"On the one hand, I am sad because it has been a long time that I am in this job," said Zeman, who was travelling on the mainland. "On the other hand, I am happy if the board approves my advisory role and I will still have my foot in the door." The board is due to meet next week.

Zeman, who down the years has dressed as everything from a pumpkin to a giant jellyfish, a Chinese emperor, and even a female dancer in high heels and fishnet stockings to promote Ocean Park, wants to finish what he started - an expansion plan including a water park and a hotel.

During his chairmanship, the number of visitors rose to 7.73 million last year from 2.95 million in 2003, while a HK$4 million deficit in 2003, the year Sars struck, was turned into a HK$127.2 million surplus.

The Canadian-born businessman, who built up the Lan Kwai Fong entertainment district, said the expansion came at a time when Ocean Park faced "a lot of competition" from the Disney park on Lantau and another opening in Shanghai.

Commerce and Economic Development Secretary Greg So Kam-leung said Kung, with his commercial background, was "the most suitable candidate" to take over as Ocean Park chairman. Deputy chairman since 2003, Kung is a banker and serves on several public bodies. He is the vice-president of Bangkok Bank, a member of the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a non-executive director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority.

Ocean Park director Joseph Lau Ming-wai, developer Joseph Lau Luen-hung's son, will become deputy chairman on July 1.

Ocean Park board member Richard Tsang Lap-ki said he supported Zeman being an adviser. He said Kung's appointment was "reasonable" in that he would help oversee financial arrangements for the expansion.