John Lee Says Mandatory Building Inspection Regime Has Shortcomings and Must Be Reformed and Strengthened

Chief Executive John Lee says the Tai Po Wang Fuk Court fire began with bid-rigging, and legislation must be introduced to prohibit bid-rigging in building maintenance works; he says persons with suspicious backgrounds, including triad members, manipulated the outcome and colluded with consulting professionals and contractors in corruption and malpractice. He says the mandatory building inspection regime has shortcomings and must be reformed and strengthened, and the reform must simultaneously target professionals and contractors fulfilling their responsibilities, as well as strict supervision, investigation and enforcement by government departments. The current regime began in 2011, and the government will carry out a comprehensive reform based on the committee's report.