A retired senior graft-buster has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, raising doubts about succession plans at the city's anti-bribery agency.
Ryan Wong Sai-chiu, 60, was appointed yesterday as the ICAC's deputy chief and head of operations, meaning he will be managing all investigators at a time when some of Hong Kong's political elite are embroiled in graft-related scandals.
He retired as a director of investigation in January.
Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu, who earlier said a long-term succession plan was in place and competent officers had been groomed to take up senior jobs, said Wong had 'solid, profound investigative and management experience'.
Wong will succeed Daniel Li Ming-chak, also 60, who begins his pre-retirement leave today.
Li's term was extended twice to look into allegations that former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen had received favours from his tycoon friends.
Former ICAC investigator Stephen Char Shik-ngor said it was 'obvious that the ICAC, like many other government departments, has succession problems'.