Former SMG Chief appeals gov’t penalty

Fong Soi Kun

The former director of the Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau (SMG), Fong Soi Kun, has submitted an appeal to the Court of Second Instance (TSI) against the decision made by the Chief Executive (CE) regarding his actions during Typhoon Hato.

Fong and his deputy director Florence Leong were subjected to a disciplinary procedure over the decision to raise weather warnings in the lead- up to Typhoon Hato.

After a long procedure, the CE decided to hand down the maximum possible penalty allowed by the Civil Servants Regulation – dismissal from office – a decision that had no real consequence, since Fong had already retired, except for the suspension of his retirement pension for four years.

The CE announced the penalties decided for the two heads of the Bureau on April 11. This was only a few days after the official gazette said Fong would have been eligible for a retirement pension of approximately MOP80,000 per month, based on Fong’s 35 years of service in the SMG.

At the same time, Leong was also found guilty of neglecting her duties and given a 130-day suspension from current duties.