MTRC project contractors to be called to account

The Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said today that the government has asked contractors linked to MTRC construction scandals to give explanations and to promise to take “serious” action if they were at fault, RTHK reports.

The planned Sha Tin-Central link of the MTRC has been plagued by reports of construction flaws and the government has already appointed a judge-led panel to look into work carried out at Hung Hom Station.
Speaking before going into the weekly Executive Council meeting today, Lam said “the government takes it very seriously about the quality, the professionalism and the integrity of our capital works contractors” and will take serious and comprehensive follow-up actions.
She said the Development Bureau is empowered to take “regulatory action” against companies on the list of approved contractors who are eligible to carry out public works projects. But Lam did not specify what options the department has.

She said the bureau will announce its decision after receiving explanations from the contractors, who she did not name.
Separately, Lam said discussions are in the final stage on the operational arrangements for the Hong Kong section of the cross-border express rail link, but she did not disclose any details.
Meanwhile, Lam said it was regrettable that pro-independence figure Chan Ho-tin had written to US President Donald Trump asking him to target the SAR in the trade war with China.
“Just describing it as inappropriate perhaps has not reflected the public outcry and anger with that sort of actions,” said Lam.

“For somebody to advocate that a foreign government should penalize or punish is really… I just don’t know to use what sort of adjectives to describe this sort of actions,” she said.
“But I noticed that many people in society including those who are normally very moderate commentators said this sort of action should never have happened in Hong Kong.”

“I think the strong sentiment has been expressed by members of the public I can only say that this is deeply regretted and as I said, I don’t think any sensible, reasonable person in Hong Kong will condone that sort of activities.”