Public Service Commission (Investigation) Regulation to Be Gazetted on Friday

Public Service Commission (Investigation) Regulation to be gazetted on Friday

The Government will publish the Public Service Commission (Investigation) Regulation in the Gazette this Friday (May 22). The Regulation aims to confer additional functions on the Public Service Commission (PSC) such that it can conduct Tier II investigations under the Administrative Responsibility Two-tier Investigation Mechanism.

The Chief Executive's 2025 Policy Address announced the establishment of the Heads of Department Accountability System (HoD Accountability System), which aims to strengthen departmental execution capacity and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the departments' work by clearly spelling out and institutionalising that Heads of Departments (HoDs) have to be accountable for their departments'work, as well as the introduction of a new two-tier investigation mechanism, which will enhance the credibility of the investigation process and result.

If a problem occurs in the Government and the problem is serious, or is a widespread or repetitive, systemic one, or there are indications that the relevant HoD or permanent secretary of the policy bureau concerned is implicated in the problem, a Tier II investigation may be activated. The investigation will be activated based on the problem identified, and the investigation will cover all personnel involved in the relevant problem, irrespective of their ranks.

The main provisions of the Regulation set out the conditions for the Government's referral of problems to the PSC for investigation; provide that the PSC must conduct an investigation on referral; provide for the formation of the Investigation Team, its investigative functions and proceedings; and set out that the Investigation Team must prepare and submit a report to the Government upon completion of the investigation.

A spokesperson for the Civil Service Bureau said today (May 20), "Under the leadership of the Chief Executive, we have established a result-oriented Government. At the same time, we have been fostering a culture within the civil service characterised by proactiveness, responsibility, loyalty and dedication. The Administrative Responsibility Two-tier Investigation Mechanism aims to investigate into the cause(s) of the problem and identify the party(ies) to be responsible for the problem should a problem arise in any area of government work."

"The PSC is an independent statutory advisory body comprising members with diverse professional backgrounds; entrusting it with the conduct of the Tier II investigations would enhance the credibility of the investigations," the spokesman added.

The Regulation will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on May 27. Subject to the completion of the legislative procedures, the Regulation will come into effect on July 17, 2026.

The Central Government Offices, Photo source: reference image

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 29 days of imprisonment by the Fanling Magistrates' Courts today (May 23) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted the incoming 58-year-old male passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (May 22) and seized 1 981 sticks of duty-not-paid cigarettes from him. The estimated market value of the seized cigarettes was about $8,100, and the duty potential was about $6,500. He was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence, noting that even a first-time offender may still be imprisoned. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases