HK reforms to restrain graft in building works

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's new measures aim to rectify institutional deficiencies identified by an independent committee after the Wang Fuk Court fire in November 2025. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu publicly apologized and accepted the resignation of the Secretary for Housing, Winnie Ho Wing-yin, who took political responsibility for the tragedy.

Key reforms include criminalizing bid-rigging, which authorities consider a root cause of problems in building maintenance projects. Proposed penalties for bid-rigging include up to 10 years in prison and fines calculated using a HK$10 million ceiling or formulas linked to illicit gains or local turnover. A cross-departmental task force will be established to enforce these changes, alongside tightened building maintenance regulations and departmental restructuring.

A significant initiative is the proposed Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, intended to offer independent, reliable, and professional services to property owners during maintenance and renovation. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po reported that HK$300 million has been allocated for the council's startup and to subsidize property owners, with operations targeted to begin by the end of this year. This council, alongside a new steering committee, aims to enhance supervision and drive reforms.