I refer to Albert Cheng's column headlined 'Public needs assurances over funds following RTHK fiasco' (South China Morning Post, October 26). The Richard Tsang Yip-fat case has been reported in some detail in the press. The charges laid against him were to do with salary increases for temporary staff, but it was established there was no personal financial gain. His actions can hardly be characterised as misappropriation of funds. The full facts of the matter were considered and dealt with in accordance with legal advice and civil service regulations. Here again, misappropriation of funds was not an issue as there was no personal gain involved and the case was considered not meriting prosecution in court. Mr Cheng was incorrect regarding the Director of Broadcasting, Chu Pui-hing. Mr Chu was not asked to and did not testify at Richard Tsang's trial. RTHK always tries its best under difficult circumstances. Our staff strive to find flexibility to produce quality programmes with rules which are much stricter and more cumbersome than those found in the non-public sector of the broadcasting industry. However, operating as a government department, we are always mindful of the need for propriety and integrity even when, on occasion, the system is not user-friendly. We shall continue to strengthen our administrative and accounting procedures in partnership with other relevant authorities. At the end of 2000, we started a process to revamp payment arrangements for temporary staff, with contracts which closely detail terms of employment. On April 29, a treasury accountant post was created to deal with internal audit and systems review functions. As his first task, the accountant has been looking closely at payment procedures with a view to identifying further improvements in control. This exercise is near completion. RTHK welcomes full and informed debate of its activities and its overall role. TAI KEEN-MAN Head, Corporate Communications Unit Radio Television Hong Kong
