Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam ‘welcomes’ cost-saving office relocation

Former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor has said she welcomes the relocation of her publicly-funded office from a prime commercial building with an annual rent of HK$5.67 million (US$730,000) to government premises for the next three years in a move that will save “recurrent rental cost”.

Confirming a Post report on Monday, the Office of Former Chief Executive said Lam’s current workplace at One Pacific Place in Queensway would be relocated to government-owned premises on the 23rd floor of Immigration Tower in Wan Chai when the three-year lease arranged by the government expired in May.

“Mrs Lam welcomes the relocation, which will save recurrent rental cost while at the same time enable her to continue discharging the former chief executive’s duties. We expect the relocation to take place as soon as essential renovation works of the Immigration Tower premises have been completed, which should be well before the expiry of the current lease in May 2025,” a spokesman of Lam’s office said.

“We have been advised that the Immigration Tower premises are available for use for at least three years.”

On Monday, the entire 23rd floor of the Immigration Tower was blocked off for renovation and several workers were seen working there.

The Post on Sunday reported the relocation of Lam’s current office following months of scrutiny after her current office was revealed to have cost taxpayers an estimated HK$9.17 million (US$1.17 million) in the 2023-24 financial year, including a hefty rent of HK$5.67 million.