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Government's response to enquiries about the issue of press release on February 8
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     In response to media enquiries about the Government's press release issued on February 8, 2012 concerning Mr CY Leung's declaration in the West Kowloon Reclamation Concept Plan Competition (the Competition), a Government spokesman gave the following reply today (February 14):

1. The Government answered media enquiries under the guiding principles of safeguarding public interest and confidentiality requirements.  All information released was factual;

2. The Government received repeated enquiries from various media organisations about the Competition since January 27, 2012.  The West Kowloon Development portfolio had been previously handled by the then Planning and Lands Bureau. The Home Affairs Bureau, which is now responsible for the project, needs more time to review the old files. After ascertaining the facts and seeking legal advice, the Government issued a press release immediately on February 8 to answer the media enquiries.  We have adopted the same principles in handling media enquiries relating to any candidate in the Chief Executive election.  Hence, there is no selective dissemination of information;

3. In response to Mr CY Leung's recent request made through the mass media to disclose to the public all the files in connection with the Competition and related media enquiries, the Government has today (February 14) written to Mr Leung and Dr Kenneth Yeang of T. R. Hamzah & Yeang to obtain their consent to release the information involving them in the Competition. The Government will decide the way forward after considering their responses;  

4. The Government's position has been acting strictly by the law to ensure that elections are conducted in a just, fair and honest manner;

5. We will not comment on media reports based on anonymous sources.

Ends/Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:50

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