Some details omitted from the official resume of the newly appointed political assistant to the Innovation and Technology Bureau reportedly show more links to pro-government groups.
Sandra Leung Shuk-bo, 43, was recommended as the new political assistant last Friday. In the official biography provided by the government, she was employed by the Our Hong Kong Foundation founded by former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, before joining the government.
But in her Linkedin profile, Leung was also listed as working for Techture Limited as a project director in March 2012. Techture is fully owned by Gary Yeung Man-yui, a Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) member and a former district councillor of the party, reported Ming Pao.
Yeung told Ming Pao that she was working for the company but was seconded to the Our Hong Kong Foundation around March or April last year to handle digital media and IT tasks.
A spokesperson for the Our Hong Kong Foundation was unable to confirm to Ming Pao as to whether she was employed directly by the foundation or by Techture during her tenure. Techture also owns a subsidiary named EGG Consulting Limited, at which Leung said in her profile that she was an associate project director, reported Stand News.
EGG was the app developer of Speak Out HK, an online media outlet supportive of Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying.
On Saturday, Secretary for Innovation and Technology Nicholas Yang Wei-hsiung said that Leung was hired based on merit and there was no need for second guessing.
He said that Leung’s previous work at a company of a DAB member was not a reason in considering her appointment. He also denied that the job represented a political reward.
Dr David Chung Wai-keung was also appointed as the undersecretary for the Innovation and Technology Bureau last Friday, a surprise choice for many. He worked with Yang at Cyberport for six years before joining the government. But the IT sector in Hong Kong, including lawmaker Charles Mok, generally agreed that Chung was a capable and suitable person for the position.
