The Government today (May 29) announced the re-appointment of the incumbent Chairman and four members to the Independent Police Complaints Council (IPCC). The appointment of Chairman will be from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021; and the appointment of four members will be from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2022.
 
     Dr Anthony Francis Neoh has been re-appointed as Chairman. The re-appointed members are Mr Clement Chan Kam-wing, Mr Wilson Kwong Wing-tsuen, Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen and Mr Roland Wong Ka-yeung. 
 
     The appointments are made by the Chief Executive according to section 5 of the IPCC Ordinance (Cap. 604). 
 
     The Secretary for Security, Mr John Lee, said, "The IPCC's work in coping with many new challenges brought by the ever changing and complex social circumstances is no small feat. I would like to thank Dr Neoh for his dedication to the work of the IPCC over the past two years, and also for accepting, notwithstanding personal considerations, the re-appointment for another year until the end of May 2021."
 
     Mr Lee said that the Government was most grateful for the invaluable contributions of the IPCC in ensuring a fair, effective and transparent two-tier police complaints system in Hong Kong. The Government would continue to give full support to the IPCC in discharging its statutory monitoring functions and uphold a fair and impartial police complaints system.
 
     The IPCC, established under the IPCC Ordinance, is an independent statutory body responsible for monitoring and reviewing the investigation of complaints against members of the Police Force. The IPCC Ordinance provides a statutory basis for the IPCC's role and power and the two-tier police complaints system. It also imposes a statutory duty on the Police to comply with the IPCC's requirements. The IPCC comprises a Chairman, three Vice-chairmen and 22 non-official members.

     The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Friday, May 29, 2020 is 108.9 (down 0.3 against yesterday's index).

     The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (May 29) investigating a suspected case of food poisoning related to the consumption of wild mushrooms, and urged the public not to collect and eat wild mushrooms from parks or the countryside.

     A 57-year-old female patient developed abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea about two hours after consuming mushrooms at home today. She sought medical attention at the Accident and Emergency Department of Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and was admitted to the hospital for further management on the same day. The patient is now in a stable condition.

     Initial investigations revealed that the patient had consumed wild mushrooms picked near Fu Heng Estate, Tai Po yesterday (May 28). An investigation is ongoing.

     "Mushroom poisoning is generally acute. Common presentations include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain appearing shortly after ingestion. Depending on the mushroom species, patients may also have other symptoms such as profuse sweating, hallucinations, coma or other neurological symptoms as well as liver failure. Death may result in severe cases," a CHP spokesman said.

     "We advise the public to buy mushrooms from reputable and reliable suppliers and not to buy mushroom products which may be mixed with unknown species. Members of the public should not pick wild mushrooms for consumption as it is difficult to distinguish edible mushroom species from inedible ones. Mixing of edible species with inedible or poisonous species of mushrooms will not dilute toxicity. Cooking in most cases does not destroy toxicity," the spokesman added.

     "If mushroom poisoning is suspected, the patient should seek immediate medical attention and bring along any available remnant for identification," the spokesman said.

     The Lands Department announced today (May 29) that demand notes for Government rent in excess of $100 per annum for the half year ending June 24 in respect of properties subject to the Government Leases Ordinance (Chapter 40) and certain other properties have been issued.

     Payers can settle Government rent through various electronic means including autopay, bank automated teller machines (ATMs), e-Cheque/e-Cashier's Order, payment by phone service (PPS), and bill payment services provided by banks and PPS on the Internet. Payment may also be made in person and in cash at designated convenience stores. For details, please visit the Treasury's website at www.try.gov.hk.

     Payment may be made by sending a crossed cheque to PO Box No. 28000, Gloucester Road Post Office, Hong Kong, or in person to any post office. Please ensure sufficient mailing time and postage to make the delivery in order. Underpaid mail will be rejected. For locations of post offices and their opening hours, please call Hongkong Post's enquiry hotline at 2921 2222 or visit its website at www.hongkongpost.hk.

     Government rent payers who have not received their demand notes should enquire at the Government Rent and Premium Unit of the Lands Department at 1/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, or call 2231 3033.

     Purchasers of properties are strongly advised to instruct their solicitors to ensure that Government rent has been paid to date at the time of purchase. Enquiries on outstanding accounts can be made at 2231 3033 or email to landsd@landsd.gov.hk. An enquiry fee is payable for each property if a written confirmation of an accounts position is needed.

     The Government today (May 29) announced the appointment of the Chairperson and four new members, as well as the re-appointment of five members, to the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals (COTAP). 
 
     Professor Alvin Leung Seung-ming has been appointed as the Chairperson of COTAP and the four new members are Ms Chan Yuk-yin, Dr Cheung Kwok-wah, Mr Joseph Kung Kwong-pui and Mr Franky Poon Kai-cheung.
 
     In addition, five serving members, namely Mr Eugene Fong Yick-jin, Ms Hui Ha-mei, Mr George Leung Wing-hung, Mr Liu Ah-chuen and Mr Leo Sung Po-wa, have been re-appointed. 
 
     The appointments will take effect on June 1, 2020, for a term of two years.
 
     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "We are pleased to have Professor Leung, a renowned scholar, as the Chairperson of COTAP. Professor Leung is the Dean of Education of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and is currently a member of the Education Commission and the Family Council. With his expert knowledge and profound experience in professional development of teachers and principals, we are confident that Professor Leung will lead COTAP in advising the Government on matters related to professional development of teachers and principals with a view to enhancing the quality of education in Hong Kong."
 
     Mr Yeung took the opportunity to thank the outgoing Chairperson of COTAP, Dr Carrie Willis. "She has been the Chairperson of COTAP for seven years since its establishment in 2013. Under her remarkable leadership, COTAP has launched the overarching project of T-excel@hk and its various new initiatives, and advised on the implementation of the series of recommendations by the Task Force on Professional Development of Teachers."
 
     He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the outgoing members, Professor Hau Kit-tai, Dr Kam Pok-man and Dr Kan Kar-yin, for their valuable contributions to COTAP in the past years.
 
     COTAP is an advisory body which advises the Government on policies, practices and measures relating to the professional development of the teaching profession at different stages of professional growth. It may, where necessary, conduct educational research and professional development programmes for the teaching profession.
 
     The new COTAP membership list, effective from June 1, 2020, is as follows:
 
Chairperson
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Professor Alvin Leung Seung-ming
 
Members
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Ms Carmen Chan Ka-mun
Ms Sylvia Chan May-kuen
Ms Chan Yuk-yin
Dr Cheung Kwok-wah
Ms Hui Ha-mei
Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing
Mr Joseph Kung Kwong-pui
Ms Leung Kin-yi
Mr George Leung Wing-hung
Mr Liu Ah-chuen
Mr Franky Poon Kai-cheung
Mr Leo Sung Po-wa
Mr Teddy Tang Chun-keung
Mr Herbert Chia Pun-kok
Mr Tony Choi Siu-chow
Mr Benny Ding Pak-hei
Mr Eugene Fong Yick-jin
 
Ex-officio member
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Deputy Secretary for Education (3)