Shiu Sin-por has steered the Central Policy Unit toward a more political role in recent months, according to reports. Photo: AFP, HKEJ
HK govt refuses to disclose details of key poll
The government has refused to reveal details of its own survey purporting to show that nearly 70 percent of Hong Kong people would support a central government-backed universal suffrage plan for 2017, Apple Daily reported Thursday.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying last month cited the survey by the Central Policy Unit (CPU), saying 69.9 percent of respondents will participate in the 2017 election to elect Hong Kong’s new leader under the framework proposed by the National People’s Congress, the report said.
In a written request, accountancy lawmaker Kenneth Leung sought details of the survey including the identity of the polling agency, the sample size and methodology, as well as what questions were asked.
Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Raymond Tam replied that the poll was taken by a third party and was intended for internal use only.
Established in 1989, CPU provides advice on policy matters to the three highest government officials — the chief executive, chief secretary and financial secretary.
However, under its present chief, Shiu Sin-por, who took over in 2012, it has largely served a political purpose, the report said.
In recent weeks, it underwent change to counter a student-led democracy protest and monitor media reports, sources were quoted as saying.
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http://www.ejinsight.com/20141023-hk-govt-refuses-to-disclose-details-of-key-poll/
