Chief Secretary Stephen Lam Sui-lung says he is not interested in joining the new government. Instead, he has a higher calling.
Lam said during a radio interview yesterday that on separate occasions the central government and chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying had asked about his intentions to stay in the government. But the devout Protestant said he would study theology at Oxford University.
'I decided with my wife many years ago we would spend a year overseas,' he said.
'I have been accepted to read a theological course at Oxford University in the last few days ... I am turning a new leaf after over 30 years of government service.'
He will do a one-year certificate in theological and pastoral studies at Wycliffe Hall, beginning in September.
Lam, who has consistently ranked the least popular minister in Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's administration in many public polls, will end his tenure as chief secretary on June 30.
A University of Hong Kong poll released last month saw his popularity rating slide to 36.7 marks out of 100, barely half of the 60.3 marks enjoyed by Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung.
