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    The Government today (April 22) announced the appointment of Mr Nicholas Ng Wing-fui to succeed Mr Haider Barma as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission for a three-year term from May 1, 2005.

    Mr Ng was a veteran civil servant who retired at the Director of Bureau rank in July, 2003, after 33 years of sterling service. He first joined the Government in June, 1970, as an Assignment Officer, then transferred to the Executive Officer grade and to the Administrative Officer grade in August, 1971. Over his 33 years with the civil service, Mr Ng served in various policy bureaux and departments including the then Civil Service Branch and the Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service. He last served as the Secretary for Transport prior to his retirement.

    The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Joseph W P Wong, said he was pleased to welcome Mr Ng as the new Chairman of the Commission.

    "Mr Ng is well-suited for the appointment in view of his extensive abilities and experience, and deep understanding of the civil service," he said.

  "I am confident that he will be capable of providing the necessary leadership to the Commission in the fulfilment of its role to ensure fairness and impartiality in appointments, promotions and discipline in the civil service and in meeting new challenges ahead."

    "On behalf of the Administration, I would like to thank Mr Barma for his remarkable contribution to the Commission during his tenure since 1996. He has tendered invaluable advice to the Administration and as chairman, has led the commission in upholding the quality and integrity of the civil service."

    The commission is an independent statutory body set up under the Public Service Commission Ordinance. Its fundamental role is to advise the administration on appointments, promotions and discipline in the civil service. It currently comprises a chairman and seven non-official members, all of whom are appointed by the Chief Executive.

    Brief biographical notes on Mr Nicholas Ng Wing-fui are set out below:

Mr Nicholas Ng Wing-fui, GBS, JP

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    Aged 58, Mr Ng joined the Government in June, 1970. He served briefly in the former Assignment Officer grade and then the Executive Officer grade, before transferring to the Administrative Officer grade in August, 1971. He rose to the rank of Director of Bureau in January, 1995, prior to his retirement from the civil service in July, 2003.

    Over his 33 years with the civil service, Mr Ng served in a number of policy bureaux and departments. Senior positions held by Mr Ng included Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service (November 1985 - February 1987); Deputy Secretary for Trade and Industry (February-July 1987); Deputy Director of Information Services (July 1987-March 1989); Secretary-General, Standing Commission on Civil Service Salaries and Conditions of Service (May 1989-May 1991); Director of Administration (June 1991-January 1994) and Secretary for Constitutional Affairs (January 1994-August 1997). He was appointed a Principal Official of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government in July, 1997, and took up the position of Secretary for Transport in August, 1997, until his retirement.  

Ends/Friday, April 22, 2005

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