Carrie Lam’s top choice for Hong Kong justice secretary turns down job
Problem for chief executive-elect in filling post, with Beijing apparently not sold on either of her preferred choices
One of Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s shortlisted candidates for the thorny post of justice secretary has turned down the job and there is no guarantee another choice will win the approval of state leaders, sources close to the situation have said.
With incumbent Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung determined to leave when the administration’s term expires on June 30, it is proving one of the most difficult cabinet posts for Lam to fill.
Two senior counsel, Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, chairwoman of the Financial Dispute Resolution Centre, and Johnny Mok Shiu-luen, a Basic Law Committee member, have been tipped.
Cheng, who also chaired the Provisional Minimum Wage Commission and the Transport Advisory Committee, was acclaimed by Lam in a radio interview and was seen as the preferred choice.
But according to sources close to Lam, Cheng had already turned down the offer.
