Former Legislator: Building Management Amendment Fails to Address Root Problems
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The government launched a public consultation on amendments to the Buildings Management Ordinance (Cap. 344), with former legislator Kong Yuk-fun expressing strong reservations about the proposals. She argued the recommendations significantly increase the difficulty of building management for property owners without addressing the core issue of owners' lack of confidence in managing their properties . Kong emphasized that Hong Kong citizens have long carried negative experiences regarding building maintenance, and rebuilding public trust requires a comprehensive systemic solution rather than piecemeal amendments to Cap. 344 .
Key Points
- Government issued consultation document on Buildings Management Ordinance amendments, seeking public feedback on proposed changes
- Former legislator Kong Yuk-fun posted on social media platform criticizing the recommendations as overly burdensome for owners
- Key amendments include raising in-person voting thresholds for large procurement and significantly reducing proxy votes
- Electronic voting provisions conspicuously absent despite government's smart city initiatives
- Current Cap. 344 centers on incorporated owners' corporations, leaving non-incorporated buildings inadequately addressed
- Kong previously urged separating legal provisions for incorporated and non-incorporated buildings, with latter comprising over half of Hong Kong's buildings
- Tai Po Kung Fuk Yue fire incident heightened social focus on building management issues
- Hong Kong has approximately 90,000 buildings, with over half requiring regular maintenance attention
Why It Matters
The consultation comes at a critical time as Hong Kong grapples with aging building infrastructure and widespread public skepticism toward building maintenance practices. Kong's pointed critique underscores the disconnect between incremental legislative changes and the fundamental reforms needed to dismantle entrenched tendering manipulation cartels and restore homeowner confidence in building management systems .
The consultation comes at a critical time as Hong Kong grapples with aging building infrastructure and widespread public skepticism toward building maintenance practices. Kong's pointed critique underscores the disconnect between incremental legislative changes and the fundamental reforms needed to dismantle entrenched tendering manipulation cartels and restore homeowner confidence in building management systems .