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Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) made by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Edward Yau, at a media session after attending a radio programme today (October 20):
Reporter: There is a conflict of interest allegation. What do you have to say?
Secretary for the Environment: There was a media enquiry late last night about whether my brother's involvement in a project in Sheung Wan would involve the transformation of an industrial building into residential premises. Upon enquiry, he's given me the information that that particular site completed all the necessary procedures within the year of 2008. It has nothing to do with the Policy Address. My brother, like any other citizen, has his own career and job. In my capacity as a public officer, of course, there is a very strict system of declaration of interest. In my daily handling of work, I am not involved in any land development. Should there be any interest that might arise, I will of course make full declaration of it.
Reporter: With this kind of conflict of interest allegation involving you and previously the Chief Executive, do you think there should be some sort of improvement in the declaration?
Secretary for the Environment: I think there is a system in place and (the system is) quite transparent. I appeal to the public, for an enquiry like this, people can judge it by the facts.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:43
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