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Following is a statement issued today (July 25) by the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, on matters concerning the declaration of interests by Politically Appointed Officials (PAOs) and Executive Council (ExCo) Members this year:
"I sincerely apologise to the public as I have not been able to wind up as early as possible a non-operating consulting company under my ownership because of oversight, and this resulted in my failure to declare my interest in this company last year.
During my engagement in public service over the years, I have made public my previous capacity as the Chairman of Human Capital Management Consulting Limited (HCMC). Before assuming the office of the Secretary for Education in July 2012, I had decided to wind up this already non-operating company as soon as possible. A weekly magazine carried a related report in July 2012.
I had forgotten that I had not completed the winding-up procedures for that company until recently, when PAOs and ExCo Members were required to make declarations of interests this year. I have expedited the winding-up procedures immediately and have added the company's information to my annual declaration this year pending completion of the procedures.
HCMC had ceased operation three months before I assumed office. Without any business activity, office or employees, the company has no conflict of interest with my holding of public office.
I have commissioned professionals to expedite the procedures for winding up and deregistering the company. In the meantime, the company will continue to be a non-operating company.
Attached for reference is a memo issued by the professionals on the status of the said company."
Ends/Thursday, July 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:17
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