Author Archives: hksar gov

     Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, after attending the launch ceremony for the New Chapter for Glass Bottle Recycling this afternoon (January 10):
 
Reporter: Does the relatively new recycling scheme for electronics and electrical appliances have any flaws? Or any room for improvement? Because there are complaints that people are not getting their products taken away immediately, and that’s why the old products are being left on the street. That’s not helpful to the scheme.
 
Secretary for the Environment: Firstly, the disposal of the concerned e-waste at the RCPs (refuse collection points) or roadsides actually is not increasing, based on our data collected before and after the (introduction of the) new law. The numbers of the disposed e-waste actually are more or less the same. But, we would like to further promote the new initiative. That means even people are not going to buy any new equipment, there are free services, as long as they can use the hotline, and arrange for the free collection of the old appliances from their premises. I think that there’s room for the Government and the community to further promote this type of service.
 
Reporter: But just now, a reporter was asking that whether your bureau will be considering subsidising some recyclers who are interested in taking up the scheme, but may not have the relative required space or equipment. Are you considering subsidising these recyclers or interested parties?
 
Secretary for the Environment: I think there are two points. Firstly, the stakeholders can consider the market situation themselves to decide if they participate in it. Secondly, for the government contractor, we engaged him through the open tender. Certainly, there’s room for further consideration by the Government. But, I think the law is still new, that we would like to have more observations and consider the way forward later.
 
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.) read more

     The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joshua Law, visited the Efficiency Office today (January 10) to learn about the work of front-line colleagues who provide the 1823 service, and meet with staff of various grades to exchange views on matters of concern.

     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Law met with the Commissioner for Efficiency, Ms Olivia Nip, and the directorate staff to get an update on the Office’s operation since its re-organisation last year, as well as its work in supporting the Innovation and Technology Bureau to promote the Government’s agenda for innovation, technology adoption and public service improvement.

     Mr Law then toured the 1823 Centre in Kowloon Government Offices, where he learnt about the round-the-clock, one-stop service provided by front-line colleagues to the public, including answering general enquiries for a wide range of departments and receiving complaints and suggestions about any government service. 1823, the biggest contact centre in Hong Kong, handled more than 3.7 million calls and 520,000 non-voice contacts, including submissions via email, mobile application and web form, in 2018.

     Mr Law said he was pleased to learn that the 1823 Centre is barrier-free and the Office has been extending appropriate support to colleagues with disabilities, allowing them to unleash their full potential in the job.

     Before concluding his visit, Mr Law met with staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to listen to their views on matters that concerned them. He praised the colleagues for their commitment to providing citizen-centric services, and encouraged them to continue to enhance their efforts in the wider adoption of innovation and technology in government services, as well as in upgrading the quality and efficiency of public services in general.

        

     The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (January 10) held a launch ceremony for the New Chapter for Glass Bottle Recycling, rolling out the Glass Container Recycling Charter and a series of promotional and publicity… read more

     A spokesman for the Housing Department (HD) today (January 10) reminded residents of public rental housing (PRH) estates to declare truthfully their income and assets.

     A PRH resident, who did not declare her ownership of a domestic property in Hong Kong during the declaration cycle in April 2018, was convicted at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court on January 8 and ordered to pay a fine of $40,000.

     In this case, the PRH resident declared during the declaration cycle in April 2018 that she owned a 40 per cent interest in a commercial unit. Subsequent investigation revealed that she had concealed that, during the declaration period, she also owned a domestic property in Hong Kong. The resident was prosecuted by the HD for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance.

     The spokesman said that households should complete their declaration forms accurately, as doing so provides the foundation for the assessment of rent and their eligibility for continuing residence. Before making the declarations, households should read the content and completion guidelines of the declaration forms carefully and compute their income and assets in accordance with the methods specified therein. Otherwise, they may be prosecuted for making a false statement knowingly, contrary to Section 26(1)(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $50,000 fine and imprisonment for six months) or for neglecting to furnish information as specified in the declaration forms, contrary to Section 27(a) of the Housing Ordinance (if convicted, the maximum penalty is a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three months). 

     In addition, the HD will take action to recover the undercharged rent incurred due to the inaccurate information. According to the revised “Well-off Tenants Policies” endorsed in December 2016, PRH households with domestic property ownership in Hong Kong will be required to vacate their PRH flats, irrespective of their levels of household income or assets.
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     The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (January 10) released Aircraft Accident Preliminary Report 1/2019 in relation to an Air Canada Boeing 777-333ER aircraft (registration mark C-FITW). The underside of th… read more