***********************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (October 22) announced the appointment of two Under Secretaries under the political appointment system as from November 1.
Mr Lai Tung-kwok will assume the position of Under Secretary for Security, while Miss Adeline Wong Ching-man will become Under Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.
"The appointment of these two Under Secretaries has gone through a rigorous process and reflects the collective decision of the Appointment Committee," Mr Tsang said. With the Chief Executive in the chair, the Appointment Committee comprises the Chief Secretary for Administration, Financial Secretary, Secretary for Justice, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs and Director of the Chief Executive's Office.
The Appointment Committee has paid due regard to the established principles of meritocracy, personal integrity, commitment to serve and the need to appoint candidates most fitting for the jobs. "We are fully confident that Mr Lai and Miss Wong would be able to excel in their respective Under Secretary positions," the Chief Executive noted.
Mr Lai and Miss Wong will be appointed from November 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012.
The remuneration for Mr Lai will be pegged at 75% of that of a Director of Bureau and Miss Wong, 70%. Reflecting the 5.38% voluntary pay cut which the Chief Executive and his political team have volunteered since July 1, 2009 and which Mr Lai and Miss Wong have also agreed to, the monthly pay for Mr Lai will be $211,560 and for Miss Wong, $197,455.
Mr Lai and Miss Wong are Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region with no right of abode in any foreign country.
The Chief Executive is confident that the new appointees will work closely as a team with the Bureau Secretaries and the highly professional civil servants in implementing his policy blueprint and agenda.
The biographical notes of Mr Lai and Miss Wong are as follows:
Mr Lai Tung-kwok
-----------------
Aged 57. Mr Lai joined the Immigration Department in December 1973 and was promoted to the post of Director of Immigration in July 2002. During his 34 years of service with the Immigration Department, Mr Lai had served in many different positions and headed branches dealing with visa and policies, personal documentation, liaison and support, etc. Mr Lai ceased active service in April 2008 and retired in April 2009.
Miss Adeline Wong Ching-man
----------------------------
Aged 45. Miss Wong joined the Administrative Service in November 1990 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B in April 2008. Miss Wong has served in various bureaux and departments including the Office of the Chief Secretary for Administration, the former Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau, the former Trade Department, the former Trade and Industry Branch and the former Economic Services Branch. Miss Wong is currently the Deputy Director of Home Affairs.
Ends/Thursday, October 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 14:30
NNNN
