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Austin Chiu

Ex-chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan did not have any "concrete business" to do over a period of nearly two years before becoming the city's No2 official, his former personal assistant said in court yesterday.
Yesterday's hearing gave the public a glimpse into the life of Hui between his exit in August 2003 as Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority managing director and his appointment as chief secretary in June 2005.
"Mr Hui did not come to the office frequently. Maybe just several hours a day," prosecution witness Wilma Yuen Wing-man testified at a high-level corruption trial involving her former boss of 31/2 years. "I was not specifically aware of any formal or concrete business."
Yuen was referring to the office of Top Faith Enterprises, a company Hui set up at One IFC. In between the two public posts, he hired Yuen and a driver.
The court earlier heard he became a consultant to Sun Hung Kai Properties in March 2004.
Hui allegedly took tens of millions of dollars from SHKP co-chairmen Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong and Raymond Kwok Ping-luen to be the developer's "eyes and ears" in the government.
At the office, Hui would go into his room, read newspapers and magazines, and do some writing, Yuen said. "Occasionally he would ask me to connect one or two phone calls for him asking some others to go out for lunch."
She said he had phone conversations with the two Kwoks, and on rare occasions with their elder brother Walter Kwok Ping-sheung.
Asked about her work, Yuen said: "Since Mr Hui was a steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, very often he would treat his guest to watch the horse racing. I would help in those matters. Say, for example, making arrangements for banquets and sending out invitations."
Hui, 66, faces eight charges related to bribery and misconduct in public office.
Thomas Kwok, 62, faces one charge of conspiracy to offer an advantage to Hui and two counts of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. Raymond Kwok, 61, faces four charges, including one with Hui of furnishing false information. SHKP executive director Thomas Chan Kui-yuen, 67, and former Hong Kong stock exchange official Francis Kwan Hung-sang, 63, each face two charges. All have pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.


Rafael Hui had no 'concrete business' to do before chief-secretary job, court told

Rafael Hui Si-yan at the High Court in Admiralty. Photo: David Wong

News

Hong Kong

No 'concrete business' was apparent before chief secretary job came along


A former personal assistant to ex-chief secretary Rafael Hui said in court that he did not have "concrete business" to do during a period of nearly two years before becoming the city's No 2 government official.
