Civil servants plan double test for ban
A two-pronged plan to nominate candidates for the Selection Committee is being prepared by civil servants.
On the eve of a legal battle to challenge the government decision banning senior officials from serving on the committee, the Senior Non-Expatriate Officers' Association has decided to prepare two lists of nominees.
Spokesman Ma Siu-leung said if they lost the appeal, they would consider making a concession by putting forward non-directorate officers' names.
'We want to create a positive image for the public. Through participation, we want to tell the public not every civil servant wants to leave [before the handover],' he said.
He believed participation by his members would create a stabilising effect on society.
Preparation work on seeking a judicial review of the government decision was finished, and the application would be lodged in the next few days.
The review aims to fight for senior officials' rights to serve on the body.
All directorate-grade officials, and police, information and administrative officers - about 30,000 - are barred by a government guideline.
'If it is followed we will be in a difficult situation because our president, Hui Kwok-hung, is acting as a D1 officer, while vice-president Dr Leung Chi-chiu is a D2. The impact on us will be great if both our president and vice-president are not allowed to join the committee.' Legislator Henry Tang Ying-yen confirmed he would stand for the Selection Committee via the Federation of Hong Kong Industries of which he is chairman. Mr Tang will be joined by the deputy chairmen: Kenneth Ting Woo-shou, Donald Chia, Andrew Leung Kwan-yuen and Victor Lo Cheung-wing.
