Ethics guidelines criticised
Proposed ethics guidelines for Selection Committee members were criticised last night as inadequate.
The rules, put forward by a Preparatory Committee sub-group, would disqualify any members who had received benefits from chief executive candidates.
Members could also not libel or make false statements about candidates, or encourage other members to vote or not vote for candidates.
But some Preparatory Committee members said there were loopholes.
The guidelines did not cover the behaviour of chief executive candidates and did not define what or how much money would be regarded as a 'benefit'.
Members were asked to clarify any queries with the chairmen's meeting.
The chairmen's meeting would also be responsible for receiving, investigating and deciding on any complaints.
Sub-group member Frederick Fung Kin-kee said the guidelines were incomplete.
'They are guidelines which restrict the chickens, not the eagles. Those who give benefits can go on giving benefits, but the voters can break the guidelines at any time,' he said.
The rules contradicted the spirit of anti-corruption laws in which both parties were punished, he said.
