Police asked to investigate HKU audio leak: outrage over comments made about Johannes Chan
A liberal University of Hong Kong scholar at the centre of an appointment controversy was a “nice guy” but unqualified for a managerial position, according to an audio clip of an HKU council member leaked to the media.
Questions remain over the legality of a secret audio recording revealing discussions of the HKU council about the appointment of Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun to the role of pro-vice-chancellor for Hong Kong University.
The South China Morning Post has contacted Hong Kong Police to clarify what law, if any, has been broken and what line of investigation will be pursued in the matter.
The investigation comes with the revelation that liberal University of Hong Kong scholar at the centre of an appointment controversy was described as a "nice guy" but unqualified for a key managerial post, according to an audio clip of an HKU council member leaked to the media.
The comments by Professor Arthur Li Kwok-cheung, aired during a Commercial Radio programme yesterday, came amid speculation Li would be appointed chairman of the HKU governing body by the government, possibly as early as tomorrow.
The recording was said to have been made during an HKU council meeting on September 29 in which members discussed whether to accept Professor Johannes Chan Man-mun's application for the role of pro-vice-chancellor. Chan's appointment was eventually rejected by the council.
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In the clip, Li said he had "worries" over the issue and that Chan became law dean because he was "a nice guy". He queried Chan's lack of a degree equivalent to a PhD, MD or LLD.