The Hong Kong government has put on hold the presentation of a top honour to a newly retired official whose department was at the centre of a recent bottled water procurement scandal, saying it has to wait until a disciplinary probe reaches a conclusion.
The administration revealed the move on Tuesday evening in response to media questions on whether Carlson Chan Ka-shun would attend the 2025 honours presentation ceremony at Government House on Saturday.
Chan, the former director of the Government Logistics Department, was among 29 people awarded the Silver Bauhinia Star, one of the city’s top honours, on July 1.
“After consulting the Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee, pending the outcome of the investigation, Mr Carlson Chan will not be included in the attendance list of the Honours and Awards Presentation Ceremony to be held on November 15,” the government said.
“The government has already informed Mr Chan in this regard.”
It was referring to a disciplinary inquiry announced in October to look into problems surrounding the procurement of bottled drinking water by the logistics department.
The probe involved staff at multiple levels – frontline, middle management and senior officers – and was ongoing, the administration said.
Chan came under scrutiny in August after the scandal broke out over a three-year HK$52.9 million (US$6.8 million) bottled water supply contract awarded to Xin Ding Xin Trade.
The company allegedly submitted fraudulent documents and is suspected of scamming the department and breaching the Trade Descriptions Ordinance.
Chan later issued a public apology alongside Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu, who oversees the department.
Hui ordered the department to “take up the main responsibility” for the procurement failure.
Chan proceeded on pre-retirement leave in September. His post has since been taken up by Vicki Kwok Wong Wing-ki.
According to the announcement in July, Chan was awarded the honour in recognition of his meritorious and dedicated service to the government and the community in a 37-year career.
“He has made remarkable contributions, particularly in the areas of labour matters, formulating the policy on tenancy control on subdivided units as well as government procurement and supplies,” it said.
He had demonstrated high integrity, a strong commitment to serve and outstanding administration and leadership skills, it added.
Chan joined the government in 1987, rising through the civil service ranks. His appointments included commissioner for labour from October 2016 to December 2020. He served as the director of government logistics from July 2022 to September this year. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
