Hong Kong fire: Call to expedite resettlement plans

Hong Kong's Tai Po district councilors urged the special administrative region government on Tuesday to expedite resettlement plans and provide a clear timeline for fire-hit Wang Fuk Court residents, as government officials pledged to assess various proposals.

The deadly blaze that broke out on Nov 26 has to date claimed 161 lives and displaced nearly 2,000 households.

The Tai Po District Council convened its first meeting since the fire on Tuesday to discuss the aftermath of the blaze and support work arrangements for the affected residents.

The meeting, attended by all 22 district councilors and several government officials, began with a solemn moment of silence.

Peggy Wong Pik-kiu, a district councilor who previously served as an adviser to Wang Fuk Court's owners' corporation committee and faced questions over her alleged involvement in the estate's maintenance tender process, expressed her profound condolences during the meeting and noted that many affected elderly residents wish to reclaim their homes.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption is investigating possible corruption in Wang Fuk Court's renovation project.

Wong urged the government to swiftly establish a timetable and plan to identify land in Tai Po for resettlement. "Residents have expressed that their greatest hope is that replacement housing will be located close to Wang Fuk Court, as many elderly residents have to care for grandchildren or attend medical appointments," Wong said.

Another district councilor, Lo Hiu-fung, also called for clarity on medium — to long-term resettlement plans, suggesting using a ready to develop site on Chung Nga Road, about 2 kilometers away from Wang Fuk Court, for relocation. By doing so, the rebuilding process would be completed by 2030 or earlier, Lo said.

District councilor Mui Siu-fung urged reopening the Kwong Fuk Estate bus terminus that has remained out of service since the disaster due to its proximity to the fire site.

Mui also called for lifting the blockade of all eight buildings in the estate to allow residents to retrieve valuable personal belongings.

In a social media post on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun said the authorities are actively studying the long-term resettlement plan for the residents, and will comprehensively consider all factors, take into account individual circumstances and wishes of the residents, and make good use of resources to assist the affected families in rebuilding their homes.

The Hospital Authority has waived full fees for all healthcare services for people injured in the fire. As of Dec 30, 67 of the 79 patients who received treatment at public hospitals had been discharged. The remaining 12 are in stable condition, the authorities said.

The total amount of the Support Fund for Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, established by the SAR government after the fire, reached HK$4.1 billion ($526.48 million) as of late December, with about HK$1.2 billion being spent on launching various programs to support the affected people.

Also on Tuesday, the Lands Tribunal dissolved the Wang Fuk Court's owners' corporation committee at the government's request, and appointed Hop On Management Company, a subsidiary of Chinachem Group, as the new administrator of the estate.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday evening, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak Meikuen said Hop On will only temporarily assume the duties of the original owners' corporation committee, and major decisions will be made by homeowners through owners' meetings.

"We hope that with the assistance of professionals, residents' welfare and benefits will be safeguarded,"Mak said.