Democratic Party chief Lee Wing-tat was first into the attack Thursday, accusing Hui of refusing to explain his relationship with the business sector.

However, Hui said later he could not take questions because of a sore throat.

"Once I've settled in, I will try to find an opportunity to sit down with friends of the media in the front line today to have a longer chat,'' he said.

However, he met media editors later in a closed-door briefing and talked about his new job.

Having been a personal adviser to the Kwok family of Sun Hung Kai Properties, Hui's appointment has raised concerns about how he will handle the controversial HK$40 billion West Kowloon cultural development project, for which Sun Hung Kai Properties is on the short list.

It has also been said that Hui acted as a middleman in trying to persuade Sun Hung Kai Properties and legislators to resolve their conflicts over the planned demolition of the Hung Hom Peninsula, which was finally dropped.

"I am very disappointed that Mr Hui refused to take questions from reporters. I suspect he was trying to evade answering about whether he has colluded with the business sector. His evasive manner only gives the public an impression that he has something to hide,'' Lee said. "As the number two ranking official, he should have made his position clear.''

Lee said he has submitted a list of 10 questions and called on Hui to answer them at a Legislative Council meeting.

The questions center on his past relationship with Sun Hung Kai Properties and whether or not he received any remuneration from the company, whether he participated in the company's bid for the West Kowloon project and whether he lobbied for the support of the government or other politicians for specific policies on behalf of the company, as well as how he will avoid being involved in any conflict of interest issue.

Lee said Hui will ignore the questions at his peril.

"If he fails to answer these questions in two weeks, the public will draw their own conclusions. They will not have faith in him. When an official cannot secure the trust of the people, everything he does will be in vain,'' he said.

However, Hui's colleagues and friends in political and business circles had nothing but praise for him.

"I have every reason to believe that he will be able to do the job as chief secretary extremely well. I will cooperate fully with him,'' Financial Secretary Henry Tang said.

Pro-Beijing Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) legislator Tam Yiu-chung urged Hui to handle the West Kowloon project in a transparent manner because of his close ties with Sun Hung Kai Properties.

Liberal Party chief James Tien said he believes Hui will handle the massive project properly, but suggested a more urgent task should be political reform.

Article 45 Concern Group legislator Ronny Tong said Hui should explain his stance on political reform and try to improve the relationship between the government and civil servants, soured by legal disputes over pay issues.

HSBC Asia Pacific chairman Vincent Cheng said he does not think Hui will be involved in conflict of interest issues.

New World Development managing director Henry Cheng said

he is not worried about conflict of interest issues as it is normal for long-time government workers to have friends in the business sector.

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce chief executive Eden Woon said Hui is familiar with government operations, the business sector and the community.

"He is a good communicator and understands the business sector and the community very well. He is able to connect with different sectors of society and will be able to help the new chief executive steer the government through many policy areas that the public and business sector care about,'' Woon said.cannix.yau@singtaonewscorp.com

teddy.ng@singtaonewscorp.com