Wang Fuk Court fire report to be released Thursday with bid-rigging criminalisation
The independent committee investigating last year's Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire has submitted its report to the Chief Executive. The government is expected to release the report on Thursday, alongside reforms including criminalising bid-rigging in building maintenance and raising penalties.
The independent committee set up after the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire has submitted its report to the Chief Executive, with the government expected to release its contents and a series of reforms as soon as Thursday, according to Sing Tao, The Standard's sister publication.
The fire in November last year killed 168 people. The independent committee carried out about nine months of work and held 30 hearings before submitting its report to Chief Executive John Lee last Thursday. Lee said the government would carry out comprehensive reforms in building maintenance supervision, building management and fire service installations regulation, and would study the report carefully.
Measures are expected to include criminalising bid-rigging in building maintenance, reforming the operation and supervision of major maintenance works, and amending legislation to substantially raise penalties for violations. The government also plans to set up a steering committee led by the Chief Secretary for Administration to push through the reforms and legislative amendments.
It is understood the government will release the report on Thursday and hold a press conference, with Lee expected to be joined by the three secretaries and several policy bureau officials. One reform is legislation to prohibit bid-rigging in building maintenance, with the government creating a criminal offence targeting the practice. Last month's Policy Address announced a review of the old building maintenance system, including a study on criminalising bid-rigging, with proposals to be submitted to LegCo this year. The Competition Commission has proposed custodial penalties of up to seven to 10 years to strengthen deterrence.
Another measure is reforming the operation and supervision of building maintenance, including workflow, division of labour and project approvals, and strengthening regulation of contractors and professionals with tougher penalties. The government plans to submit amendments to the Buildings Ordinance to LegCo by the end of this year, shifting from industry self-regulation to proactive government oversight, with comprehensive audits, inspections and supervision, substantially higher maximum fines and raised building and fire safety standards.
The report is also expected to cover fire causes, departmental responsibility and recommendations on material standards and combating bid-rigging. The steering committee led by the Chief Secretary will review the committee's recommendations one by one, push for their implementation and monitor progress, particularly three legislative amendments to the Buildings Ordinance, Building Management Ordinance and Fire Safety Ordinance.
Legislator Scott Leung supported the reforms, saying criminalising bid-rigging would strengthen deterrence against syndicated bid-rigging and potential transfer of benefits, and promote fair competition. He agreed with strengthening supervision and raising penalties, and said the steering committee would help cross-departmental coordination and speed up implementation. Legislator Chan Hok-fung said criminalising bid-rigging would improve the current situation, as violations are currently handled mainly with fines and lack criminal prosecution, making deterrence difficult.