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Wrong picks can be devastating

Editorial | Mary Ma 14 Jun 2024

The University of Hong Kong saga has generated much attention as the two protagonists - vice-chancellor Zhang Xiang and council chair Priscilla Wong Pui-sze - opened up to each other on their huge differences.

If both are well known in their respective professional fields, another name may have escaped as much public attention as the HKU fiasco headed for the next stage after Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu appointed University Grants Committee chairman Tim Lui as one of the two members of a special group tasked to establish the facts and recommend ways forward.

Will Lui be given a more prominent public role after helping resolve the fiasco that is causing the university so much embarrassment?

It has been long-standing government practice to nurture locals of potential to fill public-service posts.

The problem is that it has been difficult for the government to replenish this pool of big talent of late and it is has been forced to reappoint some for longer periods than is ideal. Choosing the right appointees is crucial since a wrong pick could be devastating.

The other member on the special group looking into the HKU fiasco is Permanent Secretary for Education Michelle Li Mei-sheung, a civil service administrative officer.

The task before Lui is delicate as it is unambiguous in state media articles that Beijing is expecting everybody involved in the case to recognize HKU's importance to the country and bear in mind an overriding need to consider the "overall situation."

If Lui can successfully resolve the Zhang-Wong issue with skill it will enrich his already decorated public service life. Then, would it lead to another major role for him to play when the next opportunity arises?

The chairs of committees or statutory organizations are only remunerated with a nominal amount.

For example, when the government was looking for a successor to Jack So Chak-kwong as chairman of the Hong Kong Airport Authority after six years, its chief executive officer Fred Lam Tin-fuk was eventually named to fill the top slot.

It was evident that it had been hard to find a successor.

Lam's renewed contract as CEO would have gone up to late 2025 or 2026, which means he had to sacrifice a HK$10 million-plus salary for the chairman's tiny remuneration.

Perhaps, money has already ceased to be a concern for Lam.

In the case of HKU, the council led by Wong may have put forward a strong argument, which Zhang strongly dismissed.

The problem is that, even if both Wong and Zhang were found to be in the right, they would stand accused of devastating the "overall situation" by rocking the university.

The chief executive is pinning hopes on Lui as a troubleshooter.

So will Lui follow a pathway similar to that of Carlson Tong Ka-shing to become chairman of the stock exchange when the moment comes after completing the services as chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission and UGC?

Let's keep an eye on things.



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