The undersecretaries and political assistants formally introduced by Chief Executive Donald Tsang to the media yesterday expressed their desire to serve the public and take public interest as their priority, regardless of their remuneration.

"To me, working in the government is a lifelong career, and I hope to prove my commitment to the public with my work performance," said Raymond Tam Chi-yuen, Undersecretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs.

Kenneth Chen Wei-on, Deputy Director for Education, said he would listen to and communicate with different sectors on education issues.

Appointed Undersecretary for Environment Kitty Poon Kit said she would serve the public using her experience in research as a university assistant professor and is looking forward to exchanging ideas with her colleagues.

"I treasure such an opportunity," she said.

"It's for the satisfaction in serving the public," said Gregory So Kam-leung, Undersecretary for Commerce and Economic Development.

The appointees revealed yesterday they reached the consensus last Saturday to disclose their salaries as a further response to the public's demand, said Undersecretary for Transport and Housing Yau Shing-mu, adding it is done on a voluntary basis.

"We understand the public place high expectations on the appointments, and this becomes our motivation to work hard," Yau said.

Meanwhile, there has been debate over political assistant to the Secretary for Food and Health Paul Chan Chi-yuen, a 28-year-old appointee who only has three years' working experience in universities and whose monthly salary in the government is several times higher than what he made in the previous job.

He insisted that he is not overpaid as his experience in organizing the Roundtable group and community work will be valuable to the government.

"I will keep reminding myself that being young will not give me any privilege at work. The citizens will still have expectations on me and I will still bear the responsibility," he said. "I grew up in a public housing estate. I clearly understand what every cent means to the public."

The three political assistants who will not give up their foreign citizenship are Victor Lo Yik-kee, Katherine Ng, and Jeremy Young Chit-on.

They cited holding a foreign passport will not affect their work.

Young, Assistant to the Secretary for Education, said he has no intention to give up his British citizenship.

Lo, a retired police assistant commissioner who will assist the Secretary for Security, said his British citizenship will not affect his loyalty to the SAR government.

"The right of abode had caused no impact on my work (over the past decade in the police force) and raised no conflict of interest," he said.

Singaporean passport holder Ng said the interest of Hong Kong will still be her top priority.

"I am a Hongkonger. I am a permanent Hong Kong resident. I went to school, from kindergarten to secondary school, in Hong Kong."

(HK Edition 06/11/2008 page1)