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Before finalising her team, chief executive-elect Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor must first gain approval from t. of appointing a cabinet would includes getting the approval of he central government. Photo: AFP

Chief executive-elect Carrie Lam unlikely to draw pan-democrats to new cabinet, pundits say

In her victory speech on Sunday, Lam said she would invite people of all political persuasions to join her team

Chief executive-elect Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has promised to choose her cabinet on merit rather than political affiliation but she may fail to co-opt pan-democrats, political pundits said.

In her victory speech on Sunday, Lam said she would invite people of all political persuasions to join her team.

“I will invite people who have the heart and devotion for Hong Kong, regardless of political background,” she said, adding that she already had some names in mind.

Before finalising her team, the chief executive-elect must first gain approval from the central government, which has not always approved past leaders’ choices.

Asked if she feared Beijing would forbid pan-democrats from joining her cabinet, Lam said: “I have a headache about whether pan-democrats can join my team, and I hope they can set aside [our differences].”

But Chinese University political scientist Ivan Choy Chi-keung said: “It might not suit the pan-democrats’ political interest to join her team, as various opinion polls showed that Lam is only supported by about 10 per cent of pan-democrat supporters.”

Choy however, expected Lam to build a stronger cabinet than outgoing Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying as she seeks to convince the public she has broken away from her predecessor.

City University political scientist Ray Yep Kin-man said making the right cabinet choices was key to Lam boosting her popularity.

“She may not be able to invite the pan-democratic camp to join, but there are still many people with a good reputation and competence,” he said.

Commentators expected Lam, a civil servant for nearly four decades, to rely on ministers with a similar background. One of them is Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, who has hinted that he is keen to serve.

Meanwhile, housing minister Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, education chief Eddie Ng Hak-kim and Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung have all said they will likely end their terms.

The Post understands that Ling Kar-kan, who retired as director of planning last November, could be a possible replacement for Eric Ma Siu-cheung as Secretary for Development.

Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, 58, who heads the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, and Johnny Mok Shu-luen, who represented the government in a legal bid to unseat four lawmakers, are among those tipped for justice secretary.

Additional reporting by Jeffie Lam and Joyce Ng

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Cabinet makeup
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