Cruel joke leads to sacking of insurance manager

Insurance manager Joseph Lam Chok was fired by Prudential for issuing "inappropriate comments" on social media about the horrific murders in Plaza Hollywood.

Lam wrote on Instagram on Friday after the attack that he would like to sell a pair of sneakers, which was the same as the suspect was wearing, as they were "good for fleeing."

Prudential said yesterday it had terminated a contract with a financial consultant for his inappropriate comment and behavior over the tragedy in Diamond Hill. It did not name the consultant.

The company said such comments and behavior contravened its values.

"We have decided to terminate the contract with the financial consultant after an internal investigation. We also have clear social media guidelines that all staff and financial consultants should abide by," it said.

Lam's ex-girlfriend, 2015 Miss Hong Kong Louisa Mak Ming-sze, liked Prudential's statement on Facebook but later unliked it.

Despite Lam having deleted the Instagram post, commentators on Prudential's statement on Facebook blamed the barrister-turned-insurance manager for being cold-blooded and urged the sector to kick Lam out.

A Facebook user, Ringo Pang, said: "I will cease my insurance policies immediately if any of the insurance companies dare to hire him.

Lo Candy said online: "Your colleague is making use of such a tragedy to advertise himself, just for boosting his insurance sales. Do you think it is acceptable to neglect people's feelings when earning money? It is so fortunate that I am not a client of your company."

Lam still identified himself as Prudential's senior regional manager on Instagram yesterday.

He told the media he had received a call from the company's highest-ranking official, informing him of the termination. "He was nice during the call, and simply said they will terminate the contract with me, without stating the reason," he said.

"I guess it was because some netizens were attacking the company online, so it decided to fire me amid the controversy.

"I have no idea what to do next. I will meet with the firm this week. But I wasn't fired immediately, the company only said they would fire me in the near future!"

He said he has more than 300 clients. He did not regret writing the post.

"I am relieved from official duties now, and I am ready to pick a fight with the netizens," he said.

His mother, Lily Wong, said she wasn't worried about her son's future. "My son is a piece of gold and he will shine wherever he goes," she said. When asked if she would advise Lam to be less outspoken, Wong said it is one of his qualities to be a "voice for the community."