Hong Kong authorities and professional bodies have stepped up investigations into the city’s deadliest fire in decades and have started taking disciplinary action against any parties found to have breached regulations, the Post has learned.
The probes follow last month’s blaze at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court housing estate, which killed at least 160 people, including a firefighter, and left nearly 5,000 homeless. Six people remain uncontactable.
So far, 21 people have been arrested by police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Searches by the Post have revealed the specific professional licences held by the companies and directors now under scrutiny or under arrest. The investigations focus on a complex web of liability involving the project’s key stakeholders.
Project consultant Will Power Architects Company was a key player, alongside main contractor Prestige Construction and Engineering, property manager ISS EastPoint Properties and the estate’s owners’ corporation. Subcontractors such as Victory Fire Engineering were responsible for maintaining the estate’s fire safety systems.
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) on Friday removed Prestige and Will Power from its building rehabilitation company registration scheme, a database that assesses whether consultants and contractors have the related mechanisms or systems in quality management, professional services and customer services for performing building rehabilitation work.
Citing its handbook, the URA said that when registered companies became the subject of complaints or “negative mass media reports” involving arrests or hearings by law enforcement agencies, the ICAC or the Competition Commission over declared violations, convictions or disciplinary records, the authority “will revoke their registrations”.
The authority confirmed it acted after media reports emerged, following the establishment of a joint investigation team and multiple arrests made in connection with the November 26 tragedy.
The 21 suspects include key directors across the supply chain. Among them are Will Power directors Wong Hap-yin and Ng Yeuk, and Prestige directors Ho Kin-yip and Hau Wa-kin, and authorised signatory Steve Wong Chung-kee.
The Security Bureau, which regulates the security industry, confirmed that under the Security and Guarding Services Ordinance, police were empowered to investigate cases of non-compliance.
“In case of non-compliance of the permit or licence conditions or substandard services by the licensees, the police will take appropriate action ... including revocation of permits or licences,” the bureau said.
ISS EastPoint holds a Type I security company licence, allowing it to provide security guard services. Lai Wing-lee was ISS EastPoint’s representative and the property manager in Wang Fuk Court.
The Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) also confirmed to the Post that Lai, identified in estate meeting minutes, held a Tier 1 property management practitioner licence and served as the property manager overseeing the estate.
Cheng Tsz-ying, previously listed as a property officer of ISS EastPoint in earlier meeting minutes, also shares the same Chinese name as two property management practitioners holding Tier 2 licences.
The PMSA said it would “seriously follow up on any suspected breaches” of the ordinance. If an investigation established a disciplinary offence, the PMSA said it might conduct a hearing and issue orders against the licensee ranging from a verbal warning to “suspending or revoking [the] licence”.
Under the PMSA’s general code of conduct, a licensee “must not commit misconduct or neglect in a professional respect”.
International bodies are also taking action. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) confirmed that Will Power director Wong Hap-yin was a member.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy ... We are aware of his arrest in connection with the Wang Fuk Court fire,” a spokesman said. “We have begun an investigation into the conduct of our member under our disciplinary regulations.”
Its regulations note that potential outcomes for misconduct range from no case to answer to expulsion from the institute. The CIOB is a global professional body that promotes standards and professional ethics in the science and practice of building and construction.
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (East Asia Branch), where Ng Yeuk is listed as a member, told the Post that while it had disciplinary procedures, any action “would await the finalisation of any criminal or other public investigations”.
The institute added that, given the ongoing government investigation, it would not be appropriate to comment on the alleged involvement of those arrested.
The institute’s rules state that significant breaches of its code of professional and ethical conduct amount to professional misconduct.
The Fire Services Department is reviewing the status of Victory Fire Engineering, the subcontractor tasked with the estate’s fire safety systems maintenance.
The department said that the company remained on the lists of registered fire service installation contractors and those willing to sell approved portable equipment as of mid-November. Victory’s director, Chung Kit-man, was also registered on the lists.
The department said that in general, cases of non-compliance by contractors would be referred to a disciplinary board that handled such cases.
Victory Fire Engineering is also listed as a provisional registered plumbing contractor with the Water Supplies Department. Victory director Chung was also an authorised representative for the company on the list.
A department spokesman said the authority would “take appropriate enforcement actions against any confirmed malpractices violating the relevant provisions” of the Waterworks Ordinance as the investigation progressed.
Searches by the Post indicate that Ng Yeuk is a registered architect, an authorised person and a registered inspector (architect).
The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), of which Will Power is a registered practice and Ng is a member, said on Monday that it had initiated disciplinary proceedings against the firm under Article 24A of its rules.
In a reply to the Post, the institute said it had “reason to believe” the company failed to uphold Principles 1 and 2 of its code of professional conduct, which require professional competence and integrity.
The HKIA cited “widespread media reports”, the URA’s actions and arrests by the ICAC as grounds for the disciplinary proceedings.
It had earlier expressed “deep condolences” to the families of the victims and concern over risk management in renovation works, according to its website.
The Architects Registration Board’s code of conduct stipulates that a registered architect “shall have a proper regard for the safety and well-being of all those who may be expected to use or enjoy the result of his or her efforts”.
The board said it would reply at an appropriate time.
According to the Buildings Department’s registries on the status of registered building professionals and contractors, Prestige remained a general building contractor offering services in building safety as of Wednesday.
The department reiterated that any registered contractor who contravened the relevant provisions of the Buildings Ordinance when carrying out building works, who was convicted by a court of an offence related to such works, or who had been negligent or guilty of misconduct would face enforcement action.
Such action might include criminal prosecution and disciplinary proceedings under the ordinance.
Solicitor and lawmaker Doreen Kong Yuk-foon warned of the severe consequences for professionals involved.
“If it involves professional misconduct, their professional qualifications ... could be revoked,” she said. “If they are convicted of a criminal offence, their professional licences will almost certainly be lost.”
The Post has contacted all relevant authorities and bodies for comment. -- SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
