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The State Council has, on the nomination and recommendation of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Donald Tsang, approved the appointment of Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu, Deputy Director of Immigration, as the Director of Immigration, and the removal of Mr Lai Tung-kwok, incumbent Director of Immigration, from the Principal Official post. Mr Peh will take up the new appointment with effect from April 7, 2008, when Mr Lai will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after serving the Immigration Department for more than 34 years.
Commenting on the appointment of Mr Peh Yun-lu, the Chief Executive said, "Mr Peh has served in the Immigration Department for 30 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in the operations and management of the department. Over the years, Mr Peh has made great efforts in enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the department. I am confident that he will lead the department in meeting the challenges ahead."
Speaking on the retirement of Mr Lai Tung-kwok, the Chief Executive said, "Since taking up the appointment as Director of Immigration in July 2002, Mr Lai has put in commendable efforts in ensuring effective immigration control and enforcement of the immigration laws, leading the Immigration Department to become one of the most efficient and effective immigration services in the world. We sincerely wish Mr Lai a happy retirement."
Biographical notes on Mr Lai Tung-kwok and Mr Peh Yun-lu are provided below:
Mr Lai Tung-kwok
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Aged 56. Mr Lai joined the Immigration Department as an Assistant Immigration Officer in December 1973. He was promoted to Immigration Officer in September 1980, to Senior Immigration Officer in September 1986, to Chief Immigration Officer in February 1990, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in May 1992, to Principal Immigration Officer in October 1995 and to Senior Principal Immigration Officer in April 1997. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Immigration in February 1999 and to Deputy Director of Immigration in January 2001. He assumed the post of Director of Immigration in July 2002.
Mr Lai has served in many different positions during his 34 years of service with the Immigration Department. Between 1996 and 2000, he served as Assistant Director (Special Assignment), Assistant Director (Visa and Policies), Assistant Director (Liaison and Support) and Assistant Director (Personal Documentation). He served as Deputy Director (Administration and Operation) from December 2000. He took up the post of Director of Immigration in July 2002.
During his career in the Immigration Department, Mr Lai has received many awards. He was awarded the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medal in 1992, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 1998, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal with First Clasp in 1999, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 2001, as well as the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal with Second and Third Clasps in 2004 and 2007 respectively.
Mr Peh Yun-lu
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Aged 52. Mr Peh joined the Immigration Department as an Immigration Officer in April 1978. He was promoted to Senior Immigration Officer in August 1984, to Chief Immigration Officer in February 1991, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in October 1995 and to Principal Immigration Officer in June 2000. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Immigration in June 2004. He assumed the post of Deputy Director of Immigration in September 2006.
Mr Peh has held a variety of posts in the Immigration Department. He served as Assistant Director (Visa and Policies), Assistant Director (Control) and Assistant Director (Management and Support) from August 2002. He took up the present post of Deputy Director of Immigration in September 2006.
During his career in the Immigration Department, Mr Peh has received many awards. He was awarded the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medal in 1996, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 1998, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal with First Clasp in 2003 and the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 2006.
Ends/Friday, March 28, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:45
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