Dear friends,

The World Cup has kicked off! Soccer enthusiasts are probably busy sizing up all the qualified teams for the World Cup tournament. Which one is most likely to succeed as champion? Apart from their strengths, a lot depends on luck and the grouping they find themselves in.

        As we move into the second half of the year, the new term of the Chief Executive starts as well. The accountability system for principal officials will also be implemented. Whether the expected objectives can be achieved will depend not only on the system, but, most importantly, on the choice of the appointees. The responsibilities are certainly heavy for these ministers, be they from the civil service or not. In the light of the new situation, we should accept these new appointees with some generosity of spirit and adopt a supportive rather than a harsh and demanding attitude. If we all keep this in mind, life in Hong Kong will be a lot easier.

Eric Li

	The Hon Eric Li, President of the Activities Committee of the Eastern District Junior Police Call, and participants of the Li Kwan-hung Cup football match.
At the press conference, “AIA ?Quest for the Champion Communicator? organized by the Association of International Accountants.
As keynote speaker at the inauguration ceremony of the Hong Kong Institute of Registered Financial Planners.
At the inauguration ceremony of the 31st Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Baptist University Society of Accountancy.
	As officiating guest at the prize presentation ceremony of the 2001/02 Statistical Project Competition for Secondary School Students.
At the 2002 Annual Dinner of the Hong Kong Branch of the Association of International Accountants.
	As officiating guest at the Second Annual Dinner of the IT Accountants Association.
As officiating guest at the Inauguration Reception of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Alliance.

Auditor: Striking a balance between rights and duties ?A record of the three readings of the Securities and Futures Bill
 

Commitment at the Legislative Council

Membership of the following newly formed Bills Committees and Subcommittees (as at 12 June 2002):

＊  Bills Committee on United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Bill

＊  Subcommittee to Study the Proposed Accountability System for Principal Officials and Related Issues
 

Questions Raised and Debates attended

＊  Will a principal official be sacked if Legco passes a motion of no-confidence in him/her?

(Question raised concerning CE’s speech on the Principal Officials Accountability System at the Legislative Council meeting on 17 April 2002)

＊  Use of medical facilities without payment by non-Hong Kong residents

(Supplementary question raised at the Legislative Council meeting on 24 April 2002)

＊  Counterfeit $10 coins and notes

(Supplementary question raised at the Legislative Council meeting on 24 April 2002)

＊  Hospital Authority’s cash management

(Supplementary question raised at the Legislative Council meeting on 15 May 2002)

＊  Interdiction of civil servants

(Written question raised at the Legislative Council meeting on 29 May 2002)
 

Will a principal official be sacked if Legco passes a motion of no-confidence in him/her?

(Question raised concerning CE’s speech on the Principal Officials Accountability System at the Legislative Council meeting on 17 April 2002)
 

Use of medical facilities without payment by non-Hong Kong residents

(Supplementary question raised at the Legislative Council meeting on 24 April 2002)
 

Low tenancy at Cyberport shows Government “has been cheated?br>  

More Flexibility in leasing terms

Advice for Action

Pay cut issue for the civil service

＊  Joseph Yam’s voluntary 10% pay cut brings positive effects

＊  Small pay cut for civil servants raises pressure to increase tax next year

＊  Pay-cut legislation acceptable but flexibility needed

＊  New taxes will be introduced eventually if pay cut not imposed on civil servants

＊  Pay cut for civil servants too moderate

      Public likely to become target

＊  Eric Li proposed large scale trimming of the Government

Public Accounts Committee (PAC)

＊  Donald Tsang’s response to Report No. 37

Activities

＊  The first to be conferred the 2002 International Accountant Award

＊  Rita Fan thanked Eric Li for flower basket and serving as officiating guest

＊  Attended for the first time the meeting of the Court of the Hong Kong Polytechnic
  University

＊  Official Receiver’s Office’s update on cost saving effects of a new post

＊  Work of PAC introduced to the Delegation of Performance Auditing from Shenzhen

＊  Attended the press conference, “AIA ? Quest for the Champion Communicator?organized by
   the Association of International Accountants

＊  Hong Kong Baptist University Society of Accountancy thanked Eric Li for his donation and
  for attending the inauguration ceremony

＊  Reappointed as President of the Hong Kong Sports Association for the Mentally Handicapped

＊  “On local accountants?opportunities up north?released on the internet

Recognition of two private companies as certification authorities

News Digest

＊   Government culture and organizational framework need major surgery

＊   Division and merging of departments common and usual

＊   It’s right and proper to carry out duties and conduct house arrests

＊   Call for an early review of the disbursement policy of the Comprehensive Social Security
       Assistance Scheme (CSSA) as soon as possible

＊   Handcuffing newsmen an overreaction

       The Police should be calmer than the media

＊   Eric Li: high-profile arrests border on credit seeking and unfair to suspects

＊   Disciplinary forces should remain calm and exercise restraint

＊   Core members of the radio programme “Letter to Hong Kong?/u>