Chief Executive John Lee said the government will roll out comprehensive reforms to address shortcomings exposed by the Wang Fuk Court fire.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Lee said the reforms will cover seven areas.

"The reforms that we roll out now are comprehensive reforms. We are restructuring departments so that they will enforce both inspection and also take legal action seriously," he said.

"And we see in this case a series of events that happened resulting in this tragedy, and the things that we are rolling out now address each and every one of them."

First, authorities will crack down on bid-rigging activities in building maintenance projects by establishing specific criminal offences and incorporating them into the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance.

"This will empower law enforcement agencies to exercise statutory authority against suspects, including summoning individuals for questioning, demanding the submission of documents or materials, freezing assets, and confiscating proceeds of crime," he said.

The government will amend the law to empower the Competition Commission to combat bid-rigging through a mix of criminal and civil enforcement measures.

The commission will also team up with police and the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in the formation of an inter-departmental task force. The agencies will conduct joint investigations, strengthen intelligence gathering and information exchange.

To assist homeowners, an authority will be established to provide independent, reliable, and professional advice on building maintenance. It will take up all related services currently provided by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).

Authorities will also review and reform the regulatory frameworks for building maintenance projects to better clarify roles and responsibilities, and to strengthen regulation of professionals and contractors by introducing stiffer penalties.

The Buildings Department will be restructured to strengthen its leadership and supervisory roles, while improving collaboration with the Independent Checking Unit (ICU) under the Housing Bureau.

A centralised database will be established to facilitate information sharing across government departments, such as past convictions and cases of professional misconduct in relation to building maintenance work.

"The government will also reform the existing complaint mechanism concerning building maintenance. The system will be integrated into the centralised database, utilising artificial intelligence to analyse and monitor the progress and outcomes... to ensure that public complaints are addressed appropriately," Lee said.

Finally, a steering committee, chaired by Chief Secretary Eric Chan, will be established to ensure the independent committee's 120 recommendations on the Wang Fuk Court inferno are implemented thoroughly and effectively.
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Last updated: 2026-10-29 HKT 16:54


Edited by Aaron Tam