Hong Kong lawmakers demand explanation from government over HK$8.7 million to be spent on renovating Carrie Lam’s new office
- Former city leader’s new office to be set up at Pacific Place in Admiralty, according to authorities
- Including renovation fees, the work space will cost taxpayers at least HK$22.3 million in next three years
Legislators have demanded an explanation from the government as to why it is spending HK$8.7 million (US$1.1 million) on renovating an office for former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.
Lam’s predecessor Leung Chun-ying has shared an office with two other former chief executives, Tung Chee-hwa and Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, since he stepped down in 2017. Located on Kennedy Road in Mid-Levels, it is in a Grade I historic building constructed in the early 1900s.
But authorities last month said an office would be set up for Lam at Pacific Place, a shopping centre and office tower complex, in Admiralty.
“[It] will be established to provide support to the fourth former chief executive to perform promotional and protocol-related activities,” the statement said, adding that the new work space would begin operations tentatively by the end of July when fitting-out works had been completed.
According to the Administration Wing, Lam’s new office is 2,874 sq ft. The fitting-out works will amount to HK$8.7 million, while a three-year rental contract will cost taxpayers HK$377,000 per month.
