At a disciplinary hearing held on 21 November 2000 and subsequently at a disciplinary (review) hearing held on 29 May 2001 (collectively, the "Disciplinary Hearings"), the Listing Committee of the Exchange (the "Listing Committee") conducted hearings into the conduct of, among others, the Company and Mr. Y.K. Leung (former executive director of the Company, who resigned on 18 January 2000).
The Company was required by the Listing Agreement to send to its shareholders its annual report and audited accounts within five months of the end of its financial year, and to publish its interim results announcement within three months of the half-year. For the financial year ended 31 March 1999, the Companys annual report and audited accounts were sent only on 7 December 2000, some 15 months late; and for the half year ended 30 September 1999, the interim report was published on 31 May 2000, some five months late. The delays had been the subject of a series of seven announcements by the Company between the period 18 August 1999 to 30 May 2000.
The Disciplinary Hearings were conducted into the following issues:
The Company and Mr. Y.K. Leung acknowledged that the delays in sending to the shareholders the annual report and audited accounts and publishing the interim results constituted a breach by the Company of the Listing Agreement.
The Listing Committee attaches great importance to compliance with these provisions, which are designed to ensure prompt dissemination of essential financial information on the affairs of the Company to shareholders and the public.
The Listing Committee concluded, among other things:
Accordingly, the Exchange hereby publicly criticises Mr. Y.K. Leung for his breach of the Directors Undertaking in connection with the said breaches of the Listing Agreement.
For the avoidance of doubt the Exchange confirms that this public statement which involves criticism applies only to the former director named herein and not to the Company or any other past or present member of the Board of Directors of the Company.