ICAC won't pursue 'drunk driving'

The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has decided not to take further action against Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po, who was accused of drunk driving in October last year.

An ICAC spokesperson said that an online video clip portraying Chan driving his car after drinking beer in Happy Valley, appeared to have been edited. The police failed to locate the person who shot the video. ICAC has decided not to pursue the case because of a lack of evidence.

Chan contacted police after the video emerged in October. Police sought legal advice from ICAC after an investigation. Chan issued a statement that the incident made him understand the public's expectations of officials and that he will be careful about his behavior in future.

Rafael Hui case adjourned to Mar 8

The Eastern Magistrates' Court has adjourned the graft trial involving former chief secretary for administration Rafael Hui and Thomas and Raymond Kwok, co-chairmen of Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd (SHK). At the request of the prosecution, the case was adjourned, on Friday to March 8. Bail conditions for the defendants were extended.

The prosecution also obtained a court order that forbids the defendants from discussing the case with witnesses, who total 72 in number. Acting Principal Magistrate Bin Chainrai said usually defendants are not allowed to contact witnesses at all. But the prosecution pointed out that many witnesses are SHK staff.

Govt to draft paternity leave

The government is proposing three-day's paternity leave in the draft law on statutory parental leave allowances, said Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung on Friday.

During the period, the fathers would receive 80 percent of regular pay, similar to sick leaves and maternity leaves, Cheung said.

'System favors kids inside district'

Cherry Tse Kit-ching said the existing school place allocation system has already given priority to children living in the North District, in preference to those living across the border.

At a Legislative Council panel meeting, Tse said that the system gave more places to children with addresses inside the district, while cross-border children are allocated places from schools all over eight districts.

She also said that the problem caused by cross-border children is only temporary, as the number of babies born to mainland mothers has significantly decreased since July last year.

Leung named ERB chairman

The government announced on Friday the appointment of William Leung Wing-cheung as chairman of the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) for the period from January 15, 2013 to March 31, 2015.

The Secretary for Labour and Welfare Matthew Cheung Kin-chung welcomed the appointment, praising Leung's extensive service to the ERB since 2008 and other advisory and statutory bodies.

Cheung also paid special tribute to the deceased former chairman, Ng Tat-lun, who died on January 14.

China Daily

(HK Edition 01/26/2013 page1)