Appointment of Director of Immigration (with photos)
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     The State Council has, on the nomination and recommendation of Mr Donald Tsang, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), approved the appointment of Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Deputy Director of Immigration, as the Director of Immigration and the removal of Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu, the incumbent Director of Immigration, from the Principal Official position.  Mr Chan will take up the new appointment with effect from March 28, 2011.  Mr Peh will proceed on pre-retirement leave on the same day after serving the Immigration Department for 33 years.  

     Commenting on the appointment of Mr Chan, the Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, said, "Mr Chan has served in the Immigration Department for 28 years and has extensive knowledge and experience in the operations and management of the Department.  Over the years, Mr Chan has made great efforts in enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the Department.  I am confident that he will lead the Immigration Department in meeting the challenges ahead."

     Speaking on the retirement of Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu, the Chief Executive said, "Since taking up the appointment as Director of Immigration in April 2008, Mr Peh has put in commendable efforts in ensuring effective immigration control and enforcement of the immigration laws, leading the Immigration Department to become one of the most efficient and effective immigration services in the world.  We sincerely wish Mr Peh a happy retirement."

     The biographical notes on Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu and Mr Chan Kwok-ki are provided below:

Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu
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     Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu, aged 55, joined the Immigration Department as an Immigration Officer in April 1978. He was promoted to Senior Immigration Officer in August 1984, to Chief Immigration Officer in February 1991, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in October 1995 and to Principal Immigration Officer in June 2000. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Immigration in June 2004 and took up the post of Deputy Director of Immigration in September 2006. He assumed the post of Director of Immigration in April 2008.

     Mr Peh was awarded the Hong Kong Disciplined Services Medal in 1996, the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 1998, with the first clasp in 2003 and the second clasp in 2008, and the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 2006.

Mr Chan Kwok-ki
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     Mr Chan, aged 52, joined the Immigration Department as an Assistant Immigration Officer in October 1982.  He was promoted to Immigration Officer in September 1989, to Senior Immigration Officer in December 1995, to Chief Immigration Officer in December 2000, to Assistant Principal Immigration Officer in January 2003 and to Principal Immigration Officer in August 2004. He was promoted to Assistant Director of Immigration in April 2007 and had served as Assistant Director (Enforcement and Litigation) and Assistant Director (Visa and Policies). He became Deputy Director of Immigration in September 2009.

     Mr Chan was awarded the Hong Kong Immigration Service Long Service Medal in 2001, with the first clasp in 2008, and the Hong Kong Immigration Service Medal for Distinguished Service in 2009.

Ends/Monday, March 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:00

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