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The Government announced today (Monday) that the Central People's Government has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region, made the following appointments of Principal Officials:
* Dr E K Yeoh, Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, will succeed Mrs Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching as Secretary for Health and Welfare upon Mrs Fok's retirement in September 1999;
* Mr Alan LAI Nin, Director-General of Trade, will succeed Mrs Lily YAM KWAN Pui-ying as Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption on July 15, 1999; and
* Mr LEE Shing-see, Director of Territory Development, will succeed Mr KWONG Hon-sang as Secretary for Works upon Mr Kwong's retirement on August 7, 1999;
The Government also announced the following senior postings:
* Mrs Lily Yam will head a task force on re-organisation of municipal services with effect from July 12, 1999;
* Mrs Rita LAU NG Wai-lan, currently Deputy Secretary for Information Technology and Broadcasting, will take over from Miss Elaine CHUNG Lai-kwok as Director of Urban Services on July 26, 1999; and
* Mr LEUNG Chin-man, Deputy Secretary for Housing, will take over from Dr CHOI Yu-leuk as Director of Buildings on August 26, 1999 upon Dr Choi's retirement.
Speaking on the appointment of Dr E K Yeoh, the Chief Executive Mr TUNG Chee Hwa and the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Anson Chan said: "As Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority, Dr E K Yeoh has a deep understanding of the public medical services in Hong Kong, rich experience in public administration and good professional knowledge on health services. We are confident that he will lead the Health and Welfare Bureau in developing policies to promote the health care and welfare services of the community."
"As a veteran Administrative Officer, Mr Alan Lai has extensive experience in public administration. He also has a good understanding of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, a strong sense of justice and an admirable sense of responsibility. I am confident that he will lead the Commission to continue its good work in creating a clean and corruption-free environment for the community."
They also said: "Having served in various works departments over the years, Mr LEE Shing-see has a good understanding of the policies, development and standards of Government's works. He is most suited to take up the post of Secretary for Works."
Speaking on the new appointment for Mrs Yam, they said: "Mrs Yam will fill a supernumerary post to follow up the consultant's report on review of district organisations. She will examine how the work on food safety, environmental hygiene and environmental protection should be re-distributed. With extensive experience in public management, she is well suited for the job."
Mr KWONG Hon-sang and Mrs Katherine Fok will be retiring in early August and September respectively. Both the Chief Executive and the Chief Secretary for Administration commended the two retiring officers for their dedicated service to the public over the years, and for their sterling efforts in promoting the continuous development and stability of Hong Kong. "We express our deep gratitude to the two Directors of Bureau for their contributions to policy development and implementation over the years. Their enthusiasm in serving the community, positive attitude towards work and distinguished performance have set a good example for the civil service."
Speaking on the new postings for Mrs Rita Lau and Mr LEUNG Chin-man, the Secretary for the Civil Service Mr W K Lam said: "Both officers have rich experience in public administration and strong leadership skills. I have full confidence in them leading the two departments, and firmly believe that they will continue to promote the work of the two departments and enhance the services to the community."
Mr W K Lam also thanked the outgoing Director of Buildings Dr CHOI Yu-leuk for his service over the years. He said : "Throughout his thirty-nine years of service in the Government, Dr Choi has contributed to Government's work on infrastructure development and promoting building safety."
According to a government spokesman, a decision will be made on the successors to the posts of Director-General of Trade and Director of Territory Development. The appointments will be announced separately.
Following are the biographical notes on the officers:
Dr E K Yeoh
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Aged 53 and currently Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority. Before joining the Hospital Authority, Dr Yeoh served in the Government for 19 years. He first joined the civil service as an intern in 1971 and was appointed as Medical and Health Officer in July 1972. He became Consultant Physician in 1979.
In December 1990, Dr Yeoh joined the newly established Hospital Authority as Director of Operations overseeing and co-ordinating the operations of public hospitals in Hong Kong. In January 1994, he was appointed the first Chief Executive of the Hospital Authority.
Mr Alan LAI Nin
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Aged 48. Mr Lai joined the Government in 1974, serving initially as a Judicial Clerk and later as an Executive Officer. He became an Administrative Officer in October 1976 and rose to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 1997.
Mr Lai has served in a number of policy bureaux and departments including the former New Territories Administration, the former Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils, Trade Department, the former Chief Secretary's Office and Finance Branch. From 1984 to 1987, he was seconded to the ICAC where he served as Assistant Director of the Community Relations Department.
