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The Government announced today (March 9) the appointment of Mr Alan Lai Nin as the new Ombudsman for a term of five years commencing April 1, 2009.
The appointment is made by the Chief Executive under the provisions of The Ombudsman Ordinance (Cap. 397). An open recruitment exercise was conducted to select the new Ombudsman and a Selection Board was appointed to advise on the recruitment.
Mr Lai, aged 57, joined the Government in 1974, serving initially as a Judicial Clerk and later as an Executive Officer. He joined the Administrative Service in 1976. He has worked in various bureaux and departments, including the Home Affairs Department and the former Office of Unofficial Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils. He was the Director-General of Trade from July 1996 to July 1999, and Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption, from July 1999 to June 2002. He was the Permanent Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury (Treasury) from July 2002 to October 2007.
Commenting on the appointment, the Chief Executive said, "Mr Lai has some 30 years of experience in public administration and proven management skills. I am confident that under his leadership, the Office of the Ombudsman will continue to serve as an independent and impartial channel for redress in the community."
The term of office of the incumbent, Ms Alice Tai, will expire on March 31, 2009. In paying tribute to the outgoing Ombudsman, the Chief Executive said, "Ms Tai has demonstrated able leadership and strong commitment to the work of the Office of the Ombudsman in the last 10 years. During her term of office, the Ombudsman has proved to be a valuable and effective means of redress for citizens' complaints. Her contribution in handling public complaints against maladministration and improving the quality of public administration is widely recognised by the community.
"During Ms Tai's tenure, the Ombudsman's Office has reached out to outside jurisdictions to keep itself abreast of the latest international developments. That Ms Tai is currently Secretary to the Boards of both the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the Asian Ombudsman Association bears clear testament to her outstanding achievements as The Ombudsman. At the same time, The Ombudsman has also carried out regular exchanges with the Mainland. Such exchanges have no doubt offered ample opportunities for better understanding and mutual benefit."
The Chief Executive also expressed his personal thanks for the exemplary service Ms Tai rendered as The Ombudsman and wished her every success in her future endeavours.
The Selection Board appointed to advise on the recruitment was chaired by Mr Henry Fan with Dr Marvin Cheung, Mr Michael Sze, and the Director of Administration, Miss Jennifer Mak, as members.
Ends/Monday, March 9, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:30
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