The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has arrested 10 individuals involved in bribery at a residential construction site in Kwun Tong, where subcontractors allegedly bribed supervision staff to ignore substandard steel reinforcement work.
The arrestees, aged 29 to 52, are on suspension for bribery, conspiracy to defraud, and use of false documents.
The investigation follows media reports in October last year that revealed missing steel reinforcement bars at the site on Anderson Road, a Starter Homes Project developed by CK Asset.
The project comprises six residential blocks with 2,926 flats, about 1,000 of which are designated for first-time local homebuyers.
The main contractor for the development is Superb Interior Contracting Company Limited.
At the time, it was reported that at least four Y40 steel bars were absent from Block 3 of the project. The Buildings Department confirmed that some structural steel reinforcement at the site had not been installed in compliance with the Buildings Ordinance.
"Officers found on 26th September (2024) that workers were bending bars on the 29th floor on block three, and six of the beams' steel bars installed were less than what was required in the building layout," the department said in a statement.
The investigation indicated that the steel reinforcement in the remaining five buildings also did not conform to the approved construction plans.
ICAC suspects that the subcontractor offered various incentives to bribe supervisory personnel, allowing non-compliant steel reinforcement work to proceed in an attempt to cut costs and boost profits.
The total value of the alleged bribes -- including red pockets with up to thousands of Hong Kong dollars, mooncake vouchers, expensive meals, and nightclub entertainment -- is still under investigation.
In response, CK Asset said it supported ICAC's investigation and expressed grave concern regarding the suspected bribery of employees from the subcontractor and consulting company of the Anderson Road project.
The company has completed a preliminary construction review and is coordinating with the Buildings Department to determine appropriate follow-up measures.
