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 reduce costs.
Confirming a Post report, the Office of Former Chief Executives said on Monday that Lam’s current workplace at One Pacific Place in Admiralty 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 for 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 on site.
The Post reported on Sunday that Lam’s office would relocate following months of scrutiny after her current site was revealed to have cost taxpayers an estimated HK$9.17 million in the 2023-24 financial year, including a hefty rent of HK$5.67 million.