Low-key duo in frame to succeed justice chief
Politically neutral candidate seen as a likely choice to replace Elsie Leung
Two low-key barristers are leading candidates to succeed Elsie Leung Oi-sie, with the government seeking a politically detached lawyer to fill the retiring justice minister's shoes.
Wong Yan-lung and Patrick Fung Pak-tung, both senior counsel, have emerged as top tips for the post of secretary for justice. The administration seems likely to make a formal announcement as early as next week.
A legal source said Mr Wong, who began practising as a barrister in 1987 and became a senior counsel in 2002, was more likely to be offered the post.
It is understood that both Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen and the central government prefer a lawyer who is seen as politically low-profile to succeed Miss Leung to prevent political controversy.
Traditional candidates, such as former solicitor-general Daniel Fung Wah-kin and executive councillor Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, who are both seen as pro-government, are not favoured for the post under current thinking.
Both Mr Wong, 42, and Mr Fung, who became a senior counsel in 1995, seldom air their political views publicly and are considered low key even by fellow barristers.
Speculation has intensified in the past few months that Miss Leung, 66, will retire soon.
Yesterday, she again declined to say whether she would resign soon and would not comment on the accuracy of reports about possible successors.
'The government would make a formal announcement if there is any appointment or removal of officials,' she said.
Some leading lawyers learned of Mr Wong's possible candidacy at the 22nd Congress on the Law of the World in Beijing early last month.
It is understood that Mr Wong, a former member of the Bar Association council, was a protege of Chief Justice Andrew Li Kwok-nang when the latter practised as a barrister.
Mr Wong's practice focuses on constitutional, administrative, property and civil law. He is chairman of the Criminal and Law Enforcement Injuries Compensation Boards and the Buildings Appeal Tribunal.
The senior counsel, who sat on the 800-strong Election Committee which selected Tung Chee-hwa's successor, did not nominate Mr Tsang for chief executive.
Lawmaker Ronny Tong Ka-wah, a fellow senior counsel, said he was a bit surprised by the emergence of Mr Wong and Mr Fung as leading candidates to succeed Miss Leung.
'They are very low-key persons even within our profession,' Mr Tong, of the Article 45 Concern Group, said.
'It would be better for the new secretary for justice to be a lawyer who is detached and independent of the government and various factions or interests, at least in the eyes of the public.'
