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Former director of the Government Logistics Department (GLD) Carlson Chan Ka-shun had his Silver Bauhinia Star withdrawn by the government on Tuesday, as authorities cited his responsibility for last year's bottled water procurement scandal.
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Originally announced to be receiving the honor last July, Chan's recognition was put on hold after the scandal broke in August.
Delivering the disciplinary and task force report this morning, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan explained that the withdrawal decision was due to shortcomings in enhancing staff vigilance and performance.
Yeung further clarified that the withdrawal of the honor was not a punishment but instead "the withdrawal of a reward". Although the honor has yet to be formally conferred on Chan, the withdrawal of the Silver Bauhinia Star has made him the 12th person to have an honor revoked.
Established in 1997, Hong Kong's Honours and Awards System recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions, distinguished public or community service to the city, or personal excellence in their field.
Additionally, honors and awards will also be given to individuals for acts of bravery that deserve public recognition.
Notably, the Silver Bauhinia Star is awarded to leaders who have given long and dedicated service to public affairs or voluntary work.
To uphold the integrity of the Honours and Awards System, a forfeiture mechanism has been established to review an award recipient's suitability continuously.
Notably, an award may be retrieved if the recipient is convicted of a crime with a sentence of one year or more, or if their actions brought serious disrepute to the award system.
Each case will be approved personally by the Chief Executive, and the forfeiture will be promulgated in the Government Gazette with the name of the award recipient removed from the Honours List and his/her medal(s)/certificate(s) retrieved.
History of revocations since handover
Including Chan's case, a total of 12 individuals have had their awards forfeited or withdrawn since the handover.
Other prominent figures who have been stripped of honours include former Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan and former Sun Hung Kai Properties co-chairman Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, who lost their Grand Bauhinia Medal and Silver Bauhinia Star respectively in 2018 after corruption convictions.
Former CPPCC National Committee member Lew Mon-hung also had his Bronze Bauhinia Star revoked in 2020 for perverting the course of justice.
Other individuals on the list include former Hong Kong Jockey Club voting member John Terence Hung, former executive councilors Barry Cheung Chun-yuen and Sin Chung-kai, and academic Benny Tai Yiu-ting.
In a contrasting outcome, former Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen retained his Grand Bauhinia Medal after his 2017 conviction for misconduct in public office was overturned on final appeal in 2019.
Notably, the government has also revoked the title of Justice of the Peace from individuals, including former lawmaker Martin Lee Chu-ming, who was convicted of taking part in an unlawful assembly in 2019.
