In a symbolic move to bring more openness to government, the controversial iron barriers in front of Government Headquarters are set to be removed after new Chief Executive Donald Tsang moves his new office into the former governor's mansion on Upper Albert Road this October.

Tsang's prospective chief secretary for administration Rafael Hui, who is expected to be appointed tomorrow by Beijing, is pushing the move, sources told The Standard.

Hui has pledged to remove the repressive symbol and overhaul the current management of government headquarters.

``Hui's proposal to remove the iron bars has taken into account potential strong resistance from within the government, particularly those anxious about security,'' said a source. ``But in the future more protests and petitions will transfer to Tsang's office at Government House, not the SAR Government Headquarters.''

One of Hui's friends added that the new chief secretary resents the iron bars because they bring bad feng shui.

The two-meter cage-like iron gates were erected in January 1998 because former chief executive Tung Chee-hwa, who resigned in March, refused to use the colonial mansion as his office and chose to use the SAR Government Headquarters.

The headquarters are highly secured with all staff and visitors required to show passes and register with security guards before entry. Remote-controlled video cameras monitor passers-by and vehicles.

After Tsang moves into his new office, the current Chief Executive Office will be used by the chief secretary for administration and the financial secretary, as it was before the handover.

Hui also wants all policy secretaries to have their private offices at the headquarters instead of being scattered around Central in different buildings, the source said.

Lawmakers welcome the idea of tearing down the gates as a way for the government to appear more open, friendly and confident.

`` Winning the people's hearts and minds tops Tsang's agenda, so removing the iron bars is a right step forward,'' said trade unionist and legislator Lau Chin-shek.

Lawmakers have frequently questioned the justification for the gates, saying they send the wrong message to the public. Human right activists say the iron gates, the tight surveillance and the heightened security are reminiscent of a police state and are out of keeping with Hong Kong's image.

Democratic Party member and lawmaker James To supported the removal. ``Tsang should show his confidence in the people by allowing protesters to demonstrate even at the heart of the government premises,'' he said.

``During colonial rule, no such iron gates were erected. It was ironic to see the SAR government lack confidence in its people during Tung's tenure.''

Barrister-turned-lawmaker Ronny Tong also hailed the move.

``From the very beginning, erecting the iron gates was completely unnecessary. You can recall no violent or chaotic protests over the past eight years. Hong Kong people are peace-loving,'' Tong said.