ROW ERUPTS OVER COUNCILLORS' TRIP
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MARS
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ROW ERUPTS OVER COUNCILLORS' TRIP
A row has broken out over revelations that an executive councillor and seven legislators from various political parties took their families on a six-day luxury trip to France -- with all expenses paid for by Cathay Pacific Airways.
Among those who went on the Paris visit -- which would have cost each of them tens of thousands of dollars -- were staunch Beijing loyalists Executive Councillor Cheng Yiu-tong from the Federation of Trade Unions; DAB legislators Ip Kwok-him and Elizabeth Quat; and independent Ma Fung-Kwok.
They were joined by pan-democrat lawmakers Albert Ho and James To from the Democratic Party; and Kenneth Leung from the Professional Commons. All of them, with some accompanied by family members, returned to Hong Kong from Paris on Wednesday morning.
Some critics said the trip has given the public an impression that there's a conflict of interest behind Cathay's offer as the airline had earlier asked the government to reject the license application of its rival -- budget carrier JetStar -- to operate in Hong Kong.
But Cathay Pacific issued a statement insisting that there was no conflict of interest, and the purpose of the visit was to show the group a new Airbus A330 aircraft it has recently acquired. The carrier stressed it regularly invites guests from various sectors of the community to join such delivery trips aimed at helping them gain a better understanding of the latest aircraft manufacturing technology and environmental innovation, as well as the development of the aviation industry.
But the airline refused to provide further details citing privacy concerns. Legislators were also quick to jump to their own defence. In a statement, James To said as Cathay will be purchasing 50 airbuses over the next eight years, it is reasonable for lawmakers to find out more about such an important investment.
Kenneth Leung from the accountancy sector and the DAB's Ip Kwok-him said they have declared the trip with the Legislative Council before taking off last week. Under current regulations, legislators are required to declare any overseas visits within 14 days of returning to Hong Kong.
Among those who went on the Paris visit -- which would have cost each of them tens of thousands of dollars -- were staunch Beijing loyalists Executive Councillor Cheng Yiu-tong from the Federation of Trade Unions; DAB legislators Ip Kwok-him and Elizabeth Quat; and independent Ma Fung-Kwok.
They were joined by pan-democrat lawmakers Albert Ho and James To from the Democratic Party; and Kenneth Leung from the Professional Commons. All of them, with some accompanied by family members, returned to Hong Kong from Paris on Wednesday morning.
Some critics said the trip has given the public an impression that there's a conflict of interest behind Cathay's offer as the airline had earlier asked the government to reject the license application of its rival -- budget carrier JetStar -- to operate in Hong Kong.
But Cathay Pacific issued a statement insisting that there was no conflict of interest, and the purpose of the visit was to show the group a new Airbus A330 aircraft it has recently acquired. The carrier stressed it regularly invites guests from various sectors of the community to join such delivery trips aimed at helping them gain a better understanding of the latest aircraft manufacturing technology and environmental innovation, as well as the development of the aviation industry.
But the airline refused to provide further details citing privacy concerns. Legislators were also quick to jump to their own defence. In a statement, James To said as Cathay will be purchasing 50 airbuses over the next eight years, it is reasonable for lawmakers to find out more about such an important investment.
Kenneth Leung from the accountancy sector and the DAB's Ip Kwok-him said they have declared the trip with the Legislative Council before taking off last week. Under current regulations, legislators are required to declare any overseas visits within 14 days of returning to Hong Kong.
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: HK
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
CX anti-bribery policy... we know about that, but what about their bribery policy?
49ers, S/O BPP, French Base closure, next will be the SHP Claim.
A lot of Beijing loyalists on that trip. Not long to go until we are taken over by Air China.
49ers, S/O BPP, French Base closure, next will be the SHP Claim.
A lot of Beijing loyalists on that trip. Not long to go until we are taken over by Air China.
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: In the hold
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
James To said as Cathay will be purchasing 50 airbuses over the next eight years, it is reasonable for lawmakers to find out more about such an important investment.
Last edited by ByAirMail; 22nd Aug 2013 at 00:45.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Asia
Posts: 248
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Would a ground presentation of the aircraft, a tour of the maintenance facility in Hong Kong, and a demonstration in the simulator not have been more informative,educational, and MUCH cheaper if the aim really was to
gain a better understanding of the latest aircraft manufacturing technology and environmental innovation, as well as the development of the aviation industry
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Kowloon
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Has anyone not noticed that everything is about putting on a show, impressing the rich and famous and monopolizing by its means?
As long as its a online vote casting award run by any HK websites, you would sure bet on a farm that Kitty is going to win. Remember the one by Yahoo HK? Well our highness has won it for a consecutive of ten years!
a round of applause please... Money pumped into Tina Tuner lookalikes, organizing of flashmobs (which by no mean generate any practical charitable funding), atrociously ridiculous red carpet and props, more money in false message propaganda advertisements... All these could be better spent on better terms of contract, housing, staff welfare. You could be lectured for getting sick! Yes this is it.
Happy workers happy company. Lets spend money giving them the attention they like, adverts, photography sessions with self invented slogans (often include the many broken Engrrish by local crew), more money in new lanyards, better investment in advertising to secure more awards. Make the company look reputable and workers happy on the outside, whatever beneath can be overlooked.... Not to forget to hire a couple of IT guys to do damage control against the pax complains on the FB page.
In some sense you cant deny its like a piece of KFC chicken, heavily powdered and coated with flour on the outside, but bad quality substance on the inside.
Lawmakers fly into storm over Cathay trip to France - The Standard
Life jackets, anyone?
As long as its a online vote casting award run by any HK websites, you would sure bet on a farm that Kitty is going to win. Remember the one by Yahoo HK? Well our highness has won it for a consecutive of ten years!
a round of applause please... Money pumped into Tina Tuner lookalikes, organizing of flashmobs (which by no mean generate any practical charitable funding), atrociously ridiculous red carpet and props, more money in false message propaganda advertisements... All these could be better spent on better terms of contract, housing, staff welfare. You could be lectured for getting sick! Yes this is it. Happy workers happy company. Lets spend money giving them the attention they like, adverts, photography sessions with self invented slogans (often include the many broken Engrrish by local crew), more money in new lanyards, better investment in advertising to secure more awards. Make the company look reputable and workers happy on the outside, whatever beneath can be overlooked.... Not to forget to hire a couple of IT guys to do damage control against the pax complains on the FB page.
In some sense you cant deny its like a piece of KFC chicken, heavily powdered and coated with flour on the outside, but bad quality substance on the inside.
Lawmakers fly into storm over Cathay trip to France - The Standard
Life jackets, anyone?
Last edited by Soul planet; 22nd Aug 2013 at 06:28.
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: North Pole
Age: 93
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No surprises really. The Swires have been playing this game for the last 150 years. That's why they love Hong Kong, a thin veneer of rule of law that if you scratch hard enough, is just as corrupt and dishonest as any mainland city.
Anyway, got to go. Must complete my anti bribery training. Lol.........
Anyway, got to go. Must complete my anti bribery training. Lol.........
