John Lee demands accountability after water bottle procurement scandal

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu on Saturday morning has expressed “extreme disappointment” over a government procurement scandal involving bottled water, vowing to hold officials accountable and reform the system after a supplier was accused of submitting false documents.

Lee has publicly criticized the Government Logistics Department for “failing to uphold its duties” in a procurement controversy involving bottled water supplies. 

The remarks came after he visited local communities this morning.

Lee confirmed that the winning bidder is suspected of providing false information during the tender process. 

He described the incident as “deeply disappointing,” particularly as it occurred within a department specializing in daily procurement operations.

The Chief Executive called for an urgent review of existing mechanisms and procedures to prevent similar incidents. 

He emphasized that if any public servants are found negligent or at fault, they will be dealt with seriously and fairly under civil service regulations.

Lee endorsed the three-step response initiated by Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui. 

He also expressed strong support for the Audit Commission’s involvement, praising its professionalism, independence, and credibility. 

He expects the commission to quickly complete its review of the bidding process and determine whether human error or oversight played a role.

Once the audit report is released, Lee urged relevant authorities to immediately examine its findings and recommendations. 

He also backed the government’s decision to terminate six contracts linked to the supplier, “Xin Ding Xin,” stating that the move protects both government and public interests. He further warned that any additional cases of false documentation should be referred to law enforcement.

Looking forward, Lee called for an expansion of due diligence requirements in the tender process. 

He urged the Task Force on Review of Government Procurement Regime, led by Hui, to strengthen management systems and clarify vetting standards. The review will also cover other government fund disbursement procedures.

The Hong Kong leader stressed that civil servants must improve their alertness and ability to detect fraud. 

He recommended enhanced training in basic fraud detection and the adoption of technology to better assess bidder backgrounds, capabilities, and pricing reasonableness.

Lee concluded by emphasizing that government spending must be responsible and value-driven, not merely based on finding the lowest price. “Every dollar the government spends is public money,” he said, “and it must be used appropriately.”