Overview
- At the new Legislative Council’s first meeting, Chief Executive John Lee pledged thorough probes by law enforcement and a judge-led independent committee with accountability based on facts.
- To deter bid-rigging, the plan would have the Urban Renewal Authority facilitate contractor selection using pre-vetted lists of consultants and contractors.
- The government also proposes mandatory third-party supervision for large renovations, fire department approval before shutting major fire-safety systems, and a construction-site smoking ban with legislation due within weeks.
- Authorities say non-fire-retardant scaffolding mesh, polyfoam window boards, and some failed alarms worsened the November blaze that killed at least 161 people and displaced thousands.
- Election Committee lawmaker Andrew Lam cautioned that expanded checks and a larger URA role could raise costs and slow projects, calling for deeper discussion of implementation details.