Positions held by Mr Lai in recent years include: Deputy Director-General of Trade (1991 - 1993); Deputy Director of Administration (1993 - 1995); Vice-chairman of the AO Recruitment Board (March - May 1995) and Deputy Secretary for the Treasury (May 1995 - May 1996). He took up his present post of Director-General of Trade in July 1996.
Mr LEE Shing-see
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Aged 57. Mr Lee joined the Government in September 1964 as an Apprentice Engineer. He was promoted to the rank of Principal Government Engineer in January 1992 and to his present rank of Director of Territory Development in February 1995.
Over the years, Mr Lee has served in the headquarters of the Territory Development Department and its regional Project Offices. He has also served in other works offices where he held positions including Project Manager of the New Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (1992 - 1994) and Deputy Secretary for Works (Feb - August 1994). He has held the position of Director of Territory Development since August 1994.
Mrs Lily YAM KWAN Pui-ying
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Aged 52. Mrs Yam joined the Administrative Service in July 1969 and was promoted to her present rank of Director of Bureau in March 1999.
Over the years, Mrs Yam has served in various government offices and statutory bodies, including Education and Manpower Branch, Civil Service Branch, Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, Central Policy Unit, Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service and Transport Department. She left the civil service between 1973 to early 1984 for personal reasons. During this period, she served in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) for nine years.
The positions held by Mrs Yam in recent years include: Secretary to the ICAC Review Committee (March 1994 - Jan 1995); Chairman of the Administrative Officer Recruitment Board (early 1995); Commissioner for Transport (July 1995 - March 1997). She was appointed to the post of Commissioner, ICAC in April 1997 and was appointed to become a Principal Official of the SAR Government in July 1997.
Mrs Katherine FOK LO Shiu-ching
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Aged 58. Mrs Fok joined the Administrative Service of the Government in September 1962 and was promoted to her present rank of Director of Bureau in June 1996.
Mrs Fok has served in the Government for over 36 years. She has taken up positions in different offices including Labour Department, Social Welfare Department, the former Councils Branch, the former General Duties Branch, Home Affairs Department and Urban Services Department. She had also served as Secretary-General for the Office of the Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service. From 1983 to 1987, Mrs Fok was seconded to the ICAC where she served as Director of the Community Relations Department.
Mrs Fok was Commissioner for Labour from 1992 to 1994. She took up her present post of Secretary for Health and Welfare in September 1994 and was appointed Principal Official of the SAR Government in July 1997.
Mr KWONG Hon-sang
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Aged 60. Mr Kwong joined the Government as an Apprentice Engineer in 1963. He was promoted to the rank of Principal Government Engineer in 1992 and Director of Highways in December 1993. He took up his present post of Secretary for Works in October 1995 and was promoted to his present rank of Director of Bureau in April 1997. In July 1997, he was appointed Principal Official of the SAR Government.
Mr Kwong reached the retirement age of 60 last year, and his service was extended for one year because of service need. He will proceed on pre-retirement leave on 7 August 1999.
Mrs Rita LAU NG Wai-lan
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Aged 46. Mrs Lau joined the Administrative Service of the Government in October 1976 and rose to her present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade A in January 1999.
Over the years, Mrs Lau has served in various bureaux and departments including, inter alia, Social Welfare Department, Education Department, the former City and New Territories Administration and Civil Service Branch. She was Commissioner for Television and Entertainment Licensing from 1992 to 1995. In October 1995, she became Deputy Secretary in the former Recreation and Culture Branch where she was responsible for broadcasting and entertainment policies. She continues to be responsible for this portfolio in the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau established in April 1998 as Deputy Secretary (Information Technology and Broadcasting).
Dr CHOI Yu-leuk
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Aged 60, Dr Choi first joined the civil service as an Apprentice Engineer in August 1960. He was promoted to Principal Government Engineer in January 1992 and to his present rank of Director of Buildings in July 1996.
For the past 39 years, Dr Choi has served in various areas including, inter alia, drainage services, road infrastructure, territorial development planning and new town development. He has been Director of Buildings since January 1996.
Mr LEUNG Chin-man
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Aged 53, Mr Leung first joined the Immigration Department of the Government in October 1966. He joined the Administrative Service in October 1976 and was promoted to his present rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in January 1997.
Mr Leung has served in various government offices including, inter alia, Home Affairs Department, Security Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration and Finance Branch. He was seconded to the ICAC as Director of Community Relations in 1988-91. He was Deputy Secretary for Constitutional Affairs in 1991-94 and Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs in Toronto in 1994-97. He has been Deputy Secretary for Housing since September 1997.
End/June 28, 1999
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