Why are custom officers not pleased with Roy Tang Yun-kwong (鄧忍光) appointed as Commissioner of Customs and Excise?
No Joy for Roy.
Customs officers may not be very pleased as they were informed that another – the sixth since handover – administrative officer (AO), Roy Tang Yun-kwong (鄧忍光), was appointed as Commissioner of Customs and Excise. The Hong Kong Customs Officers Union and the Association of Customs and Excise Service Officers expressed disappointment that the new commissioner was not chosen through internal promotion.
Tang would replace Clement Cheung Wan-ching (張雲正) who assumed the role of Secretary for the Civil Services after the departure of Paul Tang Kwok-wai (鄧國威). He was the former Director of Broadcasting and Head of RTHK, in which he was not a beloved figure either.
“It is not the issue of Tang himself, but rather the culture within the two departments that AOs parachuting into are not particularly welcomed,” Vincent Wong, former AO, director of Commercial Radio Hong Kong, and renowned political commentator, explains, “It is the difference in expectations between Government handling departmental affairs in a top-down or bottom-up approach.”
“The reason why Tang was tapped Director of Broadcasting was because RTHK was in bid of a new headquarters back then (although the proposal was eventually voted down in the LegCo), in which case an AO would be desired for his or her experience in overseeing coordination works. The Customs and Excise Department, meanwhile, has recently had its new headquarters built. Hence you would see more voices opposing to the appointment within the department.” Wong says.
Senior members re-appointed to Occupational Safety & Health Council
Mr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung (黃天祥) was re-appointed as Chairman of the Occupational Safety and Health Council, while Dr Alan Chan Hoi-shou (陳海壽博士) and Mr Poon Siu-ping (潘兆平) were re-appointed as Vice-chairman and member of the Council respectively. With effect from August 22, 2015, they will serve a two-year term. Poon also serves as a member of the Legislative Council for the Labour constituency, having succeeded Li Fung-ying in 2012.
Examinations and Assessment Authority keeps chairmen, appoints new members
Chairman of Pacific Falcon Investment Group Ltd. Mr Rock Chen Chung-nin (陳仲尼) and Chief Executive Officer of the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Ms Ruth Shek Yuk-yu (石玉如) were re-appointed as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) respectively.
Additionally, Principal of the Hong Kong Taoist Association Ching Chung Secondary School Mr Benjamin Ng Yau-keung, Vice Principal of the Holy Trinity College Ms Monica Cheng Wai-yee, and Managing Partner of HLB Hodgson Impey Cheng Mr Raymond Cheng Chung-ching were appointed as members of the HKEAA. The three new members will be replacing Mr Patrick Chan Kwok-wai (陳國威), Dr Esther Ho Yuk-fan (何玉芬博士) and Mr Daniel Wong Ip-cheung (黃業祥). All appointments will be in effect from 1 September, 2015 to August 31, 2018.