The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority: The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Livi Bank Limited on fraudulent website, whic… read more
The Government announced today (August 13) the following senior appointments:
(a) Mr Brian Lo Sai-hung, Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, will take up the post of Director-General of Trade and Industry on August 24, 2020;
(b) Miss Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, will take up the post of Commissioner for Transport on September 9, 2020; and
(c) Mr Tam Tai-pang, Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue, will assume the post of Commissioner of Inland Revenue on August 20, 2020, when Mr Wong Kuen-fai commences his pre-retirement leave.
Commenting on the appointments of Mr Lo and Miss Law, the Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Patrick Nip, said, “The two appointees are seasoned Administrative Officers with proven leadership and management skills. I have every confidence that they will serve the community with professionalism in their new capacities.”
Commenting on the appointment of Mr Tam, Mr Nip said, “Mr Tam has profound knowledge and experience in tax administration. He also possesses proven management and leadership skills. I am confident that he will be able to lead the Inland Revenue Department to meet the challenges ahead.”
On the retirement of Mr Wong, Mr Nip said, “As Commissioner of Inland Revenue, Mr Wong has served with zeal and professionalism, and has made sustained efforts in enhancing the efficiency and service quality of the Department. I wish him a fulfilling and happy retirement.”
Brief biographical notes of the four officers are set out below:
Mr Brian Lo Sai-hung
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Mr Lo joined the Administrative Service in August 1989 and rose to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2016. He has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Trade and Industry Branch, the former University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, the former Trade Department, the former Transport Bureau, the Innovation and Technology Commission, the former Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau and the Civil Service Bureau. He was Deputy Director-General of Trade and Industry from October 2012 to July 2014, Deputy Secretary for Education from July 2014 to July 2018 and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service since July 2018.
Miss Rosanna Law Shuk-pui
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Miss Law joined the Government in July 1989. She served in the Labour Officer and Trade Officer Grades before joining the Administrative Service in July 1990, rising to the rank of Administrative Officer Staff Grade B1 in April 2018. She has served in various bureaux and departments, including the former Civil Service Branch, the former City and New Territories Administration, the former Constitutional Affairs Branch, the Chief Secretary for Administration’s Office and the former Trade Department. She was Principal Assistant Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works (Transport) (later renamed Principal Assistant Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport)) from March 2007 to August 2009, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism from August 2010 to September 2016 and has been serving as Deputy Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs since September 2016.
Mr Wong Kuen-fai
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Mr Wong joined the Government as Assistant Assessor in July 1982. He was promoted to Chief Assessor in November 2005, to Assistant Commissioner of Inland Revenue in September 2008 and to Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue in June 2010. He has been Commissioner of Inland Revenue since June 2013.
Mr Tam Tai-pang
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Mr Tam joined the Government as Assistant Assessor in July 1986. He was promoted to Chief Assessor in December 2009, to Assistant Commissioner of Inland Revenue in March 2012 and to Deputy Commissioner of Inland Revenue in December 2013.
The Department of Health (DH) today (August 13) appealed to the public not to buy or consume a slimming product named Fit Fit Day as it was found to contain undeclared and banned drug ingredients that might be dangerous to one’s health.
Acting upon a public complaint, a sample of the above product was purchased via a social media network platform for analysis. Test results from the Government Laboratory revealed that the sample contained sibutramine, fluoxetine and orlistat, which are all Part 1 poisons under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance (Cap 138) (the Ordinance). The DH’s investigation is continuing.
Sibutramine was once used as an appetite suppressant. Since November 2010, pharmaceutical products containing sibutramine have been banned in Hong Kong because of an increased cardiovascular risk. Fluoxetine is used for treatment of mood disorders and may cause hallucinations and insomnia. Meanwhile, orlistat is used for the treatment of obesity. Its side effects include faecal urgency, fatty stool, increased frequency of defecation, faecal incontinence, headaches and abdominal pain. Severe liver injuries may also be induced.
According to the Ordinance, all pharmaceutical products must be registered with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong before they can be legally sold in the market. Illegal sale or possession of unregistered pharmaceutical products or Part 1 poisons are criminal offences. The maximum penalty for each offence is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment.
The DH spokesman strongly urged members of the public not to buy products of unknown or doubtful composition, or to consume products from unknown sources. Members of the public who have purchased the above product should stop consuming it immediately. They should consult healthcare professionals for advice if feeling unwell after consumption.
The spokesman added that weight control should be achieved through a balanced diet and appropriate exercise. The public should consult healthcare professionals before using any medication for weight control. They may visit the website of the Drug Office of the DH for “Health messages on overweight problem and slimming products” and “Information on slimming products with undeclared Western drug ingredients” for more information.
The public may submit the above product to the Drug Office of the DH at Room 1801, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, during office hours for disposal.
The effective exchange rate index for the Hong Kong dollar on Thursday, August 13, 2020 is 105.8 (down 0.2 against yesterday’s index). read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) announced today (August 13) that an 88-year-old female patient confirmed with COVID-19 (case number: 2701) passed away toda… read more