Hong Kong civil servants sharing opinions on government policies privately do not have ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card, official says
- Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung says government workers will be held accountable for leaked private comments, urging caution in personal lives and online
- Government has proposed changes to code of conduct, with workers to be disciplined for public criticism in official capacity or remarks as ordinary residents in some cases
Civil servants should not mistake sharing their opinions privately on government policies for a “get-out-of-jail-free” card, a Hong Kong official has said, adding that speaking with prudence has always been “a virtue of Chinese people”.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan on Saturday said government workers must speak with caution in their personal lives and online, as members of the public could link their comments to their official roles.
“Everyone should be careful about the consequences of what they say, and how it spreads,” she told a radio show. “It is not right to say that if someone speaks in their private capacity, they will have a ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card.
“When our colleagues express their opinions, they have to be careful about the occasion and who they are speaking to. If what they share within a private circle is leaked, they will be held accountable.”
Last week, the government revealed proposed changes to the code of conduct for civil servants.