Ambrose's appointment: New Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee will meet with political parties to hear their views on Basic Law Article 23.

Independent Commission Against Corruption Commissioner Ambrose Lee said he is honoured to be appointed Secretary for Security by the Chief Executive and vowed to do his level best in this portfolio.

"I will work closely with colleagues in the Security Bureau and the various disciplined forces as well as members of the Legislative Council. We will work closely together so that we can maintain law and order in Hong Kong, to maintain stability so that we can ensure prosperity in Hong Kong," he said.

When asked about the challenging role of promoting Article 23 of the Basic Law, Mr Lee replied that he had just taken up the post.

"I have to go back and learn more about the whole case and what are the critical issues. Some time ago, the Chief Executive said there would be a new round of consultations and we will be listening very carefully to the views of the different sectors of the community."

He added that he would be meeting with different political parties to hear their views on the bill, and urged members of the media to approach him if they themselves had opinions on it.

Implementing national security bill "a constitutional duty"

He stressed that the Government has not set a timetable for implementing Article 23 of the Basic Law.

"I will be very careful in handling this situation, I will also be listening to the views of the community," he added.

He also stressed that implementing Article 23 is "a constitutional duty".

When pressed by journalists for his stance on the controversial national security bill, Mr Lee replied: "If I came out here with a stance, it would not be a genuine consultation."

Government has heard the people's aspirations

While he had been in his ICAC post for about a year and found it quite enjoyable, he noted that he had come up through the ranks of the disciplined services.

"There is a calling that should our skills be required we shouldn't say no," he said. "Hong Kong is facing a critical time and that's why I took up the challenge."

Asked to comment on the July 1 demonstration of 500,000 people, and on his predecessor in the post, Regina Ip, Mr Lee replied: "As for July 1 protest, I think the Government has heard the aspirations of the people.

"There is this tradition in the Government that for a successor to the post, he should not comment on the performance of his predecessor. I'm sure there will be an evaluation in history," he said.

"I have worked with Mrs Ip for a long time. I think she is absolutely competent, there is no doubt about that."

Tribute paid to ICAC staff

"I take great pride in having been able to contribute to Hong Kong's anti-corruption effort over the past year. My tenure as Commissioner of the ICAC, though brief, has been extremely rewarding," Mr Lee said in a statement issued after the press conference.

"I am heartened to see the ICAC has continued to live up to its reputation as one of the least corrupt places in the world through generous community support and effective implementation of our three-pronged approach of investigation, corruption prevention and community education."

He said the ICAC - highly regarded as a world model of success - "owes its accomplishment to the men and women at the Commission. I have been most impressed by the commitment, perseverance and team spirit of its staff."

He took the opportunity to thank his colleagues at the ICAC for their unswerving support over the past year. "I have no doubt they will continue to discharge their duties professionally and without fear or favour," he said.

"Although I feel regret to have to leave the Commission and its dedicated staff, I am confident that the ICAC will continue to go from strength to strength under the leadership of the incoming Commissioner with his rich administrative and law enforcement experience."

Ambrose Lee's biography

* Mr Lee was appointed the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption in July 2002. He is directly accountable to the Chief Executive.

* The 54-year-old Mr Lee joined the Government as an Immigration Officer in 1974. He became Assistant Director of Immigration in 1995, and was promoted to Deputy Director of Immigration in 1997. Mr Lee was Director of Immigration between 1998 and 2002 before his appointment to the ICAC.

* Mr Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hong Kong. He also received professional training from Tsinghua University, Oxford University, and Harvard.

* Mr Lee was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 1998 in recognition of his exemplary contribution.