Plan to make it easier to say sorry
It may seem the hardest word to say for some officials, but government reveals it is looking at how to apologise without fear of being sued
The government may introduce a new law enabling public agencies to apologise without fear of legal liability.
The Department of Justice said last night that a steering committee, chaired by Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, had been formed last year to study the need for such legislation.
The department was responding to a suggestion yesterday by Ombudsman Alan Lai Nin that a law might be required to overcome official reluctance to say sorry.
"Government officials may not apologise lightly to avoid losing face and out of fear of the legal responsibility that may follow," Lai said.
"When key officials refuse to apologise, their junior staff are likely to follow suit. But sometimes a heartfelt apology could give a victim comfort."
When key officials refuse to apologise, their junior staff are likely to follow suit. But sometimes a heartfelt apology could give a victim comfort
Director of Marine Francis Liu Hon-por came under fire for not apologising for the Lamma ferry disaster that claimed 39 lives on October 1 last year until nearly eight months later - in late May.
