Office as an example.
Professor at City University’s Department of Public Policy, Ray Yep Kin-man said the Government needed to clarify what was meant by ‘inquiry’ which could lead to the suspension of a Public Servant.
“Is it a trial in court or disciplinary hearing conducted by the Civil Service Bureau?” he asked.
“I think the Government’s latest move will be subject to legal challenges.”
Hong Kong, 17 November 2019
