Chief secretary's aplomb in public reverses image of mere figurehead
He once appeared sidelined, destined to oversee projects no one else wanted, such as cleaning up Hong Kong. But Chief Secretary Donald Tsang Yam-kuen regained his centre-stage position yesterday, as he juggled two of the city's hottest political potatoes with ease.
By chance or by choice, Mr Tsang took on the West Kowloon cultural district project and constitutional reform on the same day - and still found time for a leisurely lunch at home.
After Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa launched his ministerial system, Mr Tsang was seen by many to have been reduced to a figurehead secretary without a real portfolio, asked to lead hygiene and cross-border projects.
But that image seemed to be relegated to history yesterday - and added fuel to rumours that Mr Tsang could be a dark horse in the next race for chief executive.
His confidence in dealing with powerful property developers seemed to have confirmed the chief secretary's status when six leading tycoons stood for half an hour waiting for his arrival at a ceremony to launch the public consultation on the West Kowloon cultural hub.