Elsie Leung Oi-sie has agreed to serve a second term as Secretary for Justice, but may retire before her five years are up, it emerged yesterday.
The pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po newspaper said Miss Leung, 63, had been swayed by lobbying from Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. She has previously indicated she would quit when her contract expired at the end of June.
The report did not say how long she intended to serve. However, another report said she might leave after two years.
A spokesman for the Justice Department refused to comment.
Miss Leung is the first post-handover Secretary for Justice. Her initial three-year contract was extended in 2000.
Non-affiliated legislator Audrey Eu Yuet-mee, who is a Senior Counsel, said that there were many capable lawyers who might be able to take over from Miss Leung, but 'not all of them are trusted by the Beijing Government and Mr Tung'.
