Albert Poon Sui-cheong recently came out of retirement to rejoin CLP Power Hong Kong as deputy managing director.An active Rotary International member, Poon took part in organizing the "Rotary Anti- Drug Inter-School Debating Competition" - in partnership with Sing Tao Daily - a few years ago.
He first joined CLP in 1980 and held various senior positions before retiring in 2005. He holds a doctorate degree in economic electricity generation, and during his retirement became active in Rotary International volunteer services in water, health and education in remote poverty-stricken areas of the mainland, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Poon has just returned from Shaanxi, where he helped install nanotechnology water filtering facilities at local schools. The high- tech device has a core filter with a 10-year life. It is particularly helpful to the residents there, as they can't afford to change filters frequently.
When the system's Australian inventor sold the production rights to 3M, Poon insisted the maker maintain a separate production line to supply the device to poor regions at cost.
He said his extended break was spent meaningfully in social services and making new friends.
For example, he set up a high-pressure well for residents in a hilly region last year to improve the quality of their lives and enhance their productivity.
Now 61, Poon also found more time to spend with his family, and pay more attention to his health.
One of the reasons th
at prompted him to rejoin CLP was the tariff-increase controversy that started last year. He thinks the company could do more to explain the situation - the public should be made aware the tariff increase is needed to improve air quality.
Once that message gets across, Poon said, CLP should engage the public in exploring options as he believes the exercise will help the community reach a consensus on the issue. Siu Sai-wo is chief editor of Sing Tao Daily
