Wang Fuk Court's fire contractor admits to be "rubber stamp" of renovation contractor

發佈日期: 2026-04-08 20:28

TVB News

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Wang Fuk Court's fire services installation contractor on Wednesday admitted to have acted as a "rubber stamp" in submitting shutdown notices for the estate's fire services equipment.

The revelation came at the public hearing of the independent committee investigating the Tai Po fire. The public hearing resumed at Central City Gallery on Wednesday.

Victor Dawes, the lead counsel of the independent committee, started questioning Leung Ping-kay, a director of China Status Development and Engineering, another fire services installation contractor of the estate.

China Status was responsible for submitting shutdown notices for fire services equipment at Wang Fuk Court to the Fire Services Department.

Leung admitted that the company acted as a "rubber stamp" for Prestige Construction and Engineering, the estate's renovation contractor, in issuing the shutdown notices.

He said that the company had never inspected work conducted on the fire services equipment.

Asked if the "rubber stamp" practice was carried out at other housing estates, Leung mentioned Mayland Court in Causeway Bay.

Dawes said China Status had applied 85 times to extend the validity of the shutdown period.

A WhatsApp conversation between Leung and Prestige shows Leung said the FSD had required a certificate to be attached to each shutdown notice. Leung said "we cannot hide from them for too long." 

Leung admitted the company had prepared those certificates in advance in case the FSD required them.

Dawes pointed out that China Status was aware to have breached the FSD's regulations but still pressed ahead with their action. Leung agreed.

The hearing is adjourned until Friday, when the first government witness, Keung Sai-ming from the FSD, will testify.