Latest news with #OfficeofTheOmbudsman
HKFP
5 days ago
- HKFP
Hong Kong government watchdog investigates amenities in countryside amid city's tourism push
Hong Kong's government watchdog has announced an investigation into amenities in the city's countryside, an effort to boost tourism amid complaints about hygiene and insufficient facilities in some nature spots. The Office of The Ombudsman said on Thursday that the probe is intended to align with the government's efforts to develop green tourism and the concept that 'tourism is everywhere' in the city – a notion put forward by Beijing's top official on Hong Kong affairs, Xia Baolong. The watchdog said it noted news reports of inadequate toilets and poor hygiene conditions in some countryside areas. Information on transport, water filling locations and toilet locations are also said to be lacking, the watchdog said in a statement. The Ombudsman added that it has also 'received complaints about the slow progress of countryside facility maintenance and insufficient supporting resources, such as delays in rain shelter repairs and insufficient publicity for visitor centres.' As part of the investigation, the Ombudsman will examine the operations of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), as well as other departments responsible for managing country parks and ancillary facilities. The government watchdog's announcement came after the Labour Day Golden Week holiday earlier this month, when the city saw large crowds of tourists visiting the countryside, including Grass Island and the MacLehose Trail. Both places are widely featured in posts about Hong Kong travel tips on Xiaohongshu, a mainland Chinese social media app. In Sai Kung, the High Island Geo Trail saw over 3,000 tourists a day, most of whom came from mainland China, news outlets reported. Tourists in some countryside areas waited a long time for minibuses and some complained about inconvenient transport arrangements, according to local media. Jack Chan, the Ombudman, said he himself observed garbage accumulation and traffic congestion during the recent Labour Day holiday. Established in 1989, the Office of The Ombudsman is the city's independent watchdog for probing the government. Controversies emerged with the watchdog earlier in May after it was found to have removed decades' worth of annual and investigative reports, as well as other documents, from its website, saying the move is for 'more effective website management.'
RTHK
19-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Reports removed to ensure accuracy: Ombudsman
Reports removed to ensure accuracy: Ombudsman The Office of The Ombudsman says old reports may contain information that is "misleading". File photo: RTHK The Office of The Ombudsman said on Monday that it has removed investigation reports that are 'no longer up to date' from its website, saying that old reports could contain information that misleads the public. In the statement, the Ombudsman said it reviews content on its website from time to time to ensure its accuracy and relevance, noting "only [reports] from the past three years" are being retained on its website following the latest update. It said people can apply for information that is not available on its website by completing a form online, email or in writing, starting on Tuesday. The office added that it had also removed old reports and only retained those from the last decade during its previous website update in 2022. The 'Code on Access to Information', a category which listed out complaints filed by citizens was also removed from the website. Writing on social media on Monday, lawmaker Gary Zhang described the move as a step backwards, saying it is a key responsibility of the office to maintain transparency. 'If the Ombudsman relaxes its own standards, this will send the wrong message to officials it monitors. I really don't hope to see this kind of domino effect, which is a step backwards in being transparent and open,' he wrote. In a letter to Ombudsman Jack Chan, social welfare lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen also expressed concern and requested a thorough explanation. Tik said the Ombudsman's duty to monitor government departments is based on openness and transparency. He urged the office to restore all removed reports to its website and bring back the 'Code on Access to Information'.
