C.Y. Leung’s information coordinator called a ‘sycophant’ by Hong Kong lawmakers as his pay rises 14 per cent
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong set for HK$3.4 million salary in the 2016-17 financial year and HK$430,000 gratuity
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong, the outspoken information coordinator for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, was described by lawmakers as incompetent and a “sycophant” at a special Finance Committee meeting on the government’s budget on Friday.
The comments came as official documents were released showing Fung would receive a 14 per cent pay rise to take his salary to HK$3.4 million in the 2016-17 financial year.
On top of the rise, Fung will also receive an end-of-contract gratuity of HK$430,000, taking his total earnings to HK$3.83 million.
“Many civil servants and members of the public would not be satisfied to see the information coordinator receiving HK$3.83 million for doing nothing,” Lee Cheuk-yan, of the Labour Party, said. “Is the amount to reward his effort in being a sycophant?”
Fung is responsible for handling media relations for the city’s top official. But since taking up the post three years ago, the former Democratic Party member has made headlines on numerous occasions with controversial remarks and blunders.