Seven areas of reforms introduced after Wang Fuk blaze

Chief Executive John Lee unveiled a series of comprehensive reforms aimed at addressing the shortcomings exposed by the Wang Fuk Court fire. Speaking at a press conference, Lee detailed the reforms that will be rolled out across seven key areas.

Firstly, authorities will target bid-rigging activities in building maintenance projects by introducing specific criminal offenses to the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance. This move will empower law enforcement agencies to take stronger action against suspects, including summoning individuals for questioning and seizing assets.

The government will also amend the law to empower the Competition Commission to combat bid-rigging through a combination of criminal and civil enforcement measures. The commission will collaborate with the police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to form an inter-departmental task force dedicated to investigating and preventing such activities.

To support homeowners, an independent authority will be established to provide professional advice on building maintenance. This authority will assume the responsibilities currently handled by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), offering homeowners all the necessary services under one roof.

The government will review and reform the regulatory frameworks for building maintenance projects. The aim is to clarify roles and responsibilities while strengthening regulation of professionals and contractors. This will involve introducing more stringent penalties to deter wrongdoing.

The Buildings Department will undergo a restructuring process to enhance its leadership and supervisory roles. Improved collaboration with the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Housing Bureau will also be a crucial aspect of this reform.

A centralised database will be created to facilitate information sharing across government departments. This database will contain past convictions and records of professional misconduct related to building maintenance work, allowing for more effective monitoring and enforcement.

The existing complaint mechanism concerning building maintenance will be integrated into the centralised database. Artificial intelligence will be employed to analyse and monitor the progress and outcomes of these complaints, ensuring that public concerns are addressed appropriately.

Finally, a steering committee chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan will be established. This committee will oversee the implementation of the 120 recommendations made in the Wang Fuk Court inferno report, ensuring that all recommendations are carried out thoroughly and effectively.