Ex-chief secretary Stephen Lam denies he'll return to politics

Former chief secretary Stephen Lam Sui-lung yesterday dismissed speculation that he might return to public service after finishing his theological studies in England next year.

A Christian, he said that chapter of his public service had closed, and he was considering a church career.

There have been suggestions Lam would succeed Elsie Leung Oi-sie as a vice-chairman of the Basic Law Committee next year, but quoting from the Bible, he said: "For every activity under heaven there is a time - a time to plant, a time to uproot what you have planted."

Lam, a Protestant, added: "No one has asked me about any public post, and for me, my work in the public sector has ended, so I will concentrate on my theological studies and hope to serve a church in the future."

Lam stepped down as chief secretary in June after serving in the government for 34 years. As an acknowledgement of his work, he was awarded a Grand Bauhinia Medal yesterday at Government House, along with five other recipients - Chief Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, non-permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal Mr Justice Kemal Bokhary, former secretary for justice Wong Yan-lung, The Wharf (Holdings) chairman Peter Woo Kwong-ching and property tycoon Lui Che-woo.

After the ceremony, Lam was asked to comment on the current administration's relationship with the legislature.