Christine Loh, Lee Ka-chiu named undersecretaries on Leung team

Two heavyweights will join the government's leadership team, including veteran environmentalist Christine Loh Kung-wai and a top police officer, Lee Ka-chiu, the government announced on Wednesday.

The government also revealed that Yau Shing-mu, the former chief editor of a local newspaper, will remain as under secretary for transport and housing. Another two political assistants will remain in their posts, including the former special assistant to the Chief Executive's Office Ronald Chan Ngok-pang and Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, who will stay on as political assistant to the Secretary for Home Affairs.

Loh assumed office on Wednesday as the under secretary for the Environment. Lee and Yau will take office on Oct 1 and Sept 15 respectively.

Loh, 52, is a veteran environmentalist. She was a legislator from 1992 until 2000 and was chairwoman of the Panel on Environmental Affairs in the council for three years. After leaving the council, she co-founded the Civic Exchange, a local think tank, becoming CEO of the group until the present. In 1995, she co-founded the Society for Protection of the Harbour, an NGO that aims to protect Victoria Harbour from reclamation.

Loh said it was Leung Chun-ying that actively reached her for the job and she accepted the offer, provided that she can make public policies only if she is a part of the government. Having extended exchanges with the Chief Executive, Loh said she has faith in Leung's commitment to environmental policies.

Acknowledging it was not the best time for Leung's administration, Loh said the city was not expecting responsible parties to retreat in difficult times. "I am working for the environment of Hong Kong and it is possible that the kitchen is hot, but we get to work however hot it is."

Currently, Lee, 55, is deputy commissioner of police. During his 35 years of service, Lee held a variety of posts responsible for operational duties, including CID, Complaints Against Police, Policies Formulation, Planning and Development.

Yau, who was a journalist for 25 years, was appointed as under secretary for transport and housing between August 2008 and June 2012. Yau has edited and published books on various social issues such as youth problems and Hong Kong's economic prospects.

The appointments met with favorable response among the community.

Chief Secretary Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor welcomed the new appointments, saying all three under secretaries are experienced in their own sector.

A member of the screening committee for shortlisting the candidates of the under secretaries and political assistants, Bunny Chan Chung-bun, said Loh's work will complement the work of the Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing. Chan said the committee recommended about 20 candidates for under secretaries and 10 for political assistants.

Lau Kong-wah, DAB vice-chairman, said Lee was the right person to be named under secretary for security, noting Lee's ability to articulate clearly, and his keen knowledge of police operations.

Green groups welcomed Loh's appointment. The President of Green Sense Roy Tam Hoi-pang said Loh has shown perseverance in pursuing environmental protection and is well acquainted with the issues. Greenpeace issued a statement congratulating Loh on her appointment.

Sung Lap-kung, a commentator at City University of Hong Kong, said the appointment showed Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's sincerity to absorb people with various background to join the government.

Sung told China Daily that the broadened political scope will help to bring views from different sectors.

Besides the new appointments, five under secretaries were appointed, including Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Julia Leung Fung-yee, and the Under Secretary for Home Affairs Florence Hui Hiu-fai, who have been in office since July 1. The government will announce more political appointees later.

Kahon Chan also contributed.

stushadow@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/13/2012 page1)