XN000022-1995-07-07 — Page 23

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Comments on briefing out costs in Bumiputra case

Commenting on the Report of the Legislative Council Panel on Administration of Justice and Legal Services, on the briefing out costs in the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance Ltd case, a spokesman for the Legal Department said today (Friday):

"The Panel has made a detailed examination of the issues and has produced a thorough report. We shall study the report carefully and give serious consideration to its observations and recommendations.

"The Panel's Report and the Director of Audit's Report earlier have identified areas where improvements could be made to the briefing out system. We have taken a number of steps to address the issue. Measures have been adopted since the beginning of this year to tighten procedures and to enhance accountability. The Attorney General has appointed a high-level and broadly based Working Party under the Director of Public Prosecutions to conduct a comprehensive review of the system. We are determined to have a system that is cost-effective and accountable to the public. The Panel's Report will be referred to the Working Party which will give careful consideration to the recommendations in it. The Working Party will report to the AG by the end of the year. At that time, we shall report back to the Panel."

End/Friday, July 7, 1995

FS (Designate) calls on Japanese Foreign Minister

On the last leg of his three-month familiarisation tour in preparation for assuming office as the Financial Secretary in September. Financial Secretary (Designate) Mr Donald Tsang called on Mr Yohei Kono, Japanese Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, in Tokyo this (Friday) afternoon.

During his meeting with Minister Kono, Mr Tsang reaffirmed Hong Kong's commitment to promoting the liberalisation of trade.

"Hong Kong is looking forward to achieving a substantial outcome at the Osaka APEC Economic Leaders Meeting which proves APEC's credibility," he said.