CMAB responds to media enquiries
In response to media enquiries regarding the Director of the Tianjin Liaison Unit of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has further responded today (January 21) as follows:
Regarding the concerns arising from the social media posts issued by Mr Ricky Cheng Chun-sang, the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau has undertaken further investigation. It has been considered that the incident in which Mr Cheng's seat being upgraded on a vessel during his earlier trip to Macao is suspected of breaching the provisions under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance regarding civil servants accepting advantages without permission. The matter has already been referred to law enforcement agencies for follow up.
Mr Cheng is a contract staff of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The bureau has decided to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
Source: AI-found images
Government responds to Coroner's verdict on death inquest for vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012
The Coroner's Court today (January 21) returned the verdict on the cause of death of the passengers involved in the vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012.
A Government spokesman said the Government is closely monitoring the delivery of the verdict. After the incident, the Police commenced criminal investigation and arrested the coxswain of "Sea Smooth", Lai Sai-ming, and the coxswain of "Lamma IV", Chow Chi-wai, in October 2012. In February 2015, Chow was convicted of Endangering the Safety of Others at Sea and Lai was convicted of 39 counts of Manslaughter and a count of Endangering the Safety of Others at Sea. Separately, former senior ship inspector of the Marine Department (MD)Wong Kam-chingand the then Assistant Director of Marine, So Ping-chi,were under arrest in March 2015, and were subsequently convicted of the offence of Perjury and offence of Misconduct in Public Office in February and June 2016 respectively. So was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment (his appeal succeeded and his sentence was reduced to 4.5 months) and Wong was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment. When considering whether to conduct a death inquest in 2020, the Coroner's Court ruled the deaths as unlawful killing.
The spokesman added that the Government attaches great importance to the incident, after which investigations at various levels have been conducted. The MD has implemented all practicable recommendations in the investigation reports to enhance maritime safety to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.
The delivery of the verdict is to be continued. The Government will continue to study the judgement.
The vessel collision incident near Lamma Island in 2012, Photo source: reference image
