A homeowner from Wang Chi House at Wang Fuk Court has welcomed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government's plan to criminalize bid-rigging in building maintenance projects, describing the proposed measure as "very good" and saying it would help deter illegal practices.
The government announced on Thursday (Oct. 29) a comprehensive package of reforms based on recommendations in the independent committee's report into the fire at Wang Fuk Court. The homeowner said the proposals reflected the government's sense of responsibility, adding that reforms to the complaint-handling mechanism and the establishment of a dedicated building maintenance support and services authority would be particularly beneficial to small property owners.
She also expressed hope that the government would take concrete action to implement all the proposed reforms.
Ms. Chueng, who lived in Wang Chi House for more than a decade before renting out her flat several years ago, said her tenant was not in the unit when the fire broke out and was unharmed.
Speaking to Ta Kung Pao on Thursday, she recalled that she had already noticed extensive damage to the protective scaffolding netting after a typhoon before the fire. However, she said residents who raised complaints had nowhere to turn, leaving them frustrated and helpless.
She said the independent committee's report had put forward a range of reform proposals, including changes to the complaint-handling mechanism, and hoped the government would demonstrate its commitment by pushing ahead with genuine reforms.
"We hope everyone will make an effort to bring about change," she said.
Chueng said the support provided by the government and various sectors of society to Wang Fuk Court residents after the fire had been comprehensive and attentive, offering them a solid financial and psychological support network.
She cited rental subsidies provided to affected residents and a special sales arrangement allowing them to purchase subsidized flats under the special sales scheme. Those who have to wait several years for their new flats to be completed can continue receiving rental subsidies in the meantime. Residents of Wang Fuk Court have also been exempted from various government taxes and fees.
In terms of emotional support, she said social workers and district organizations had also provided substantial assistance.
"They have done their best to help with everything they could think of," she said.
Reflecting on the past 10 months, Chueng said she had gone from feeling overwhelmed and distressed in the immediate aftermath of the fire to finding reassurance when the government decided to acquire Wang Chi House, a development she described as "like winning the Mark Six lottery". She is now preparing to select a new subsidized flat, allowing her to start life afresh.
"It feels like a dream that has finally come to an end, but fortunately, it has a happy ending," she said.
Looking ahead, she hoped the government would implement the proposed reforms, particularly the move to make bid-rigging a criminal offence. She described the measure as "very good", saying it could deter wrongdoers.
Ms. Sin, a resident of Wang Tai House, said the report had laid out the sequence of events and provided the public with an account of what had happened.
She praised the frontline personnel and the "one social worker per household" arrangement for providing residents with practical assistance.
Regarding the government's comprehensive reform package, Sin said the key was to have dedicated departments genuinely carry out their responsibilities and ensure effective oversight.
The government plans to establish a steering committee led by the chief secretary for administration to oversee the implementation of the report's recommendations, as well as a dedicated body for building maintenance support and services.
Sin said she hoped all government departments would fulfil their responsibilities and ensure the reforms were put into practice.
(Source: Ta Kung Pao; Reporter: Zhang Teng)
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