Exclusive | Hong Kong surveyor’s undeclared role prompts rule review after deadly Tai Po fire
Arrested surveyor’s undeclared link to Wang Fuk Court triggers move from the government to tighten potential conflict of interest rules
Hong Kong will tighten declaration-of-interest rules after discovering that a surveyor arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over a deadly fire had failed to disclose his role at the estate ravaged by the blaze to the Housing Department, for which he worked as a service provider, the Post has learned.
The Housing Department’s move to strengthen supervision followed the arrest of 68-year-old Steve Wong Chung-kee in connection with the fatal blaze at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po last November.
Industry leaders have since warned that failing to declare interests could create conflicts and undermine public confidence in the government.
The fire at the estate killed 161 people and displaced nearly 5,000 residents.
“Our existing contracts with service providers already stipulate that all engaged personnel must declare any conflicts of interest and sign an undertaking to comply with the law, confidentiality requirements and terms of appointment,” a department spokesman said in response to the Post.
“However, during the period in which Wong was assigned to the department, he did not make any declarations.”