The Advisory Committee on Post-office Employment for Former Chief Executives & Politically Appointed Officials has agreed former Secretary for Education & Manpower Professor Arthur Li to take up an appointment by a Malaysia-based investment holding company from today.

The committee received his request for advice, who intended to accept AFFIN Holdings Berhad's appointment as a non-independent, non-executive director.

After considering the information Mr Li provided and relevant government offices' assessment, the committee felt his previous official dealings in the Government were unrelated to the proposed appointment. It felt the company would not gain an unfair advantage over its competitors, nor would there be conflict of interests.

The committee did not expect adverse public reaction or public-perception problems arising from the appointment.

Prof Li ceased to be a politically-appointed official on July 1, 2007. Within a year after stepping down from office, such officials are required to seek the committee's advice before taking up any employment.