The District Court on Wednesday heard that five men allegedly conspired to offer bribes in a bid to secure a major renovation project of a residential building in Kwun Tong.

The five defendants, charged with conspiracy to offer advantages to an agent between September 2022 and January 2023, all pleaded not guilty.

In the opening submissions, the prosecution said three of the defendants – Chong Chun-to, Lam Suet-pin and To Hon-sum – were believed to be key members of a syndicate.

The other two are then chairman of the owners' corporation of Hing Tat Mansion, Cheung Kin-wah, and then member Zhan Qingbo.

The prosecution alleged that Chong, Lam and To sought to offer bribes worth HK$2 million to Cheung, Zhan and other members of the owners' corporation in trying to win the HK$20 million contract.

In exchange, the chairman and member of the owners' corporation were asked to use their positions to have designated firms appointed as the building’s property management company and building works consultant – crucial steps in securing the contract.

The court also heard Chong, Lam and To asked Cheung and Zhan to praise companies linked to them within the owners’ corporation while belittling other contractors that offered lower prices.

The prosecution said the defendants had carefully planned to manipulate the tender process.

It said corruption and big-rigging activities in building renovation works would not only harm homeowners’ interests but also pose a threat to public safety.

The trial continues on Thursday.



Edited by Edmond Fong