HONG KONG: Not unlike the straight-backed wooden chairs he prefers, retiring director of social welfare Stephen Frederick Fisher said he tries to be straight and true in his words, no matter whom he addresses.

Fisher, 59, has won praise from legislators and the press during his 29 years' service in government. He still holds the rank of administrative officer staff grade B1, though he has headed the Social Welfare Department since July 2007.

While some say he should have been able to rise higher, Fisher said he believes the government's promotion system for employees is fair. He admits, though, to being disappointed that he was not given a promotion last year. "Many people like speaking their true words. There's nothing wrong with it. Every person has his own unique personality. It is hard to change one's personality," he said. "I tried to be more diplomatic at the start - to avoid having tense relationships with other departments and not to uphold the right principles that I believe in, but later I found that it is not something over which I have full control," he said. "It is not good to compare yourself with others," he said. "What matters most is to live out your own life and be satisfied with what you have."

Almost three decades on, he said the comment he likes to hear about his performance, "This is Stephen Fisher. He is not a very high-ranking official, but he is dedicated and responsible."

Unlike some retired senior officials who have become policy critics, Fisher said he has no plans for such a role.

Fisher said he has dreamt of becoming a prominent academic. "I wish to pursue my dream now. I want to do research and lecture (at university) sometimes," he said.

Patrick Nip Tak-kuen, current deputy secretary for food and health (health), will succeed Fisher on August 15.

(HK Edition 08/08/2009 page4)