The outgoing environment and food chief, Lily Yam Kwan Pui-ying, yesterday sought to play down controversy over her departure as she prepared to quit the Government after 33 years.
Mrs Yam said she had 'worked well' with both Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa and former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang.
'Our characters [hers and Mr Tung's] are very similar,' she said, while remaining tight-lipped on the new ministerial system.
Mrs Yam caused a stir in April when she announced her decision to quit one week before Mr Tung unveiled details of the ministerial system. She will begin her pre-retirement leave on Saturday and then travel to Europe.
Speculation has been rife that she was not on good terms with Mr Tung after she wept in the legislature after announcing her retirement. She had also said she would no longer be a 'barking dog'.
Mrs Yam told reporters at a farewell media session yesterday she wept because of her 'deep affection for Hong Kong'.