Due to public concerns, the Audit Commission has opened files on Cyberport and the West Kowloon Cultural Development project but audit works have yet to start as there is insufficient data, its director Benjamin Tang says.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Tang said as the West Kowloon development has not started, while the property portion of the Cyberport project will be completed by 2007 and the overall public revenue generated is still an unknown, it is not feasible to conduct a value-for-money audit on the two projects at this stage.

He reiterated he will keep a close watch on these developments and will never retreat because of the involvement of secretary-level officials in the projects.

Mr Tang pointed out the criteria of selecting audit items include the amount of public money involved, the risk to the administration of not conducting an audit, sufficiency of data and the value in terms of lessons learned.

Disco Bay audit 'satisfactory'

He said the recent audit of the Discovery Bay development fully complied with these criteria, adding there was major change in the project's development concept and a number of complaints have been received.

Mr Tang said he is satisfied with the Housing, Planning & Lands Bureau's response to his audit report that in future, any changes to a land-use development plan have to seek prior approval from the Executive Council.

On the audit of the English School Foundation, Mr Tang said he is pleased to learn the concerned organisation, Education & Manpower Bureau and the community have all accepted his report and thanked the related parties for their assistance in the process.

Public acceptance on the rise

Talking about his work, Mr Tang said as the acceptance of the public on audit works has increased, his working relationships with the Legislative Council and government departments have become smoother following a teething period. A harmonious cooperation with his professional colleagues has built up, and the pressure has fallen.

He stressed he had already left the civil service when he accepted the appointment and planned to stay on until retirement. Given the Director of Audit's special status, he will not show bias in carrying out his work nor retreat because of pressure from high ranking officials.