Hong Kong launches probe into Tai Po fire, vows completion within three months
Hong Kong's government has initiated a two-level administrative responsibility investigation into the Tai Po fire, with the Public Service Commission tasked to determine if any officials were derelict of duty. The probe must be completed within three months, signalling the government's resolve to cl
The Hong Kong government has launched a two-level administrative accountability investigation into the Tai Po (Tai Po) fire at Wang Fuk (Wang Fuk) Estate, initiated under the department head responsibility system. The Public Service Commission (PSC) will conduct the probe, which includes determining whether any officials were derelict of duty, and must be completed within three months.
Chief Executive John Lee (John Lee) said he believes the number of individuals under investigation by the PSC will be significant, with an estimated 40 to 50 people subject to scrutiny. Witnesses will also need to be interviewed.
Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung (Ingrid Yeung) stated that the government understands the high level of public concern over the follow-up work related to the Wang Fuk Estate fire. She noted that the Chief Executive's requirement for the PSC to complete its investigation within three months demonstrates the government's determination to quickly complete the probe and clarify administrative responsibility, contrasting with the nine months taken for an internal investigation into the Lamma Island (Lamma Island) collision. Yeung expressed disappointment that the independent committee's report indicated shortcomings by individual departmental staff who failed to adopt a citizen-centric approach, but stressed that the majority of civil servants remain dedicated and diligent in their roles, providing support and handling aftermath after the fire.
Yeung also said that to facilitate the early start of the investigation, a support office has been set up to assist the PSC, including seconding two directorate-level administrative officers to work in the support office.
Chairman of the PSC Cheng Mei-sze (Cheng Mei-sze) estimated that nearly 100 personnel from different government departments would need to be interviewed, with 40 to 50 of them being subjects of the investigation. She said the commission will conduct an in-depth investigation into the deficiencies and shortcomings of individual civil servants in relevant departments when performing their duties, and will promptly request relevant documents from the departments and meet with relevant personnel to establish facts as an important basis for the investigation. Cheng described the three-month timeframe as very tight, noting that the probe involves four interconnected departments, making the investigation complex and challenging, but the investigation team will work around the clock and give their all.
