Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen yesterday dismissed allegations that he intentionally favoured his in-law's light-bulb business when he launched a scheme to encourage the use of energy-saving bulbs.
But his failure to declare the potential conflict of interest when his cabinet endorsed the scheme, announced in Wednesday's policy address, prompted calls to revamp the present declaration system.
As well as filing a complaint to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, some lawmakers have demanded the chief executive give a personal explanation about the incident at an upcoming meeting of the Legco constitutional affairs panel.
Admitting that his son's father-in-law, Anthony Mok Kam-chuen, ran a distribution business for a leading brand of energy-saving bulbs, Tsang said no conflict of interest was involved. Several Chinese-language newspapers revealed the connection two days after Tsang delivered his annual policy blueprint.
'Any decision I have made has only one purpose, which is to protect the public interest. There exists no question of any conflict of interest in this matter,' Tsang said. 'Any companies who promise not to sell incandescent light bulbs within a certain period of time and help to recycle incandescent light bulbs can participate in this scheme fairly.'
In a statement, Tsang's office said the chief executive did not make any declaration because he did not believe there to be any conflict of interest. He 'understood' public concerns and acknowledge the need for officials to be careful of potential conflicts, the statement said. In an interview with ATV last night, Tsang said the row had made his in-laws and his family 'suffer enormously'. 'Suddenly you find certain newspapers implying that you can make a lot of profit out of a public policy. Mr Mok is a decent person. I personally feel exceedingly embarrassed,' he said.