Criticism of the trial of 'Big Spender' Cheung Tze-keung created unnecessary panic and shook public confidence in the judicial system, Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie said yesterday.
Miss Leung and a top aide defended themselves against criticism, particularly from the legal profession, over the failure of the Government to bring Cheung to justice in local courts over the alleged kidnapping of tycoons.
During press questions at the Legco Building, Miss Leung called on the public to adopt an open-minded attitude towards the mainland legal system.
'I hope everyone understands that the 'one country, two systems' policy has just begun. We don't fully understand the mainland legal system and their development,' Miss Leung said.
'[We] should adopt an open attitude . . . and not create unnecessary panic, shake the public confidence towards our criminal justice system and stir up unnecessary debate.' Responding to last week's attack by former Bar Association chairman Gladys Li Chi-hei SC, Director of Public Prosecutions Grenville Cross said criticism that the legal system had been compromised by Cheung's trial was wide of the mark.
Mr Cross was responding to Ms Li's letter to the South China Morning Post published last Wednesday.
