Information coordinator Andrew Fung Wai-kwong has drawn criticism from lawmakers for making numerous blunders despite his high salary
DANNY MOK AND GARY CHEUNG
UPDATED : Thursday, 26 May, 2016, 9:38am
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong has made headlines on numerous occasions with controversial remarks and blunders. Photo: Felix Wong
The employment contract of the controversial top media aide to the chief executive has been renewed, a month before it was due to expire.
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong, 54, who was appointed information coordinator under the Office of the Chief Executive in December 2013, confirmed with the South China Morning Post on Wednesday night that his contract had been extended for one year.
Andrew Fung Wai-kwong (right) accompanies Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying (centre) at the Chief Executive Office in Tamar. Photo: Felix Wong
The chief executive’s spin doctor and the fourth highest-ranking official in Leung’s office was paid HK$3.4 million this financial year. He will also pocket an end-of-contract gratuity of HK$430,000, taking his total earnings to HK$3.83 million.
Edward Yau Tang-wah, the director of the office, earned HK$3.6 million in salary in this financial year.
Fung earned HK$2.74 million in 2014–15 and HK$2.96 million in 2015–16.
Fung is responsible for handling media relations for the city’s top official. But since taking up the post, the former Democratic Party member has made headlines on numerous occasions with controversial remarks and blunders.
And he has been subjected to criticism from the pan-democratic camp for his high salary and lacklustre performance.
Lawmaker Lee Cheuk-yan told the media that Fung had shown a negative example to young people that such a brown-noser could win Leung’s favour.
But another lawmaker, Ben Chan Han-pan, said making no changes to the chief executive’s team would be good for the operation of the government in the remaining days of Leung’s current term.
Fung did not respond to comments on the renewal of his contract, saying only that he would do his job well.
Before he worked for Leung, Fung was a public relations consultant and Southern District councillor.
In October 2013, Fung apologised for faulty ballot papers prepared by his firm, PR Concepts, that led to chaos at the Arts Development Council election.
He quit the Democratic Party in 2012 after he was found to have applied for undersecretary jobs.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1954932/controversial-top-media-aide-cy-leung-has-contract-extended
