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Following is a transcript of the meet-the-media session by the Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works, Dr Sarah Liao, after attending the Chief Executive's meeting on KCRC today (March 15):
SETW: Today I have submitted the report to the Chief Executive from the KCRC Managing Board with regard to the dispute between the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer. I am very glad that both of them have agreed to remain in the current posts.
We maintain that it is most important for the KCRC to maintain the high degree of transparency, a strong sense of accountability as well as good corporate governance which is led by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. We have now come up with a set of guidelines which is within the corporate operation that the duties of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman should be more clearly defined. For example, the Chairman should be responsible for the business of the board while the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the daily operation of the company as well as public relations issues and being the spokesman for the normal business of the company.
We know both the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer are people who understand the importance of KCRC service to the people of Hong Kong. I am sure they will work together ably. They will be able to compromise and communicate effectively with each other. I am very confident that this will be the hope of all of us and it will succeed. As far as the employees of the KCRC are concerned, I am sure that all of them are very much concerned with what has been happening in the past week.
Now, since the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer have resolved the issue, I call upon all of the employees to work hard to provide the best service for the people of Hong Kong so that we would enjoy the efficient and good service of the KCRC. During that period, when the board was deliberating on this issue, we noticed that there were personnel and disciplinary problems regarding some sectors. We will take it up immediately with the Managing Board. Thank you.
Following is a transcript of the meet-the-media session by Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation's Chairman, Mr Michael Tien and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Samuel Lai (March 15) (for reference only):
KCRC Chairman: Whatever happened to me, it will in no way affect our professional relationship. I firmly believe that. Now that the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer have been more clearly delineated, I think it will be very helpful in our future professional collaboration. The Board firmly reiterated its support for a culture where we will have a high level of transparency and accountability. It's just that the way we will get that done will be in the future through the Chief Executive Officer. Basically, he will be accountable for that. I will be responsible for running the matters of the Board. And of course, we will, if necessary, enquire with the Chief Executive Officer, if we feel that the transparency and accountability culture that we are trying to strive for is in question.
Reporter: ... will any people be fired?
KCRC Chairman: Firing people? Why would I do that?
Reporter: ... they have expressed their dislike of your style...?
KCRC Chairman: This is an open society. People can express their opinion. We are talking professional conduct here. People expressing negative opinion about me does not constitute a breach of any professional conduct.
KCRC CEO: Let me repeat what I have said in English. The question is whether I can continue to co-operate with Chairman Tien. I have said in public that Chairman Tien is one of the persons that I have most respected. I respect his devotion to serving Hong Kong and his commitment. And also his idea of introducing a more transparent and more accountable culture into the corporation. In that, I think all employees within the corporation are all for accountability and transparency. I think it is a matter of bringing the employees in so that they have completed buy in so that when we carry that out, it will be a thorough implementation. Going forward, I think that we will stand behind Chairman Tien and bring the KCRC to a brighter future.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:48
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