The Home Affairs Bureau, responsible for district administration and community liaison, is poised for a top-level reshuffle soon, as the chief executive moves to strengthen his work in this area.
Government sources said Director of Home Affairs Pamela Tan Kam Mi-wah, who heads a department with 18 district officers conducting political work, would soon have a new position.
Wilson Fung Wing-yip, now overseeing the aviation portfolio in the Economic Development and Labour Bureau, would soon replace Stephen Fisher as deputy Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs.
These two changes follow the appointment of Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor as Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs in March. Mrs Lam worked with Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen in the finance branch in the 1990s. She also enjoys a good relationship with Chief Secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan.
Executive councillor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung said the reshuffle reflected Mr Tsang's desire for a strong lineup of officers to handle forthcoming problematic issues, including district council reform and the West Kowloon cultural development, as well as legislation against racism. 'The chief executive wants to have a capable officer to handle the issues topping his policy agenda, and Carrie Lam is certainly suitable for the job.'
A government source said: 'The Home Affairs Bureau is involved in a lot of liaison work which is related to Donald Tsang's re-election campaign. He wants everything under control. [Personnel] changes involving Pamela Tan and other senior 'followers' of Patrick Ho Chi-ping are taking place.'
Dr Ho, the Secretary for Home Affairs and a political appointee, is tipped to be among those stepping down in Mr Tsang's next administration from the middle of next year if he is re-elected.