HONG KONG: Businessman Anthony Mok, father-in-law of Chief Executive Donald Tsang's eldest son and the man who suddenly found himself in a spotlight over possible conflict of interest issues after Tsang announced a plan to promote energy-saving light bulbs in his policy address last week, yesterday denied allegations that chief executive intentionally favored his light bulb business when the leader set out the new scheme.

Mok broke his silence by issuing a statement to selected newspapers six days after reports revealed he was the owner of a business that distributes compact mini-fluorescent lamps manufactured by the Philips Corporation.

Mok said he had not known about the cash-coupon scheme proposed by the chief executive, until it came to light, so to speak, last Wednesday in the policy address.

"Like the rest of the public, I and the Electric Fever Company came to learn about the light bulb scheme only when the policy address was released. Neither had I, nor Electric Fever, through any formal or private channel, discussed the matter with any government official, including the chief executive," he said in the statement.

He said that it is "unfair" that some label the proposed coupon scheme to promote purchase of the mini-fluorescent lamps as creating a direct benefit to one specific brand of products and that the insinuations also are "unfair" to him.

Mok said the public has many brands from which to choose and that there are other franchises in Hong Kong that sell Philips lighting products.

He added that Electric Fever's sales of tungsten bulbs and other lighting products is "even greater" than sales of energy-saving bulbs.

Mok said that the coupon program set forth by Tsang will bring both gains and losses but that the profits from the government promotion are not likely to be as much as many have predicted.

In recent years, Mok claimed he has become "semi-retired" and really doesn't have much part in his firm's daily operations.

Mok said he has transferred 30 percent of shares in Electric Fever to his son and he keeps but one "symbolic" share in the company.

He said the controversy implying that he will become the direct beneficiary of the chief executive's announcement has caused enormous harm to his family, his firm, the company staff and to himself.

Independent lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said, "I believe that he (the chief executive) did not deliberately favor a company. I think he was just negligent."

Ip Kwok-him, a legislator belonging to the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said, "the accusations need to be backed by proof if we are to impeach the chief executive or to summon him to testify according to the Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Ordinance, or it won't do any good to Hong Kong's society."

Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Stephen Lam Sui-lung said earlier that he would table a document explaining arrangements for the chief executive's expected declaration of interests.

China Daily

(HK Edition 10/22/2009 page1)