Hong Kong authorities have replaced Tai Po district officer Eunice Chan Hau-man, who recently apologised for her choice of attire at the funeral of the firefighter who died in the catastrophic Wang Fuk Court fire.
Two government sources told the Post on Tuesday that her removal was not triggered by the episode, but had been planned “for a long period of time” after multiple internal complaints against Chan, who had served in the role for seven years.
Those complaints were related to her abrasive management approach, her attendance at lavish banquets and her reluctance to consider community feedback, among others, according to the civil servants, who asked to remain anonymous.
“The Tai Po district officer is a strategic role in government. All eyes are on how authorities will follow up on the fire, requiring great skill in articulating and communicating with stakeholders,” one source said. “The move is timely.”
The Home Affairs Department announced on Tuesday that Chan would be succeeded by Tiffany Chung Wai-ting, an assistant director of market development at the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, from Wednesday.
The government confirmed that Chan, one of the most experienced district officers among her peers, would be swapping roles with Chung. Both hold the same D2 rank within government.
