John Lee 'set to toss hat' into CE ring

Michael Shum

Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee Ka-chiu is highly likely to join the chief executive's race, according to sources.

This came as incumbent Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor yesterday addressed the election issue for the first time and asked Hongkongers to "wait a bit longer" before she announces her decision.

Sing Tao Daily's online outlet broke the news yesterday afternoon that only one of either Lee or Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po will run in the election.

The other needs to remain in position to continue the anti-epidemic efforts, sources said. And the one entering the race is extremely likely to be Lee, they added.

Both the Chief Executive's Office and the office of Chan did not comment about the Sing Tao report.

If Lee makes a move and wins he would be the fourth chief secretary - the No 2 official in Hong Kong - to run for the city's top job.

The first three were Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Henry Tang Ying-yen and Lam.

And if elected on May 8 Lee, who first joined the government as a police inspector, would become the city's first leader from a disciplinary force.

Lee's office earlier responded to media inquiries denying that he will tender his resignation to join the chief executive race, saying he is now focused on anti-epidemic efforts.

But sources said since the government has to keep up the fight against the virus, Lee may not be required to resign from his position to run in the chief executive election.

Lee, 64, was named chief secretary in June 2021 after the resignation of Matthew Cheung Kin-chung.

Since then there has been speculation that Beijing is paving the way for Lee to become the next chief executive. That promotion came after he handled the anti-fugitive bill movement in 2019 as the secretary for security.

Lee joined the police force in 1977 as a probationary inspector and was promoted to chief superintendent in July 1997.

He was promoted to assistant commissioner in May 2003, senior assistant commissioner in January 2007 and deputy commissioner in September 2010.

He was scheduled to retire from the force in 2014.

But before his retirement, he was appointed undersecretary for security in September 2012 and promoted to secretary for security in July 2017 before being promoted to chief secretary.

He was in charge of the coordination of work among six disciplined services departments and two auxiliary forces while serving as secretary for security, when Hong Kong was rocked by unrest in 2019.

Lam, meanwhile, said she will announce her decision on whether to seek reelection at an appropriate time.

"This is not an appropriate time I hope the public can wait a bit longer," Lam said.

This is the first time Lam addressed questions about whether she would run for a second five-year term.

The nomination period, which started yesterday, will last until April 16.

Sources said Lam, shortly after talking to the media, held a scheduled meeting yesterday afternoon with all 13 top officials - including Lee and Chan.

The meeting tackled Covid work, sources added.

Authorities a day earlier announced that candidates in the chief executive election will be exempted from social gathering bans.

Lam explained yesterday that the waiver is necessary because candidates need to get in touch with 1,488 Election Committee members to gain their nomination and they also have to conduct public campaigns.

Candidates have to secure at least 188 nominations - including at least 15 from each of the five sectors of the Election Committee.

That means they must obtain at least 15 nominations from the fifth sector, which is made up of local deputies to the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference as well as representatives of relevant national organizations.

Candidates can only submit their nomination forms from 9am to 5pm on weekdays, meaning they can only file their application today at the earliest.

michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com

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