Update | CY Leung appoints NPC deputy to key post on Hong Kong's corruption watchdog ICAC

Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has named a National People’s Congress deputy to a top post on the city’s anti-corruption body, sparking opposition from the pan-democratic camp.

Maria Tam Wai-chu, who is a representative on China’s legislature, was named on Friday as the new chairwoman of the Independent Commission Against Corruption’s operations review committee, the body responsible for overseeing all investigations by the graft-buster.

Among its tasks is looking into investigations that have lasted for more than a year or require “substantial resources”, according to a government statement.

Tam, who is also a member of the pro-establishment Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, was also appointed a member of the ICAC’s Advisory Committee on Corruption.

Democrat James To Kun-sun opposed the appointment, citing Tam’s strong political opinions and possible bias.

To urged the government to retract Tam's appointment.

"Tam has many times made open comments with a strong political leaning. There will certainly be doubt over biases and political considerations when she handles individual issues in the future," To said in a statement released on Friday.