Hong Kong’s top leader has defended a management firm’s delay in holding a meeting with owners displaced by the deadly Wang Fuk Court fire, saying such proceedings must be carried out “in accordance with the law”.
Chief Executive John Lee said at a press conference on Tuesday that Hop On Management “It’s always given people the impression that it’s serious,” citing two online briefings last month and agreements on maintenance fee refunds.
“My request is that they should handle all matters in accordance with the law,” Lee added.
Lee was responding to a reporter’s question about whether the government would take any action on the Lands Tribunal’s decision to deny Hop On’s offer to extend the legal term for the meeting of owners.
After receiving a petition from the homeowners of Wang Fuk Court in late April, the firm was originally supposed to call a meeting by May 13 and hold it until June 13.
The Lands Court ruled last week that the delay would affect homeowners’ rights to a meeting. Judge Gary Lam said in his ruling that Hop On remained in breach of its legal obligations and added that it must “meet and hold the meeting as soon as possible”.
Lee said the court had acknowledged the difficulties Hop On faced, from verifying the petition’s 247 signatures to creating a complete record of owner data.
He said some of the people killed in the fire may have been homeowners and that verification certificates would be needed to account for those cases.
“Hop On must make residents understand that it will handle all matters in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that the government would continue to assist the firm.
Following the court ruling, Hop On told HKFP last week that it is “doing its best to carry out its duties in accordance with the law, even in difficult times”.
“Hop On is currently conducting a full review of the decision and will continue its work in verifying the signatures of the owners and identifying a suitable venue, aiming to convene a meeting of owners while protecting the rights and interests of all owners of Wang Fuk Court,” he said.
