Outside In | To root out corruption, Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire investigation must go beyond scapegoats

Public procurement failures often reflect government responsibility, and Hong Kong’s fire investigation must confront that reality

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Members of the independent investigation committee of the Wang Fuk Court fire, wearing protective suits, inspect the fire scene on December 23. Photo: Jelly Tse

Published: 4:30pm, 9 Jan 2026

Alongside death and taxes, there are few things more universally certain than corruption in public procurement.

That is a reality worth keeping front of mind in Hong Kong as we home in on those we want to blame for the tragic Wang Fuk Court fire that in November killed at least 161 people and left thousands homeless. The maintenance contracts may not have been public procurement contracts, but they were supposed to be strictly overseen by officials and subject to government regulations. Government shortcomings require exacting scrutiny, just as the behaviour of private contractors does.

At least 21 have been arrested and investigations by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) continue. Former Hong Kong Bar Association chairman Victor Dawes has been appointed as lead counsel to an independent investigating committee. How far will the culpability net spread?

I am in the Philippines at the moment, which is reeling from the discovery of pervasive corruption, in particular in flood control projects meant to protect lives. Investigations suggest US$12-24 billion a year in taxpayer funds have been siphoned away, particularly from Department of Public Works and Highways projects.

At least nine Philippine senators and former senators are reportedly under investigation, along with 30 current and former members of the House of Representatives, six former undersecretaries, five former cabinet or agency heads and an uncounted number of government officials and private contractors.

Culpable self-enrichment seems to have crept up to the very highest levels of government, at huge cost to ordinary Filipinos. “They’re not just plundering government coffers: they’re also crippling the ability of millions of Filipinos to survive in the face of an escalating climate crisis,” said Greenpeace campaigner Jefferson Chua.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Outside In | To root out corruption, Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire investigation must go beyond scapegoats

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Public procurement failures often reflect government responsibility, and Hong Kong’s fire investigation must confront that reality

Outside In | To root out corruption, Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire investigation must go beyond scapegoats

Public procurement failures often reflect government responsibility, and Hong Kong’s fire investigation must confront that reality