Next MTR Head Must Restore Confidence: CE

The Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, said on Tuesday that whoever takes up the role as the next chairman of the MTR Corporation will have to work hard to restore public confidence in the rail company following its series of construction scandals.

Lam refused to comment on reports that Rex Au Yeung, the head of Lingnan University’s Council, will take over the role from incumbent Frederick Ma in June. She said an announcement will be made at an appropriate time.

She pointed out that the chairman position is extremely challenging, being as the MTR is a large corporation with businesses in Hong Kong and overseas, and because the public has high expectations of the rail operator and its services.

The CE said it was unfortunate that various problems have emerged during the MTR's construction of the future Shatin-Central Link.

Workers are alleged to have cut short steel bars supporting platforms at Hung Hom Station, design plans have not been followed, and other stations have been hit by subsidence scares.

Ma's three-year contract will expire at the end of June. Au Yeung, who is tipped to replace him, previously headed the Asian branch of a US-based investment management company.