Last post for candidate

AFTER more than 30 years working for the Post Office, Siu Yin-ying has packed his bags in order to contest the Community, Social and Personal Services functional constituency at the Legislative Council elections in September.

Mr Siu, 52, leaves the civil service, which he joined in 1962, on August 12, just two days before nominations for the poll close.

In the intervening weeks, he will try to learn more about Legco from his friend, the trade union leader Lee Cheuk-yan.

'I hope he's willing to teach me how to deal with the wide range of work done by the legislature,' Mr Siu said.

By taking early retirement, Mr Siu will not get his full pension. He would have had to have worked until May next year to achieve that.

And after eight years at the Beaconsfield House Post Office, where he was officer in charge, he will miss his colleagues.

'They have been very supportive when I had to take part in protests and other union activities,' he said.

If he is defeated in the seat that includes all 180,000 civil servants, Mr Siu will not look for another job but will just enjoy a quiet life.

'I will do some gardening and enjoy a peaceful life myself after working for more than 30 years,' he said.