Over 100 residents demanding the legalizing of unauthorized building works (UBWs) in the New Territories stampeded into a conference room of the Heung Yee Kuk on Tuesday, denouncing Chairman Lau Wong-fat for changing his stance on UBWs, and called for him to step down.

The angry villagers pushed away working staff and broke into the venue, scolding Lau as he stood at the rostrum. Then, they submitted a petition to Lau. The meeting was delayed about half an hour before resuming.

The protestors were incensed that representatives of the Heung Yee Kuk joined in with a government task force in calling for villagers to cooperate with the Development Bureau, by declaring their UBWs. The villagers said they are also dissatisfied with the government's Scheme for UBWs in New Territories Exempted Houses, calling for the cancellation of the scheme.

Lau said after the meeting that he had a clear conscience and dealt with this issue calmly.

He said he will continue to appeal to villagers who have UBWs on their property to report them to the government. The number of unauthorized building reports has already reached 10,000. Lau said he hoped the government would re-examine how many reports are in accord with Building Regulations.

When asked if there are some villagers who refuse to report UBWs, he responded that they must bear the consequences themselves.

The alliance demanding that UBWs be legitimized said members hoped the government could revise the regulations, expanding the list of so-called minor works in the New Territories, claiming this action could resolve the problem of about 100,000 UBWs in the city.

The spokesman for the alliance said the reporting scheme is not pragmatic, adding that it is unfair to require villagers to make professional judgments as to whether newly constructed buildings will be classified as UBWs.

On April 1, the Development Bureau put into effect the enhanced enforcement policy against UBWs in the New Territories. On the fundamental premise of ensuring public and building safety and complying with existing legislation, it has adopted a pragmatic approach in tackling UBWs through categorization of them and prioritization of enforcement.

In September, the bureau extended the deadline under the Scheme for UBWs in New Territories Exempted Houses to December 31.

The Kuk and the Development Bureau have established a task force about UBWs in the New Territories to promote the scheme and to encourage villagers to submit reports on UBWs and facilitate effective implementation of the enforcement policy.

The Development Bureau said the extension was made after considering the Kuk's views and the scheme's progress, adding that it will allow more time for villagers to make reports, and shows the government's commitment to act in accordance with the law and with compassion.

fanfeifei@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 11/21/2012 page1)