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Equal Opportunities Commission chairperson Professor Alfred Chan Cheung-ming Photo: K. Y. Cheng

More apologies from scandal-plagued Hong Kong equality chief

Equal Opportunities Commission chairman Alfred Chan apologised again for ‘moonlighting’ and sending a ‘threatening email’ to a professor

Jennifer Ngo

Scandal-plagued equality chief yesterday offered double apologies for his blunders, the latest being an accusation that he sent an email threatening a professor critical of his integrity.

Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) chairman Alfred Chan Cheung-ming came under fire after multiple scandals ranging from a moonlighting gig to an email threat, as well as controversial and what was criticised as insulting remarks on sexual minorities and asylum seekers – just less than two weeks into the job.

He apologised for his “unintended mistake” over moonlighting as a thesis advisor for a student at Tarlac State University while still employed by Lingnan University, after a special meeting with board members to explain this particular incident.

“I had relied on my immediate memory when asked by the media on whether I declared [my work as a thesis advisor outside of the university] ... but memories can be wrong,” he said, regarding his initial statement that he did declare his work, but was later proven wrong when Lingnan stated that he had not. “For my unintentional mistake, I apologise.”

However, board member and Chinese University Professor Susanne Choi Yuk-ping still expressed worry despite Chan’s explanation.

“This has already had a bad effect on the EOC,” said Choi. “Even though [Chan] apologised, the way he handled the incident ... it was not done well. He could have done more.”

Choi said Chan will need to review how he manages such scandals, especially in how he speaks to the media.

“These incidents are actually his private matters, I hope in the future he will not use the EOC’s name to respond to such accusations,” she added.

Chan also addressed his latest scandal, and said that while he was not exerting pressure on University of Hong Kong Professor Petula Ho Sik-ying by mentioning his “close relations” with her supervisor in an email, he apologised if it was interpreted that way.

“I did not mean to threaten [Professor Ho]. But if it was taken that way, I’d also like to apologise,” he said.

Ho, in response, said while the apology was “definitely necessary”, the deeper issue of Chan’s lack of awareness and sensitivity towards gender and other minority and equality issues still was not addressed.

“His way of dealing with criticism [by sending a threatening email] is reflective of his mindset,” she said. “[Chan] should be at the forefront of upholding academic freedom and speaking against infringement of rights and inequality ... but his actions upholds the opposite.”

A number of concern groups will be protesting against Chan’s actions at the EOC today.

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