Grief, tributes as problem-solver Suen dies at 80

Michael Shum and Henry Siu

Tributes have poured in for former education chief Michael Suen Ming-yeung, who died in his sleep on Tuesday night. He was 80.

Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu praised Suen for his "great contributions" that led to him being awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star medal - the highest honor in Hong Kong - in 1999.

Suen also became secretary for home affairs, secretary for constitutional affairs and secretary for housing, planning and lands.

"Mr Suen devoted decades of service to the government, holding various important positions. He formulated strategies and provided counsel to the HKSAR in various policy areas, addressing different challenges while promoting Hong Kong's development," Lee said.

"He commanded great respect from government colleagues and members of the community with his dedicated service to the public over the years. I am saddened by the passing of Mr Suen. I extend my deepest condolences to his family."

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin, who worked with Suen for years, expressed deep sorrow and said he spared no effort at work.

"He often communicated with frontline education personnel in person and resolved problems with wisdom. He was a role model for colleagues," Choi said.

"I learned a lot working with him. He always reminded us that all roads lead to Rome, so we should be flexible when dealing with problems."

Another former colleague, Executive Council convener and lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, said she was saddened by Suen's death and he will be sorely missed.

Ip said Suen played an important role in implementing the one country, two systems. She added: "He was a very nice person and accessible to junior colleagues. I respect him so much."

In response to Suen's nine-point policy intended to stabilize the property market, which some said made prices skyrocket, Ip said the execution was the government's responsibility, not his.

Ip said she dined regularly with Suen and other colleagues, including former chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.

She said the last time she saw Suen was a few months ago, adding: "He was in good health. Although he had chronic diseases, he dined normally and he was very affectionate to his wife."

Other officials also mourned his death, including Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism Kevin Yeung Yun-hung and Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin, who praised Suen for his contributions.

Deemed the "bomb defuser" for his ability to solve problems of all sorts, Suen started his civil service career in 1966 as an administrative officer and was promoted to secretary for home affairs under governors David Wilson and Chris Patten in 1991. He later became secretary for constitutional affairs before taking the reins as secretary for housing, planning and lands.

He rolled out nine measures to stabilize the property market months after taking office as housing chief, including stopping land sales and ending the Home Ownership Scheme.

These measures led to controversies that some said contributed to skyrocketing property prices and rents. Suen was also embroiled in a scandal involving an illegal extension of his Happy Valley home.

He was appointed secretary for education in 2007 by Tsang and served until 2012, retiring after a 46-year career in government service.

Suen had been in and out of hospital since 2011. He suffered from renal failure in April that year and was diagnosed with Legionnaires' disease seven months later.