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Apple Daily today (March 8) reported that the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, "was found to have prevented the University of Hong Kong (HKU) from appointing the former Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun, as the Vice-President (VP)". A spokesperson for the Chief Executive's Office (CEO) pointed out that HKU has already clarified openly and repeatedly on issues relating to the appointment of its VP; and the Chairman of the HKU Council, Dr Leong Che-hung, also said publicly yesterday that such claim of intervention was merely a rumour.
Meanwhile, Apple Daily, quoting various sources, reported today the appointments of the members and Chairman of the Council of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The CEO spokesperson stated that such report is completely untrue and totally fabricated.
The CEO expressed deep regret over the total ignorance of truth by Apple Daily in reporting the aforementioned appointments of HKU and CUHK.
The spokesperson stressed that anyone should not mislead the society and manipulate public opinion to exert pressure and sabotage the appointment systems so as to achieve one's political or other aims. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government shall continue to uphold the principle of meritocracy and make appointments in accordance with the ordinances of respective institutions.
Ends/Sunday, March 8, 2015
Issued at HKT 19:58
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