Opinion | Determined to promote reform measures to protect the lives and property of citizens

By Yiu Ming

Recently, the SAR Government published the report of the Independent Committee on the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire. After the fire, the SAR Government devoted substantial manpower and resources to post-fire work. It has also recently accounted for the incident and pursued accountability, demonstrating the courage to take responsibility and act proactively, and fully reflecting the SAR Government's proactive, effective and people-oriented governance style.

Over the past few months, the Independent Committee overcame all difficulties and held a total of 30 hearings, hearing oral testimony from 80 witnesses and submissions from legal representatives of the parties involved. It clarified the causes of and responsibility for the fire, exposed the institutional loopholes behind the fire, and submitted an objective, detailed and clear report to the Chief Executive, providing a solid basis for the SAR Government to handle post-fire work in accordance with law.

As can be seen from the recent press conference, the SAR Government made appropriate accountability decisions, pursuing accountability at three levels—political accountability, administrative accountability and criminal liability—in a pragmatic and fact-based manner. It is noteworthy that while pursuing accountability, the SAR Government also decisively introduced a series of reform measures, including legislation to combat bid-rigging, the establishment of a Building Maintenance Support and Services Bureau, reform of the structure of regulatory authorities, and the establishment of a central data system. These are believed to effectively combat bid-rigging, improve the building maintenance system, and further safeguard building safety and residents' lives and property.

The Wang Fuk Court fire revealed that problems in building maintenance and bid-rigging had accumulated over many years. We support the SAR Government's firm determination to reform these longstanding malpractices, and hope that all sectors of society will unite as one and overcome difficulties together, support the Government in implementing the series of reform measures, move society forward, and better achieve high-quality development.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

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