Dignity at stake, Hong Kong chief executive says in backing Carrie Lam's order that officials not be goaded into drinking lead-tainted water
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has defended his deputy's firm rebuttal of district councillors' protests over lead in water, criticising as "abnormal" and "improper" their pressuring government officials into drinking possibly contaminated water.
Hong Kong's top leader yesterday echoed Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor's stance, delivered in a staunch speech a day earlier.
In her remarks, Lam told the Legislative Council about an internal instruction she had issued, telling officials to "safeguard the government's dignity" and not to "accept humiliation".
They should decline requests from district councillors who tried to goad them at public events into drinking water from affected buildings since excessive lead was found in residential estates in July, she said on Friday.
Leung responded to a question about Lam's speech upon his return from Israel and Britain.
"Various departments have worked day and night together to solve this problem," he said.
"This includes the provision of a temporary water supply and bottled water. Our colleagues even deliver water to the homes of those who are unfit to walk.
"If residents and their representatives find there is anything else the government should do, we would be happy to consider it. We should be constructive … Pressuring officials into drinking water, especially that which they claim contains lead, is not the normal and proper thing to do."
Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man expressed sympathy for both residents and civil servants. "Some unfortunate incidents did happen … Everyone can express their views but they must respect others."
Development minister Paul Chan Mo-po, whose ambit includes the Water Supplies Department, said he agreed with Lam and that her speech represented the government's stance.
Home affairs minister Lau Kong-wah distanced himself from the issue, saying, "I shall not comment on the work of other bureaus."
