Source:
https://scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3002235/retired-icac-investigation-chief-ricky-chu-tipped-take
Hong Kong/ Law and Crime

Newly retired ICAC investigation chief Ricky Chu tipped to take over as head of Hong Kong’s equality watchdog

  • Sources say a selection board has shortlisted Chu, 65, to become the new head of the Equal Opportunities Commission
  • Chu retired from Independent Commission Against Corruption as its director of investigation (private sector) last week
Ricky Chu spent 35 years at the ICAC. Photo: Winson Wong

The newly retired investigation chief of Hong Kong’s graft-buster is tipped to take over as head of the city’s equality watchdog from next month, three sources have said.

Ricky Chu Man-kin, who retired from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as its director of investigation (private sector) on Monday last week, was expected to become chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), succeeding Alfred Chan Cheung-ming.

Chu would be the second officer this year from the disciplined services to lead one of the city’s watchdogs. Deputy police commissioner Winnie Chiu Wai-yin will succeed Connie Lau Yin-hing as Ombudsman in April.

The sources said a selection board had shortlisted Chu, 65, to become the new head of the EOC. But the city’s leader, Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, has the final say on whether to accept the panel’s recommendation.

Alfred Chan’s contract as EOC chief ends on April 10. Photo: Dickson Lee
Alfred Chan’s contract as EOC chief ends on April 10. Photo: Dickson Lee

An announcement on the appointment was expected within days, a source said.

Chu could not be reached for comment.

Chan’s contract ends on April 10.

Asked for comment, the EOC referred the Post to the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The bureau said the selection procedures for the new chairman had been completed and an announcement would be made at the appropriate time.

Critics including Lee Cheuk-yan, a human-rights activist and former lawmaker, have doubts over the government’s preference for people from the disciplined services for such public positions.

“What human rights knowledge does someone from the ICAC have? What human rights training have ICAC officers received in their jobs?” Lee said on Monday. “They are trained to fight corruption, not discrimination.”

Lee said that at least two senior managers at the equality watchdog previously worked for the police force.

The government began its search for Chan’s successor and opened applications for the post last October.

If he is appointed, it would be the second time Chu led a statutory body investigating complaints, apart from his 35 years tackling corruption.

Chu joined the ICAC in 1975 as an investigator. But he left in 2010 for the Independent Police Complaints Council, where he worked as secretary general of the police watchdog for five years.

He said he returned to the ICAC in 2016 on the personal invitation of Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu. At the time, the anti-graft agency was in turmoil after its first female head of the powerful Operations Department, Rebecca Li Bo-lan, was removed from the post. Peh hoped Chu could pacify frontline staff.

Chu would face similar problems at the EOC, where renewed concerns have arisen about the watchdog’s capability after it emerged last June that three senior employees overseeing its complaint services department had left within six months.

The departures were seen by some as fallout from a complaint the division lodged against Chan about his leadership style.

Accountancy sector lawmaker Kenneth Leung, who worked with Chu at the police watchdog, described him as a good choice for candidate.

“Chu was very responsible and professional in looking into cases,” Leung said. “With the investigative skills he developed in the ICAC, I believe the equality watchdog will have more achievements under his leadership.”

In Chu’s last media interview before retiring from the ICAC, he said his game was not over yet, and that he would like to shoulder public duties after some rest.

According to the job advertisement, applicants must possess at least 15 years of experience in public administration at a senior level and a solid track record in public or community service in Hong Kong.

Candidates must also hold a strong commitment to promoting equal opportunities and building an inclusive, barrier-free and harmonious society.