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Tung Chee-hwa yesterday named a senior civil servant to head the Central Policy Unit (CPU), triggering a top-level reshuffle of the SAR Government less than one month after its establishment.

 Gordon Siu Kwing-chue, 51, moves from Secretary for Transport to take up the position vacated by Leo Goodstadt, the journalist who had led the government think-tank since it was set up in 1989.

 Mr Siu's transport portfolio will go to Nicholas Ng Wing-fui, 50, the Secretary for Constitutional Affairs who oversaw elections under the ill-fated Patten three-tier structure.

 Secretary for Home Affairs Michael Suen Ming-yeung, 53, the most senior official seconded to help Mr Tung before the handover, will replace Mr Ng.

 David Lan Hong-tsung, 57, head of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo, will be promoted to take over Home Affairs.

 The reshuffle was first announced by the Chinese State Council in a Xinhua report.

 It said the appointments were based on recommendations and nominations submitted by Mr Tung. The report did not include Mr Siu's new post.

 A more detailed announcement from the Government's information network half an hour later said Mr Tung would appoint Mr Siu to head the CPU, a position equivalent to Director of Bureau rank at D8.

 The monthly salary at this level is $181,050 and the housing allowance about $48,000 per month.

 Mr Tung has also agreed to three senior appointments. Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun, 44, who headed Mr Tung's office before the handover, becomes Commissioner for Transport.

 There had been no commissioner since Lily Yam Kwan Pui-ying left in March to become Commissioner at the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Paul Leung Sai-wah, 49, Deputy Secretary for Transport, succeeds Mr Lan. Carrie Yau Tsang Ka-lai, 42, Deputy Secretary for Security, will take up the post of Director of Administration vacated by Richard Hoare.

 Chief Secretary for Administration Anson Chan Fang On-sang expressed full confidence in the officers. She said they were 'capable, experienced and well-qualified for their new appointments'.

 Mrs Chan added: 'Both the Chief Executive and I are confident that they will bring a wealth of experience and strong leadership to the offices they are about to take up.'  She dismissed suggestions that the reshuffle so early would bring chaos, insisting top-level personnel changes were natural.

 'There's a vacancy at the CPU. As we have to find someone to fill the post, it results in the reshuffle,' said Mrs Chan.

 Mr Siu, tipped as a possible successor to Mrs Chan, described predictions of chaos as 'ridiculous'. He said: 'My priority is how to do a good job at the new position and on the Policy Address.'  Secretary for Civil Service Lam Woon-kwong said the new postings were 'reasonable'.

 He said: 'Nicholas Ng has been in his present post for more than three years. It's a reasonable end.

 'Mr Lan is known for his capability in building up wide connections. He's done an outstanding job in Tokyo with direct access to the Prime Minister.' Mr Ng said Mr Suen's involvement with the electoral plans while working at Mr Tung's office would ensure continuity.

 Mr Suen said: 'I feel happy to have the opportunity to oversee the elections. There's no difficulty for me.

 'Government policies are not made and implemented by individual officials, but by the whole team. Even if there are personnel changes, the philosophy and thoughts behind the policy will not change.'  Mr Lan said he had kept in close touch with local affairs and would have no problem in getting on with his new job.

 Democratic Party vice-chairman Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said moving Mr Ng would save him the embarrassment of having to promote electoral methods which replace the structure he had helped establish under the British administration.



Gordon Siu leaves transport post to head government think-tank