**************************************************
The Government today (December 2) announced the re-appointment of Mr Raymond Sears as chairman and Mr Kenneth Ho King-man as a deputy chairman of the Appeal Board on Public Meetings and Processions.
Three incumbent members, Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Mr Gerard Chung Wai-hung and Mr Clement Tao Kwok-lau, have also been re-appointed as members to the appeal board.
In addition, the Chief Executive has appointed the following nine new members to the appeal board:
Ms Chan Ching-fan
Ms Cynthia Chung Wing-suet
Mr Frederick Kan Ka-chong
Ms Pearl Lam Po-ling
Mr Andy Lam Siu-wing
Ms Juling Ngai
Mr David Pong Chun-yee
Mr Thong Keng-yee
Mr Yung Ching-tat
The appointments, made under section 43 of the Public Order Ordinance (POO) and gazetted on December 2, 2005, are for a two-year term with effect from December 22, 2005.
The Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, expressed his gratitude to nine outgoing members for their valuable contributions to the work of the board. The outgoing members are Mr Thomas Chan Siu-kam, Dr Chiu Chun-bong, Mr Ho Chun-tung, Mr Patrick Lai Shu-ho, Dr Michael Lee Yuk-kwan, Miss Winnie Tsui Pui-man, Mr Justein Wong Chun, Mr Wu Man-yung and Dr Natalis Yuen Chung-lau.
"The appeal board is responsible for considering appeals against a prohibition in respect of a public meeting under section 9, an objection in respect of a public procession under section 14, or the conditions imposed or amended by the Commissioner of Police under section 11 or section 15 of the POO," a government spokesman said.
"It is also empowered to confirm, reverse or vary the decision being appealed against," the spokesman said.
The appeal board comprises a chairman, two deputy chairmen and 13 members, all of whom are non-officials. Mr Vincent To Wai-keung is the other serving deputy chairman and Mr Anthony Chow Wing-kin a serving member.
Ends/Friday, December 2, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:01
NNNN