Hong Kong No 2 official Matthew Cheung warns staff against behaviour that clashes with government views ahead of rally organised by civil servants
- City’s deputy leader tells rank-and-file officials not to ‘do things’ at odds with government position
- A group of young civil servants organise rally on Friday in opposition to administration’s now-abandoned extradition bill
Speaking outside the hospital in Pok Fu Lam on Friday, Cheung reiterated the government’s stance that civil servants should be politically neutral.
“As civil servants we must maintain neutrality,” Cheung said.
“Our aim is to serve the public. Let’s not let personal views on politics affect our work.”
Organisers expected 2,000 people to turn up to echo the five main demands of the wider movement against the bill, which includes a full withdrawal of the draft legislation and the establishment of an independent probe into police’s use of force.
The bill would have allowed the transfer of criminal suspects to jurisdictions with which Hong Kong has no extradition deal, including mainland China.
At least two civil servant unions – the Hong Kong Public Doctors’ Association and the Radio Television Hong Kong Programme Staff Union – said they would attend.
Cheung said civil servants were free to engage in activities outside work, but added: “You cannot in the name of civil servants, do things in contrast with the government’s views.
“This will give a wrong impression there is a split in views within the government, or confrontations.”
Speaking on a radio programme on Friday, the former secretary for civil service Joseph Wong Wing-ping said the government should reflect on what it could do to mend ties with the public.
“If the government’s relationship with the people is harmonious and it is responsive to public opinion, then civil servants can better support the government,” Wong said.
The Hong Kong government also called for civil servants’ “total loyalty” to the “chief executive and the government of the day” in a statement on Thursday.
“In accordance with the established mechanism, [we will] seriously follow up on any violations of regulations by civil servants,” the statement read.
In an anonymous response, a group of “off-duty civil servants” from 52 government departments wrote that civil servants’ right to public assembly was protected by Article 27 of the Basic Law, which is often dubbed the city’s mini-constitution.
“We demand the government to respect and strictly follow the Basic Law and stop making statements that may cause panic among civil servants,” the letter read.
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The Post has approached the rally’s organisers for comment.
Other public sector staff have shared their opinion. A worker from the Education Bureau said he believed civil servants were free to express their views when off-duty.
“I believe most of the civil servants are well aware of their identity and will attend the rally as a Hongkonger, rather than as a civil servant,” he said.
Another civil servant said she would be joining the rally despite the stern warnings.
“Our job is to give suitable comments and recommendations to government initiatives,” she said.
“Given the situation is getting out of control, we are just using a peaceful way to voice our opinions to the public.”
Hong Kong No 2 official seeking treatment for ‘tiny cyst’ in nose
Meanwhile, Cheung said a “tiny cyst” was found in his nose during an annual body check.
“The doctor said it is not a big problem, but for safety’s sake ... it is best to treat it,” Cheung said, adding it did not put him off doing his job.
“It does not affect my work, I went to work as usual, thank you for your concern.”
Cheung also said the hospital had arranged his appointments outside regular hours so as not to affect other patients.
