The dominance of former and serving civil servants in Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's new cabinet lineup is a sign the chief executive feels ministers from outside government have failed to develop good working relationships with the civil service, according to the former security chief.
The remarks yesterday by Savantas Policy Institute chairwoman Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, came after media reports that veteran Beijing loyalist Tsang Tak-sing is likely to head the Home Affairs Bureau in Mr Tsang's new administration, which is expected to be announced next week.
'This time the ruling team comprises more civil servants than the previous terms. This may be because Mr Tsang feels that non-civil servants who become ministers have not got along too well with the civil service,' Mrs Ip told a media gathering.
Among the few who are expected to leave are those from outside the government, such as Secretary for Environment, Transport and Works Sarah Liao Sau-tung, home affairs chief Patrick Ho Chi-ping, and Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li Kwok-cheung.
One of the new faces, Edward Yau Tang-wah, 48, who is pegged to be director of information services, was a candidate who had less experience than was normally required for the position, Mrs Ip noted.
If confirmed, she said it would be unprecedented for the chief executive to 'parachute' a civil servant who is only D4 on the directorate pay scale to head a bureau.