Authorities are expected to spend about HK$2.8 million (US$359,350) on renovating the new office of former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, who will move from a prime commercial building to a government building.
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The Office of Former Chief Executives last month confirmed that Lam’s workplace at One Pacific Place in Admiralty, where the annual rent of HK$5.67 million had sparked concerns about how taxpayers’ money was spent, would be relocated to the 23rd floor of Immigration Tower in Wan Chai when the three-year lease expired in May.
In response to an inquiry by lawmaker Michael Tien Puk-sun on Wednesday, No 2 official Eric Chan Kwok-ki said renovation work on Lam’s new office had started and would cost an estimated HK$2.8 million.
He added the government previously spent about HK$6.55 million to renovate her office in Admiralty but stressed it did not have to return the premises to its original state.
“The government liaised with the landlord, who agreed to take over the office in an as-is condition, and no reinstatement works will be required,” the chief secretary said.
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Lam’s office came under scrutiny by lawmakers and the public when it was revealed the Admiralty space cost taxpayers an estimated HK$9.17 million in the 2023-24 financial year, including HK$5.67 million in rent.