HKU plot thickens as cops get new info

Wallis Wang

A student representative in the University of Hong Kong's governing council has provided information to police in a case that sources said could be related to reports of leaked documents from the council.

This came weeks after an internal fight within the governing council became public following a series of complaints against university president Zhang Xiang.

Casey Chik Yau-hong, the undergraduate representative in the council, said yesterday he went to police headquarters on Thursday to voluntarily assist police investigations over a case related to the university.

However, he did not disclose further details beyond saying he was accompanied by his barrister and solicitor when assisting the Hong Kong Island crime unit's officers.

"I have properly fulfilled my responsibilities as a public servant and elected student representative in accordance with the law. I have a clear conscience," he said.

In response to an enquiry from The Standard, the force said it received a report last Wednesday that said someone allegedly leaked documents and information of an educational institution on Pok Fu Lam Road.

The case has been classified as a request for police investigation and is being followed up by officers. No arrest was made.

Council members received anonymous complaint emails against Zhang at the end of September.

The allegations against Zhang include the inappropriate handling of donations from a mainland corporation, Ninestar, and the hiring a US headhunter agency without going through correct procedures.

Zhang was also accused of replacing the president's vehicle with a BMW he favored without bidding and used HK$55 million to renovate the senior common room, which has three restaurants open only to senior staff.

The council has set up a five-strong panel, chaired by council member Jimmy Ng Wing-ka, who represents the industrial sector in the Legislative Council, to look into the allegations.

The other four are Brian Stevenson and Jason Chiu Tsz-kiu from the council and two other non-council members.

Council chairwoman Priscilla Wong Pui-sze said the panel would look into matters and issues relating to the complaints and report back to it within 12 weeks.

But Zhang doubted the council's ability to handle the accusations against him in a fair and impartial manner.

"The fact that our confidential communication was leaked immediately raises concerns about potential unauthorized disclosure by certain members of the council and its potential connection to the rumormongers," he said.

"I am also worried about whether the council will be able to handle all the accusations against me in a fair and impartial manner."

Zhang said all the accusations were "baseless and maliciously fabricated."

He insisted the leakage of internal communications between university departments had made many university staff feel harassed and worried that the files might be distorted and manipulated to defame the university further.