Ex-airport executive denies bribery over runway contracts
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago6 MIN
Summary
A former Airport Authority executive, Yan Kwok-keung (殷國強), has gone on trial in the District Court after denying one count of conspiracy for a public servant to accept an advantage. Prosecutors allege that while overseeing reclamation works for Hong Kong International Airport's three-runway system, he accepted RMB630,000 from Kar Lok Engineering director Ng Kai-on (吳啟安) to help buy a flat in Zhuhai. The prosecution says the payment was made as a reward for helping the subcontractor obtain favourable treatment and work opportunities on the project, including recommendations, reduced inspections and priority arrangements. The trial opened on September 9 and was adjourned to continue the next day
Key Points
- Prosecutors said Yan joined the Airport Authority in 2016 as deputy general manager of the reclamation works department, later renamed the airfield construction department, and was later promoted to general manager.
- The court heard Yan had authority to recommend subcontractors and material suppliers, while supervising the quality and progress of reclamation works contractors on the three-runway project.
- Kar Lok Engineering was awarded one seawall contract and three major reclamation-related jobs worth a total of HK$410 million, after Ng had known Yan since their earlier work connection at Arup.
- According to prosecution witnesses from Kar Lok, Ng described Yan and three other senior project figures as a “gang of four” who helped secure the seawall job, so they had to be paid from project profits.
- Prosecutors alleged Ng avoided cash because Yan was cautious, and instead paid the RMB630,000 deposit and down payment for Flat 608 in a Zhuhai building, with part remitted to Liu Xiaoyu's mainland account.
Why It Matters
The case goes to the integrity of procurement and site supervision on one of Hong Kong's biggest infrastructure projects, where recommendations, inspections and payment arrangements could affect competition among subcontractors. For Hong Kong readers, the trial may shape public confidence in how the Airport Authority and major contractors managed oversight during the three-runway expansion.