Public Service Commission chairwoman Maisie Cheng announced that an inquiry team will interview approximately 100 government officers across four departments regarding the accountability of civil servants in the Wang Fuk Court fire. The investigation is part of a two-tier administrative-accountability probe initiated by Chief Executive John Lee. Cheng emphasized that the team will work diligently to complete the investigation within three months, stating preparatory work has been ongoing since August and will use the independent committee report as a starting point. Cheng elaborated that the team will delve into the shortcomings of individual civil servants, including potential breaches of the Civil Service Code, by reviewing files and conducting interviews. The second paragraph mentions the roles of Civil Service Secretary Ingrid Yeung, who will oversee the decision on whether to recommend disciplinary action or administrative sanctions based on the investigation's findings. Yeung noted that for disciplinary cases, the government can take action such as dismissal, mandatory retirement, demotion, issuance of a reprimand, or imposition of a fine.
Cheng confirmed that the team is well-prepared, having familiarized themselves with the significant information made public by the independent committee. Although the investigation is challenging, the team is confident in their ability to start immediately upon the formation of the investigation team and support office today. The government expects to swiftly study the team's recommendations and prepare accordingly. The detailed process and potential consequences for officers involved highlight the seriousness with which this inquiry is being handled.