June 16, 2011

Financial Secretary John Tsang has emphasised the selection process for the Internet Learning Support Programme was fair and did not involve political interference.
 
Speaking at the Legislative Council Information Technology & Broadcasting Panel special meeting today, Mr Tsang said allegations by the Government’s former chief information officer Jeremy Godfrey were derived from unfounded assumption and were unfair.
 
He said he was not involved in the selection process, and did not intend, or try, to skip the normal procedure. He did not make any request or instruction to anyone to designate the Internet Learning Support Programme to any organisation.
 
He said all staff at the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and the Financial Secretary’s Office understands the tender selection process must be fair, just and unbiased.
 
Mr Tsang also said Mr Godfrey possesses professional knowledge but may not be able to fully grasp the procedures of public administration, hence the misunderstanding.