Ahead of an independent review committee’s investigation into the Tai Po fire next month, several newly elected lawmakers have called for urgent reforms to Hong Kong’s tendering system, warning that weaknesses in the current framework leave owners vulnerable to bid-rigging and safety risks.
Call for systemic review of tendering process
Speaking on a radio program on Sunday, Aaron Bok Kwok-ming, an incoming lawmaker representing the engineering sector, urged a comprehensive review of the city’s tendering system.
He said many homeowners and owners’ corporations lack professional expertise and are therefore heavily dependent on consultants throughout the tendering process, limiting their ability to safeguard their own interests.
Prestige Construction & Engineering Company Limited was selected as the contractor of Wang Fuk Court's renovation through the Urban Renewal Authority's Smart Tender service. Bok hopes to strengthen and empower the Smart Tender service as a third-party regulator, as he thinks the government can step up its participation and supervision in these "private construction projects" when the contract sum exceeding certain limits.
He called for reforms that would introduce stronger third-party supervision for future projects following the review.
Third-party advisers needed to enhance safety oversight
Another incoming lawmaker, Christine Fong Kwok-shan, said government subsidies should be provided to help residents hire independent third-party advisers to monitor construction safety, noting that the Smart Tender service mainly focuses on tender analysis rather than project execution.
She also raised concerns about the growing problem of fraudulent authorization letters, which are often used to manipulate voting outcomes within owners’ corporations.
“There are cases where an owner signs a document just once after buying a flat, and an authorization letter comes out from nowhere,” she said, citing a private estate case in which 200 fake letters were uncovered.
Highlighting the difficulty of prosecuting such cases, Fong called for the establishment of a dedicated Legislative Council task force to address the issue.
Her proposals also include stronger random inspections by the Buildings Department, a dedicated reporting mechanism, and one-stop service counters to assist buildings in complying with fire safety orders.
Government urged to take stronger supervisory role
Holden Chow Ho-ding, a Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) lawmaker, acknowledged that fraudulent authorization letters are a widespread issue and suggested expanding the scope of the Smart Tender service to oversee owners’ corporation projects more comprehensively.
He proposed that for projects below a certain cost threshold or meeting specific criteria, the government could act as the managing agent to ensure proper supervision.
Referring to a rebuilding and resettlement proposal submitted by the DAB to Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun last week, Chow said many affected residents hope to return to their original neighborhoods.
He urged the government to prioritize community needs and offer residents a range of resettlement options.
