A senior adviser to Hong Kong's chief executive has called for a measured approach in using the government's proposed accountability system to investigate department heads, warning that heavy-handed application could harm morale among civil servants.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the city's Executive Council - its top decision-making body - made the remarks during a televised interview on Sunday, according to the South China Morning Post.
Ip said the government should use the new system prudently and avoid actions that could erode confidence within the civil service. At the same time, she stressed that the framework was designed to encourage senior officials to take a more proactive role in identifying problems within their departments.
The system would serve as a reminder for leaders to actively spot deficiencies in their departments and "do better in handling residents' complaints," Ip said, according to the Post.
The proposed accountability system represents an effort by Hong Kong authorities to strengthen oversight of government departments and improve the quality of public services. Under such frameworks, department heads would face greater scrutiny over how their agencies perform and respond to public concerns.
Balancing accountability and stability
Ip's comments reflect a tension that often accompanies the introduction of new oversight mechanisms in public administration - the need to hold officials responsible for shortcomings while preserving the institutional stability and confidence required for effective governance.
By calling for a cautious approach, Ip appears to be signaling that the government does not intend to use the system aggressively against civil servants, but rather as a tool to encourage self-improvement and more responsive administration.
Hong Kong's civil service has historically been regarded as one of the more professional and stable in the region. Critics and supporters of accountability reforms alike have debated how best to maintain that reputation while introducing mechanisms to address public grievances more effectively.
The Executive Council, which Ip convenes, advises the city's chief executive on major policy decisions and plays a central role in shaping the direction of governance in Hong Kong.
Further details of the proposed accountability system, including how investigations would be initiated and what consequences department heads could face, were not specified in the available reporting.
