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They also want an investigation into Michael Wong and a public meeting of the commission

At least 60 non-governmental organisations have made a joint call for the resignation of EOC chairman Michael Wong Kin-chow over his sacking of a key staffer and allegations he accepted undeclared gifts as a judge.

The NGOs are organising a press conference to be held on Tuesday to demand Mr Wong's resignation, a public meeting of Equal Opportunities Commission members and a Legco inquiry into the controversy surrounding the embattled chairman.

The Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor, the Women's Coalition and the Civil Human Rights Front are among the groups that will be represented.

Society for Community Organisation director Ho Hei-wah said: 'No one agrees Michael Wong is still suitable to be chairman and too much damage has already been done to the EOC, so we are asking him to step down.

'The EOC has said it will hold a meeting of commissioners and we are asking for it to be an open meeting to the public.'

The controversy began with Mr Wong's dismissal of EOC operations director Patrick Yu Chung-yin last month, even before Mr Yu had taken up the post.

Allegations emerged this week that Mr Wong accepted a gift of four air tickets from Chinese Estates Holdings executive director Joseph Lau Luen-hung while he was on the bench without declaring them to the judiciary.

Mr Lau has denied he gave Mr Wong the tickets but would not say whether he gave them to Mr Wong's daughter.

Mr Ho was yesterday drafting a letter to Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang, seeking an investigation into the allegations which he said had caused 'big damage to the judiciary as well'.

Bar Association chairman Edward Chan King-sang said it was important for members of the judiciary to act beyond the mere letter of the law, saying he was worried about the effect the controversy would have.

'The judiciary is the cornerstone of the success of Hong Kong and is  [well known] for being clean and independent,' Mr Chan said.

'Whether the retired judge, Michael Wong, has committed an offence, what I can say is that I think everyone in Hong Kong is entitled to expect that members of the judiciary display the highest ethical standards and behave in such a manner that is exemplary and beyond suspicion.'

Mr Chan said he was certain the judiciary would act in accordance with the expectations of the public.

'I'm not sure the judiciary can do a lot in relation to this particular incident since he is a retired officer, but of course the power is open to the chief justice that the pension of a retired officer can be affected in some way,' Mr Chan said.

Mr Wong draws a $60,000-a-month judicial pension, in addition to his $2.9 million-a-year salary as EOC chairman.

Mr Chan said the Independent Commission Against Corruption would be the appropriate body to handle any investigation into Mr Wong, but added the Legislative Council and Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa also had roles to play.

Legislator and barrister Audrey Eu Yuet-mee agreed that the incident had tarnished the reputation of the judiciary.

Fellow lawmaker Emily Lau Wai-hing said she believed the ICAC would investigate the matter regardless of whether a complaint was filed.

'This is such a high-profile issue that they must have noticed it and seen it as something specific that they ought to check,' she said.

The Chief Executive's Office, the Home Affairs Bureau and the judiciary failed to respond to questions about Mr Wong yesterday.



60 NGOs unite to demand EOC chairman's head