Deputy minister declines to say how much he earns in new post
A deputy minister brushed aside calls for him to disclose his salary yesterday, on his first day in the post.
Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, undersecretary for constitutional and mainland affairs, said he supported the government disclosure of only the number of appointees at certain pay points without giving names.
'Regarding my own salary, as the chief executive has mentioned, we have to balance the interest of both transparency, the public right to know and protecting personal information,' he said. 'I think the current arrangement is the ideal one.'
Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said on Saturday that four deputy ministers, or undersecretaries, would earn HK$208,680 a month and the other four HK$223,585 a month. But he refused to say who earned what.
Mr Tam was one of two undersecretaries and a political assistant who began work yesterday. They also declared their interests in accordance with the rules for political appointees.
Greg So Kam-leung, deputy minister for commerce and economic development, has 100 per cent interest in a firm called Lancy Development. He has a flat in Mid-Levels.
Mr Tam co-owns a flat with his wife, Sarah, who is a primary schoolteacher, in Central and Western District.
He has filed an application to relinquish his right of abode in Britain. Although the process would take months, he said it would not affect his duties. 'Acting for the secretary when he is out of town or on leave is one of the most important duties of the undersecretary ... This work needs to be done, and is in line with the Basic Law's requirement.'
Mr So, who is giving up his Canadian citizenship after wide controversy, did not elaborate on the issue again.
