Government Restructure Unrelated To Election: CE

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on Tuesday that her plan to restructure the government had nothing to do with whether she would run for a second term next year.

The CE earlier hinted that she planned to split the Transport and Housing Bureau and establish a new cultural bureau.

She told reporters at her weekly press conference that her administration would listen to different views and put forward a proposal to Legco for discussion after December's legislative election, before passing it to the next government.

She pointed out that the proposal was unlikely to go through during her term.

"Even if Legco passes the restructuring proposal, there will only be a few months left. Do we want the secretaries to change their posts and new secretaries to work for just a few months?" she asked.

"But of course, what if the next administration doesn't like the plan? Well, they can think about it again. This will be the job of the chief executive-designate. This work has nothing to do with whether I want to take part in the election."

Lam noted that there were no more filibusters at the Legislative Council, and lawmakers were willing to co-operate with the executive arm of the government.

She said, therefore, the administration should take the opportunity to do something that is good for Hong Kong's development.