Tai Po fire probe: member alleges rigged proxy votes in management committee election

An inquiry into Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has revealed allegations of rigged proxy votes in the owners’ corporation management committee election at Tai Po’s Wang Fuk Court. Kong Cheung-fat, a committee member re-elected in September 2024, testified that proxy ballots were manipulated to favor certain candidates, including in an election for vice-chairman where his opponent allegedly benefited from pre-filled proxy votes. Kong also criticized the new committee leadership for failing to address these voting irregularities and for inadequate oversight of fire safety issues. The inquiry further exposed that the owners’ corporation did not enforce penalties against Prestige Construction and Engineering, the renovation contractor, despite persistent smoking by workers on site—a violation linked to fire risks. Contradictory fire safety tests were conducted, with some assuring residents of the fire resistance of corrugated boards while others highlighted the flammability of styrofoam materials used in renovations. The former committee chairman, Tsui, testified that attempts to persuade Prestige to use fire-resistant materials and ban smoking on bamboo scaffolding were unsuccessful, as the contractor cited a lack of legal requirements. Additional scrutiny fell on Tai Po district councillor Peggy Wong Pik-kiu, who was accused of gathering residents’ proxy votes ahead of general meetings, raising concerns about the integrity of the election process. The inquiry has previously examined how the use of flammable renovation materials, insufficient fire safety measures, and inadequate government oversight contributed to the disaster. The fire, which began on November 26 and lasted 43 hours, destroyed seven of the eight residential towers at Wang Fuk Court, resulting in 168 deaths and leaving nearly 5,000 residents homeless. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover systemic failures that allowed the tragedy to occur and to hold responsible parties accountable, highlighting the critical need for stronger fire safety regulations and transparent estate management practices in Hong Kong.