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The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Lawrence Li Shu-fai, hundreds of the department's staff, representatives from other disciplined services and government bureaux, and the Secretary General of the Standing Committee on Disciplined Services Salaries and Conditions of Service paid their last respects to the late Wong Ying-choy at the Universal Funeral Parlour, Hung Hom this (Friday) morning.

Among those who attended the funeral included representatives of the Police, Fire Services Department, Correctional Services Department, Immigration Department, Trade and Industry Bureau, Security Bureau and Civil Service Bureau.

Mr Wong Ying-choy died on duty at Lok Ma Chau in the morning on April 12 while engaged in customs clearance for cross border vehicles.

Officers from Guangdong Branch of Customs General Administration of China sent their wreaths to mourn the death of the officer.

Following a religious ceremony at the funeral parlour, a funeral ceremony of Customs and Excise Service Honours commenced.

Speaking after the ceremony, the Commissioner, Mr Lawrence Li said the death of the officer was a great loss to the department, adding that he was hard-working and experienced.

"I have read the report of the Board of Internal Inquiry and I am satisfied that what happened was an accident. There was no human error or system error," Mr Li said.

The Department will strengthen management at the control points to prevent similar incident, he added.

End/Friday, April 24, 1998

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