Lawmakers backed Donald Tsang Yam-kuen's appointment to the civil service's top job, but expressed reservations over Antony Leung Kam-chung becoming financial secretary. Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming said no one was more appropriate than Mr Tsang to succeed Anson Chan Fang On-sang. He urged Mr Tsang to follow Mrs Chan's lead in upholding the rule of law and defending human rights. But Mr Lee was cautious over Mr Leung's performance. 'It is fine to give Mr Leung a chance to be the financial secretary. People should give him some time to work things out.' Emily Lau Wai-hing, of The Frontier, was not confident Mr Leung would do his new job well. 'If he could not fix the education system well, how can we trust him to become the financial secretary? I am sure he is a man bustling with ideas, but it is how to put them into action that is important,' she said, referring to Mr Leung's time as chairman of the Education Commission. Ms Lau feared Mr Tsang would not stand up to pressure on human rights and freedom. Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said people need not worry about any conflict of interest with Mr Leung's new post. 'There will not be a conflict of interest as I believe he won't help a company at the expense of others' interests,' he said. Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong vice-chairman Ip Kwok-him said Mr Leung had to win support from the civil service, although he had a good relationship with the business sector. The Executive Council welcomed the appointments, saying councillors would work closely and unreservedly with Mr Tsang and Mr Leung. 'The two secretaries have a proven record of outstanding performance in public service, and their abilities are widely recognised. I trust that their appointments will be supported by both the community at large and the civil service,' Exco convenor Leung Chun-ying said. Professor Lau Siu-kai, of the Chinese University, feared that Mr Tsang might not get along with Mr Leung. 'Both Mr Tsang and Mr Leung are people of strong personalities with very different political background and beliefs. What concerns me most is whether Mr Tung can get them under control and give full play to their knowledge,' he said. City University applied social studies lecturer Ivan Choy Chi-keung also questioned whether Mr Leung could co-operate with Mr Tsang and other senior financial officials. 'It is worrying whether he will have a good relationship with Mr Tsang, who was said to have recommended [Mandatory Provident Fund Authority managing director] Rafael Hui Si-yan to be his successor instead,' he said. Pro-Beijing figures welcomed the appointments and hailed Mr Tsang and Mr Leung as the best choices for the crucial posts. National People's Congress local deputy Ma Lik believed Mr Tsang would work well with Mr Tung, while Mr Leung would act as a role model for 'specialists running Hong Kong'. Another local deputy, Allen Lee Peng-fei, said the first thing Mr Leung should do was to shorten his distance from the civil service. Foreign consulates and business groups also commended the appointments. A British Consulate-General spokesman described Mr Tsang as a fitting successor to Mrs Chan. A spokeswoman for the United States Consulate-General said: 'Mr Tsang had in the past worked closely with United States officials on trade and economic matters, and Mr Leung had also good relations with US officials.' Frank Martin, president of the American Chamber of Commerce, said appointing Mr Leung could prevent a reshuffle of the civil service and maintain stability.
