Christian former Hong Kong equality watchdog official entitled to his own views on gay rights, tribunal hears

A former top official of the equality watchdog was entitled to share a different point of view from his employer on gay rights, student leader Joshua Wong Chi-fung's father said yesterday.

Roger Wong Wai-ming was testifying in court for the ex-chief officer of the Equal Opportunities Commission, Josiah Chok Kin-ming, who is chasing the commission at the Labour Tribunal for a gratuity of HK$867,000.

The watchdog decided not to grant the gratuity that came with Chok's role after he attended a function organised by the Tsung Tsin Mission church on August 16 last year, where he distributed sample letters opposing reforms of anti-discrimination laws he was involved in reviewing.

Wong, who also attended the function, said it was common sense that an employee was entitled to hold a different viewpoint from his employer.

He said that Chok, who is a Christian, attended the function in a personal capacity.

"Chok hoped the attendees could do something consistent with their belief," Wong said. "An employee's point of view could be different from that of his employer. This is common sense."

Wong added: "I believe there is freedom of expression in Hong Kong."

Senior equal opportunities officer Yu Wai-ling said it was the first time since the commission was set up in 1996 that its credibility had been severely damaged, due to Chok's conduct. Yu said the watchdog considered his act "serious misconduct".

Li Siu-kwai, Chok's former superior, told the court that the commission's chairman, Dr York Chow Yat-ngok, informed him last July - before the church function - that Chok's contract would not be renewed. He said one of the reasons was that Chok had communication problems with colleagues.