2 Macau meteorological officials held accountable for misconduct during Typhoon Hato

Two former officials of Macau's Meteorological and Geophysical Bureau have been held accountable for failing to exercise managerial responsibilities during Typhoon Hato, Macau Information Bureau quoted a special investigation committee as saying on Wednesday.

Macau's Chief Executive Chui Sai On, who commissioned the investigation, decided to enforce aggravated punishments, including retrospective dismissal from office of a former bureau director, and a 130-day suspension from current duties for a former deputy director.

The latter had already resigned from that management post and is now a staff member of the meteorological bureau, the Information Bureau said.

Since the former director in question had already retired from public service, the applicable penalty will be substituted by a four-year suspension of pension payments.

No further disciplinary actions against the two persons would be conducted under relevant regulations and laws, since their acts of misconduct during the Typhoon Hato had already been reviewed in the special investigation, the Information Bureau added.

Chui Sai On earlier authorized a special committee to investigate whether public departments and civil servants had acted appropriately during preparation for Typhoon Hato and related relief work in its aftermath.

The powerful Typhoon Hato battered Macau in August 2017, causing 10 people dead and resulting in heavy economic losses.