Chief Executive John Lee today expressed sorrow over the passing of former Secretary for Education Michael Suen.

Mr Suen joined the Government in 1966. He also served as Secretary for Home Affairs, Secretary for Constitutional Affairs and Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands. He was appointed as Secretary for Education in 2007, a post he held until June, 2012.

Mr Lee said: “Mr Suen had devoted decades of service to the Government, holding various important positions.

“He had formulated strategies and provided counsel to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in various policy areas, addressing different challenges while promoting Hong Kong’s development.

“He commanded great respect from government colleagues and members of the community with his dedicated service to the public over the years.”

The Chief Executive highlighted that Mr Suen made significant contributions to the Hong Kong SAR and was awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 1999.

“I am saddened by the passing of Mr Suen,” he added. “I extend my deepest condolences to his family.”

Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn, Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho, Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin and Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak also expressed sorrow over Mr Suen's passing.

Mr Yeung noted that Mr Suen became one of the principal officials in 1997 and made immense contributions to the implementation of various policy measures.

Ms Linn said: “Mr Suen was a respected senior who encouraged me a lot throughout my service in the Administrative Officer grade, especially when I was serving in the Education Bureau.

“As his junior and subordinate, I looked up to him and was deeply impressed by his passion and wisdom, as well as his thorough and pragmatic approach to people and work. He was also enthusiastic about grooming talent.”

Ms Ho said Mr Suen's connections with housing affairs began very early when he joined the Housing Authority upon its establishment in 1973 as its first Secretary General, adding that later in 2002, Mr Suen took up an important role in housing policies again as the Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands until 2007.

Also extending her heartfelt condolences, Ms Choi said during his tenure as the Secretary for Education, Mr Suen formulated and implemented a number of important education policies, including promotion of the development of higher education institutions and broadening of multiple study pathways, implementation of the New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher Education, the fine-tuning of medium of instruction for secondary schools and implementation of small class teaching in primary schools, benefiting students and making far-reaching impacts.

“Mr Suen spared no effort and was dedicated in everything. He often communicated with frontline education personnel in person and resolved problems with wisdom. He was a role model for colleagues.

“The Education Bureau is deeply saddened by his passing. We will fondly remember him.”

While Miss Mak supplemented that with decades of service in the Government, Mr Suen was dedicated to serving the Government and the people of Hong Kong, and made significant contributions when he took charge of matters in relation to home affairs in the period following Hong Kong's return to the motherland.