Following is the transcript of remarks by the Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, at a media session after attending Fight Drugs Together 2018 today (June 23):

Reporter: Many constructions of Leighton have many problems. Does that mean Leighton has some trust problems, or this company is no longer trustworthy?

Acting Chief Executive: As I said a few days ago at a function,  the Development Bureau has already asked Leighton (Leighton Contractors (Asia) Limited) to produce evidence and information, particularly about its works in respect of the Hung Hom MTR Station of the Shatin-Central Line. And also of course in respect of the excavation work, the support work in connection with the Exhibition Station, the Development Bureau will also ask them to provide the report within a certain time frame. So we are following up on the general performance of Leighton in respect of government contracts. Of course, the question of responsibility in respect of Hung Hom Station must be left to the independent statutory Commission of Inquiry that will be set up soon.

(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)

     The Acting Chief Executive, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, today (June 23) officiated at the opening ceremony of the large-scale anti-drug event Fight Drugs Together 2018, launching this year's territory-wide campaign against drugs.

     The event was jointly organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau, the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) to tie in with the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on June 26, appeal to the public to clearly understand the harms of drug abuse, and rally community support for a drug-free society.

     More than 1 300 young people and guests including students, members of Junior Police Call and uniformed groups and representatives of non-governmental organisations, district bodies and social services groups from the anti-drug sector and the education sector attended the event at MacPherson Stadium today. Supporting the theme of the event, the participants committed themselves to standing firm against drugs.

      Mr Cheung said, "The Government is committed to combat drug abuse problem. Our anti-drug policy is embodied in the 'five-pronged' strategy, namely preventive education and publicity, treatment and rehabilitation, legislation and law enforcement, external co-operation and research. At the same time, we have also strengthened preventive measures and further encouraged people with drug problems to seek help with a view to reducing drug-related offences. Over the past few years, Hong Kong has made substantial progress in its anti-drug efforts."

     To encourage young people to pursue healthy hobbies and enhance their ability to cope with adversity, teams of youngsters including uniformed marching bands, a freestyle football team and a juggling team, were invited to perform at the event. Artistes Steven Ma, Pakho Chau, AGA, Cherry Ngan, pop band ToNick, fencer Kaylin Hsieh and football freestyler Lyson Sze also joined the occasion and encouraged young people to develop a healthy lifestyle, stay away from drugs and pass on anti-drug messages to their friends.

     Concluding the event, Mr Cheung was joined by the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee and other guests, and led the participants to chant the anti-drug slogan, showing united anti-drug determination.

     A new TV Announcement in the Public Interest (API) was premiered at the ceremony, which highlights the fact that the drugs "Ice" and cocaine are addictive and can cause irreversible health damage including mania, depression and delirium. The API seeks to impress upon members of the public, especially the younger generation, that taking drugs may cost a person's life and injure family relationships, health, careers and education. It also encourages those with drug problems to seek help early. The new TV API and the corresponding radio API will be broadcast from tonight. Related advertisements will also be placed on public transportation networks, in entertainment venues and on popular websites, mobile applications and social media platforms.

     The event today marked the official launch of the territory-wide anti-drug campaign. A series of anti-drug programmes organised in partnership with RTHK and other media and anti-drug bodies will be rolled out from the summer holidays onwards. 

     Other officiating guests at today's event included the Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Sonny Au; the Acting Permanent Secretary for Security, Ms Mimi Lee; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Preventive Education and Publicity, Dr Tik Chi-yuen; the Chairman of the ACAN Sub-committee on Treatment and Rehabilitation, Dr Susan Fan; the Director of Broadcasting, Mr Leung Ka-wing; and the Commissioner for Narcotics, Ms Manda Chan.

                

The following is released for the Committee on Home-School Co-operation:
      
     The Committee on Home-School Co-operation (CHSC) held the 25th Anniversary Symposium cum Prize Presentation Ceremony today (June 23). With the theme of "Let's Realise Our Children's Dream" the event was aimed at promoting home-school co-operation by encouraging parents to communicate, listen and understand the views of their children.
      
     Officiating at the ceremony, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, presented certificates of appreciation to the Federations of Parent-Teacher Associations (FPTAs) of 18 districts in recognition of their contribution to home-school co-operation. The current Chairman of the SHC, Mr Henry Tong, and past chairpersons also attended the symposium. Keynote speakers included the first Chairman of the CSHC, Dr Tik Chi-yuen, as well as artist Sunny Chan and his wife. They shared their experience in promoting parent education and nurturing children.
      
     The Government attaches great importance to parent education. To further enhance the support of parent education, the Education Bureau (EDB) launched the website "Smart Parent Net" (www.parent.edu.hk) in early 2018 to enable parents to easily access useful information from different stakeholders and Government departments on supporting the physical and mental development of children.
      
     The content of "Smart Parent Net" is updated regularly. Parents who are concerned about their children's development should not miss recent video clips including "Children are always happy and laughing, Parental relationship is the most important" in which the Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry of Queen Mary Hospital, Dr Phyllis Chan, shares her professional knowledge; and also "Not to physically punish and not to scold! Raising good children!", in which Mr Kay Ho, an early childhood education instructor, and Mr Ernest Lee, a clinical psychotherapist, share their experience on children's discipline and parents' emotional management.
      
     In addition, to raise the awareness of parents, schools and the public on parent education, the EDB earlier organised the "Listen to Our Hearts" video production contest. Through video clips, students express what they think with a view to enhancing parent-child communication and understanding. The champion video clip of the secondary school section, "Dream of a Young Soccer Player", and that of the primary school section, "Talking Doll" have also been uploaded to "Smart Parent Net" for browsing.

     Hong Kong Customs yesterday (June 22) conducted an anti-piracy operation and detected a suspected case of illegal re-broadcasting of pay TV World Cup programmes on an Internet broadcasting platform. During the operation, Customs arrested two men aged 21 and 60 respectively. A batch of computer device with an estimated market value of about $20,000 was seized.

     Customs earlier received information alleging that a user of an Internet broadcasting platform has illegally re-broadcast pay TV World Cup programmes during the live broadcast of the World Cup matches. After an in-depth investigation with the assistance of the copyright owner, Customs took enforcement action yesterday and arrested two men in Tung Chung who were suspected to be related to the case.

     Investigation is ongoing and the arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation.

     During the World Cup matches, Customs will continue to work closely with copyright owners and take stringent enforcement actions against any form of infringing activity.

     Customs appeals to members of the public to respect intellectual property right and watch pay TV programmes through legitimate means. Offenders will be liable to criminal or civil sanctions.

     According to the Copyright Ordinance, a person commits an offence if the person sells or lets for hire a relevant device or provides relevant service for the purpose of a circumvention business. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $500,000 and imprisonment for four years.

     Members of the public may report any suspected infringing activities to the Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding the announcement yesterday on a cluster of patients infected with Respiratory Syncytial Virus in a male ward for intellectual disability, the spokesperson for Castle Peak Hospital made the following update today (June 23):

     One more 37-year-old patient and two staff members in the ward had presented with respiratory symptom. Appropriate viral test had been arranged for the patient and the test result was positive to Respiratory Syncytial Virus. The patient concerned is being treated under isolation with stable condition. The two staff members have recovered and resumed duty.

     Admission to the ward has been suspended and restricted visiting has been imposed. Infection control measures have already been stepped up according to established guidelines. All other patients in the ward are under close surveillance.

     The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.