The members are Identification Bureau Station Sergeant Mak Chi-keung, Personnel Wing Supervisor of Typing Services Wong Yuen Shuit-ying, and New Territories North Regional Headquarters Assistant Clerical Officer Yeung Hung-por.

After the presentation ceremony, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, congratulated the award recipients at a cocktail reception.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Wong said a decision was taken this year to grant a travel award to SCS's Commendation recipients, provided that they satisfy the basic eligibility criteria under the Long and Meritorious Service Travel Award Scheme but have never received a travel award before.

He explained: "This new measure aims at giving deserving officers added recognition under the SCS's Commendation Scheme and motivating civil servants to strive for outstanding performance.

"Recipients of the 2004 SCS's Commendation, likewise, are also eligible for a travel award this year."

Congratulating the awardees who come from 34 departments, Mr Wong thanked them for their contributions to the Government, their departments and the community.

"In addition to receiving commendations, officers who display outstanding performance also stand a good chance of being promoted to higher positions. For example, in the first seven months this year, a total of 1,255 officers in 86 grades, including junior members, have been promoted," he noted.

Committing itself to upholding high standards of performance and conduct in the civil service, the Administration introduced the SCS's Commendation Scheme last year to enhance performance management and other commendation systems.

Through the scheme, the SCS will, on behalf of the Administration, pay recognition to civil servants selected for their consistently outstanding performance.

SCS's Award winners, (from left) Wong Yuen Shuit-ying, Yeung Hung-por and Mak Chi-keung, get a pat on the back from Acting Commissioner Tang King-shing