Editorial | Bottled water scandal should prompt civil servants to exercise due diligence

Accountability is at the core of a disciplinary investigation into the scandal involving the procurement of bottled water for government offices last year. Equally important is that lessons are learned and the appropriate punishment meted out to those responsible so as to serve as a stern warning for civil servants who fail to discharge their duties conscientiously.

Former director of government logistics Carlson Chan Ka-shun was cleared of negligence, though the probe deemed he should have done more to enhance the capabilities, sensitivities and proactiveness of staff members in procurement. According to the government, the fact that all three officers at different ranks “did not perform up to the standards commensurate with their ranks and experience in the incident reflects some prevalence of such substandard performance” in the department.

Whether the decision not to award the retired logistics chief the Silver Bauhinia Star is an adequate response to his role and responsibility in the fiasco is a matter of judgment. Officials said the decision was made in light of the “serious disrepute” brought to the government by the incident rather than as a punishment of Chan, raising questions about whether the buck should have stopped higher up.

The procurement mechanism is being enhanced in accordance with the recommendations of a task force and a review by the Audit Commission earlier. The same commitment is needed to restore public confidence in civil service integrity and management. With Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu having announced a new accountability system to strengthen civil service performance and responsibilities, the incident is a timely warning for officers of all ranks to exercise due diligence in the discharge of their duties.