The health minister acknowledged that the public was less satisfied with Leung Chun-ying’s policy address [1] than with the maiden speeches of the last two leaders, adding that the current government faces an uphill climb amid recent controversies.

Speaking on a radio programme on Monday morning, Secretary for Food and Health Dr Ko Wing-man said that the unpopularity of Leung’s address upset him but that “I can’t say this is surprising”.

In his first policy address on Wednesday, Leung underscored housing as one of his top priorities, vowing to open up more land to build flats. Some critics said his blueprint fell short [2], saying it lacked details and failed to tackle a number of important issues.

Ko said Leung has faced many challenges since he took office and there was no end in sight. He cited the need to regulate the beauty industry after a woman died and three were critically ill in October last year after undergoing “anti-cancer” blood transfusion therapy at a beauty centre [3].

Ko, who has the highest popularity among senior government officials, said he wins public approval because his work is not political. The hardest part of his job, he said, was adapting to the role.