Former security chief enters row over undersecretaries
A second former minister has called on new undersecretaries to give up their foreign citizenship.
Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who served as security chief under Tung Chee-hwa, said the government had erred in its political judgment if it felt that the lack of a legal barrier to the appointees holding dual nationality was an adequate defence.
Mrs Ip, who renounced British citizenship 12 years ago, before her appointment as director of immigration, said there was a dearth of political talent committed to the city and willing to make personal sacrifices.
She said the fact that the government had not pressured the deputy ministers to give up their foreign citizenship showed the difficulty the administration faced in encouraging business and professional elites to take up political appointments.
Mrs Ip told the South China Morning Post that deputy ministers were expected to show commitment to serving the interests of Hong Kong 'over and above' ordinary citizens.