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Another nail in the coffin?

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Widely known as a devoted Buddhist, it may have come as a relief to Lam Woon-kwong to finally quit his role as top aide to Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa. Coming after the publication of a magazine report of him taking a holiday with a female friend in Tokyo, his decision to depart the corridors of power will spare him the glare of the media spotlight.

After 21/2 years as head of Mr Tung's office, Mr Lam must also have been aware of what more, if anything, he could offer the chief executive before the end of his second term.

If he had come to the conclusion that there was little he could do, it could be seen as a wise decision for him to go immediately after reports about his private life hit the streets. This would help minimise the political backlash of the resignation of a key official - the fourth from the Tung cabinet.

Shortly after the announcement of his decision late on Thursday, Mr Lam said that he had resigned in view of the magazine report. On Saturday, he denied claims that he had quit because of conflicting views with Mr Tung over the refusal to grant a visa to Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou.

He maintained that he did not want the image of Mr Tung and his office damaged by the negative press reports. His resignation, he stressed, had nothing to do with his work, or his working relationship with Mr Tung.

Given that Mr Lam's relationship with his female friend was revealed two years ago, observers have good reason to take his statement with a pinch of salt.

The report contains nothing which could constitute a case of serious misconduct, after all. A poll also found that 55 per cent of respondents did not think Mr Lam should have gone.

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