Ministers' ratings are on the rise
The popularity of all ministers, except Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung Oi-sie, has climbed in the past month, results of an opinion poll indicated yesterday.
Acting Chief Executive and Financial Secretary Henry Tang Ying-yen attained the highest popularity rating of 63 points, up 0.9 points from the previous study, while the justice minister's popularity dropped 1.2 points to 50.2.
The study, conducted by the University of Hong Kong between June 1 and 3, also asked the 1,015 respondents to indicate whether they wanted certain officials to be reappointed or dismissed.
Among the 11 bureau chiefs, Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong achieved the highest rating of 62.8 points, followed by Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food York Chow Yat-ngok and Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip Shu-kwan.
The poll also found that Stephen Lam Sui-lung, secretary for constitutional affairs, was the least popular minister, with 45.1 points. He was also the only official with more respondents asking for his dismissal than reappointment.
Though ranking fourth among all ministers, Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung registered the least gain of 0.4 points to 58.3.
Robert Chung Ting-yiu, director of the university's Public Opinion Programme, concluded that the popularity of the transport chief was affected by the Eastern Harbour Tunnel toll increase and recent traffic problems.
He also noted that although Mr Tang and housing chief Michael Suen Ming-yeung had become acting chief executive and chief secretary respectively, that did not help their popularity much.
