Yeung Ho Pui Yan Says Staff Found at Fault in Wang Fuk Court Fire Probe Could Face Dismissal in Most Serious Cases

The government has launched a two-tier investigation mechanism under the departmental heads' accountability system into the administrative responsibility for the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire, to be investigated by the Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service Committee and completed within three months. Secretary for the Civil Service Yeung Ho Pui Yan said that if the civil servants concerned are found to be at fault, they could face dismissal in the most serious cases, as well as being ordered to retire, demotion, reprimands and fines. The authorities are amending the Civil Service Management Orders to speed up disciplinary hearings, expected to take effect by the end of the year.