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The following is a statement issued by the Chief Executive's Office today (May 25):
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, stated repeatedly at the question-and-answer session of the Legislative Council last Thursday that the Government fully respected judicial independence and people's rights to seek judicial review. The Government has been handling the challenges of judicial reviews in full accordance with the law.
The Chief Executive stressed that he would not comment on individual cases. His key message on that occasion was that he hoped citizens, especially responsible politicians, would reflect on the concern, shared by some members of the public, on the adverse impact of the delay in infrastructure projects for political reasons on Hong Kong's economic development and long-term competitiveness.
The Chief Executive's remarks last Thursday carry no criticism whatsoever of the court. On the contrary, the Chief Executive is fully confident in the impartiality, independence and professionalism of the court in exercising its judicial power. The Chief Executive deeply regrets that certain Members of the Legislative Council have deliberately distorted what he had said as an exertion of pressure on the court.
Ends/Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:49
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