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Following is the transcript of a media session given by the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong, today (April 11):

Reporter: Mr Wong, a lot of people have questioned and wondered whether Mrs Yam's departure has something to do with the accountability system. What's your view and reaction to her resignation?

Secretary: Mrs Yam explained very clearly yesterday that it was entirely her personal decision. She made the decision some time ago. We were aware of her decision. We respected her decision. Of course we all feel very sorry to see her go. She is an outstanding and capable officer, an officer of integrity. We wish her all the best in her retirement.

Reporter: Do you think there is something to do with the accountability system?

Secretary: As I've said, the decision was made by her as a personal decision long time ago. This has been confirmed by her in public and therefore I don't think it is right to associate her departure which is a normal retirement, afterall she has reached her normal retirement age, with anything else.

Reporter: Some people said that with the retirement of a civil servant, the government did not issue a statement ... is unusual. Is there a reason for this?

Secretary: No. It is Mrs Yam's decision to retire from the service after the completion of her contract. Indeed, she is kind enough to agree to extend her contract by a short period in order to facilitate the smooth transition as we are going to implement a new accountability system in July this year. It is also a normal practice that we issue a formal statement near the time of the departure of a civil servant in order to wish him or her well. The statement will always carry a quotation from the Chief Executive or the Chief Secretary. We did it recently if you recall when Mr Dominic Wong and Mr Nicholas Ng left us. So it is a normal practice that we issue this statement only near the time of the departure of an officer.

Reporter: Mr Wong, what would you say to the disciplined services unionists who are now quite furious and have demanded to meet the Chief Executive and not to see you ...?

Secretary: In the reply from the Chief Executive's Office, the Chief Executive explained very clearly that he understands the views of civil servants. He affirms that the Administration's policy is to follow the established mechanism in deciding this year's pay adjustment. He states very clearly that under the present system, we have well established mechanism for consultation and discussions with staff unions. I have said on many occasions that I am very happy to see any staff unions on the issue of pay adjustment. Indeed I have been meeting a lot of civil service unions on this matter. I am very happy to meet with the disciplined services unions, to exchange views on this matter. It is very important, I believe, for civil service unions and civil servants as a whole to look at the matter in a very reasonable manner and a calm manner, not to do anything which indeed may lead the public to question whether we are doing things which civil servants should do. Never forget that our job is to serve the public. It's very important that civil servants must always not just bear our own interests in mind, but also to bear the interests of the public. I also notice from a recent poll that indeed this is precisely a position held by many civil servants when asked the question about the pay adjustment. Many of our colleagues have expressed views that they are quite happy, provided that the mechanism is followed and provided that the adjustment is reasonable, to share the burden with the general public. I therefore urge all civil service unions to really behave in a manner which the public expect us to behave. My door is always open to any civil service unions.

Thank you.

(Please also refer to the Chinese transcript)

End/Thursday, April 11, 2002

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