The Financial Secretary, in exercise of the authority under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 485) (MPFSO) delegated to him by the Chief Executive, has appointed Mr Kenneth Chan Siu-yum as the Executive Director (Members and Supervision) of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority (MPFA) for a period of three years from August 5, 2024, to August 4, 2027, both dates inclusive.

     Announcing the appointment today (July 29), a spokesperson for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said, "Mr Chan is an experienced public administrator, strong in policy formulation and stakeholder engagement. We look forward to his dedicated service to the MPFA in strengthening the regulatory regime of the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System and the protection of scheme members."

     The MPFA is a statutory body established under the MPFSO in September 1998 for the regulation and supervision of the MPF System.

The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) today (July 29) announced a new service schedule of the two Coin Carts under the Coin Collection Programme, for the period of August 19, 2024 up to October 27, 2024. The schedule and other details of the Programme are shown on the HKMA webpage (coincollection.hkma.gov.hk).

     Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to June 30, 2024, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 236 000 transactions, collecting 963 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,527 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
     The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts' own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.

     The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go, TNG Wallet and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.

     The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 29) that due to big waves, red flags have been hoisted at Shek O Beach and Big Wave Bay Beach in Southern District, Hong Kong Island, and Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Pui O Beach in Islands District. Beachgoers are advised not to swim at these beaches.

     The Labour Department (LD) will hold the Re-employment Allowance Pilot Scheme (REA Scheme) Job Fair at MacPherson Stadium in Mong Kok on July 30 and 31, providing a large number of vacancies from various industries for job seekers, particularly middle-aged and elderly people.

     About 50 organisations will participate in the two-day job fair, offering over 3 300 quality full-time or part-time job vacancies from various industries, including catering, retail, hotel, air freight and transport industries. Around 20 to 30 organisations will set up booths and conduct recruitment on the spot each day. A wide variety of positions will be offered, including business development manager, engineer, administration officer, clerk, cook, food and beverage service attendant, enrolled nurse, school bus attendant, programmer, packer, customer service assistant, station assistant, security officer, and technician. Most vacancies offer monthly salaries ranging from $11,000 to $24,000. Around 88 per cent of the vacancies are full-time jobs. About 93 per cent of the vacancies require a Secondary Seven education level or below. Around 64 per cent are open to job seekers without relevant work experience. Job seekers can visit the LD's Interactive Employment Service website (www.jobs.gov.hk) for more details of the vacancies.

     Job seekers can submit job applications during the event and may be selected for on-the-spot interviews. They can also make enquiries on the employment services provided by the LD at its counter inside the venue. In addition, the REA Scheme kick-off ceremony will be held at 2.30pm on July 30 and designated booths will be available for job seekers to learn more about the scheme.

     The job fair will be held from 11am to 5.30pm at 1/F, MacPherson Stadium, 38 Nelson Street, Mong Kok (near Mong Kok MTR Station Exit E2). Admission is free, with final admission time at 5pm each day.

     A man who went missing on Lamma Island has been located.
 
     Chan Kai-hung, aged 33, went missing after he was last seen at Yung Shue Wan Public Pier in the morning of July 25. His family made a report to Police yesterday (July 27).
 
     The man returned to his residence tonight (July 28). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.