Lai See | So who's responsible for the MTR debacle?

Good to see the Hong Kong government's attitude towards the Principal Officials Accountability System remains unchanged. That is, no matter how embarrassing a blunder, make sure nothing sticks to you. The latest debacle surrounds the MTR and the news that the HK$67 billion high speed rail project will now take an additional not so high-speed two years to complete and millions of dollars in additional costs.

As secretary for transport and housing and MTR board member, this comes under Anthony Cheung Bing-leung's responsibility. In the fine tradition of those with responsibility seeking to distance themselves from ordure his response was, "I was totally caught by surprise", saying he had only heard of the delay at the weekend.

It is perhaps an improvement on the first words uttered by Michael Suen - "There is no need for anyone to resign" - when as secretary for housing planning and lands in December 2004, he botched the listing of the Link Reit.

But we catch Cheung's drift; "I am not to blame for this."