Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's first day at work yesterday saw members of his own administration call on him to address public concerns about illegal structures at his home on The Peak.
The calls came as reports said four ministers and Executive Council members had illegal structures at their homes. New health chief Dr Ko Wing-man and Exco member Bernard Chan admitted having unauthorised structures.
Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, along with Chan and fellow Exco member Cheng Yiu-tong, yesterday called on Leung to give a detailed explanation of the six illegal structures, including a glass enclosure and a basement, at his home.
But Lam and Cheng both said in separate interviews that the presence of the illegal structures was a matter of negligence by Leung, and did not call his integrity into question, despite accusations that he lied.
'If it's not dealt with properly, it will pose difficulties to governance,' Lam, the former development chief, said. 'I will encourage, support and even advise the chief executive to explain it as soon as possible and avoid it being uncovered [bit by bit] by media reports.'
Cheng agreed, saying: '[Leung] should come out to formally explain [the illegal structures] comprehensively ... or he will be dogged by it.'