Bottled water scandal should prompt civil servants to exercise due diligence
As three logistics department officers face action over the incident, Hong Kong must work to restore public confidence in the civil service
Accountability is at the core of a disciplinary investigation into the scandal involving the procurement of bottled water for government offices last year. Equally important is that lessons are learned and the appropriate punishment meted out to those responsible so as to serve as a stern warning for civil servants who fail to discharge their duties conscientiously.
Former director of government logistics Carlson Chan Ka-shun was cleared of negligence, though the probe deemed he should have done more to enhance the capabilities, sensitivities and proactiveness of staff members in procurement. According to the government, the fact that all three officers at different ranks “did not perform up to the standards commensurate with their ranks and experience in the incident reflects some prevalence of such substandard performance” in the department.