Tomorrow (October 1) will be the tenth anniversary of the Lamma shipwreck, which killed 39 people, including eight children.
Zhang Bingliang, who was the Secretary for Transport and Housing at the time of the accident, replied to "Hong Kong 01" by email today (30th), saying: "The incident is a disaster and tragedy, which is heartbreaking."
At that time, the Transport and Housing Bureau set up a team to conduct an internal investigation to find out whether there were any deficiencies in the performance of duties by the Marine Department staff at Lamma 4.
However, the 430-page internal investigation report was released by the government only in summary form, condensed into 30 pages, and has not been fully disclosed, and the public has no way of knowing the responsibility of prescribers.
Zhang Bingliang said in an email that he has always believed that the report should be made public, "because we are open and honest, and there is nothing to hide."
He went on to say that in addition to considering the impact on the disciplinary process, the government must also "return justice to the public, and let family members feel relieved and let go of their worries for many years; moreover, the police have completed the criminal investigation, which has alleviated the concerns of the past year."
But he said that today is no longer in his place, and it is not appropriate to comment on what the Hong Kong government can do.
"Hong Kong 01" has recently made enquiries to the Chief Executive's Office, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Marine Department and other departments on matters related to the Lamma shipwreck, and is waiting for a reply.
Lamma Shipwreck 10th Anniversary Series No. 4
The 10th Anniversary of the Lamma Disaster Report:
Ten years of Lamma shipwreck | Survivor Zhao Bingquan seeks the truth for her deceased sister: At this moment, I am still very saddened Shipwreck investigation ten-year seesaw 3 report reveals Marine Department mistakes and omissions, but no one fell into the wok
After the Lamma shipwreck, the independent investigation committee appointed by the Chief Executive found that the Marine Department had made mistakes in reviewing documents and inspecting Lamma No. 4 in the past, and believed that the Marine Department needed to be reformed.
At that time, the THB also set up an internal investigation team, which was responsible for finding out any deficiencies or deficiencies in the past performance of duties by MD staff at Lamma No. 4, and recommending the disciplinary actions to be taken to the staff who had committed misconduct.
Instructions were issued that year to require full, thorough and fair investigations regardless of position
Zhang Bingliang replied to Hong Kong 01's enquiry about the Lamma shipwreck by email this afternoon.
He said that the instructions given to the internal investigation team at the time were that "the investigation should be comprehensive, thorough and fair, regardless of the position of the personnel involved", but he never interfered with the internal investigation as the director.
He continued to point out that after the investigation was completed in early 2014, since the content involved a criminal investigation, the Department of Justice thought it was inappropriate to make it public at that time, but he also suggested that the families of the deceased may consider using civil legal procedures to request an internal investigation report, and then the court would decide whether to make the case. Make sure everything is legal and fair.
Zhang Bingliang: There is nothing to hide in the investigation report
Regarding whether the report should be made public, Zhang Bingliang pointed out that his personal position has always been: "The investigation report should finally be made public, because we are frank and have nothing to hide."
He continued that the government's decision must take into account the impact on the law and civil service procedures; however, it should also consider the incident involving a major disaster, "the public must be treated with justice, and family members should be relieved and let go of their long-standing worries."
He said the police had completed the criminal investigation and the public report had lessened the concerns of the year, but he also added: "I am not in the seat today and it is not appropriate to comment on what the government can do."
▼October 1, 2017 Citizens mourned the fifth anniversary of the Lamma shipwreck▼
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Zhang: The incident was a disaster and tragedy, it was heartbreaking
In June this year, the family members of the deceased filed a petition to the High Court, hoping to hold a cause of death inquest.
Zhang Bingliang said that it must be decided by the coroner's inquest judge.
Asked about his feelings on the 10th anniversary of the shipwreck, he said: "It was a disaster and tragedy, and it was heartbreaking."
As for the current government's position on the Lamma shipwreck, and whether it will agree to publicize the investigation report.
"Hong Kong 01" has recently made inquiries to the Chief Executive's Office, the Transport and Logistics Bureau, the Civil Service Bureau, the Marine Department and other departments, and is waiting for a reply.
10 years of Lamma shipwreck｜The victim Liang Shuling spent two years seeking evidence to open the coroner: I want to know the truth 10 years of Lamma shipwreck｜Ten years of shipwreck investigation seesaw 3 reports reveal mistakes and omissions of the Marine Department, but no one fell into the wok of the Lamma shipwreck for 10 years｜ Survivor Zhao Bingquan seeks the truth for his deceased sister: I am still so sad at this moment
