The Government today rebuked the unfounded accusations regarding follow-up actions on incidents concerning the Shatin to Central Link project’s construction quality made by a person who is not familiar with prosecution procedure.
 
In a statement, the Government pointed out that the person repeatedly disregarded facts and made sweeping attacks on the Commission of Inquiry to mislead the public.
 
To set the record straight, the Government reiterated that the investigations and prosecution work on the project are still ongoing. 
 
It also emphasised that Police are still conducting relevant criminal investigations and the possibility of further prosecutions has not been ruled out.

The Government made it clear that it will take appropriate actions according to the project entrustment agreement with the MTR Corporation (MTRC).
 
It explained that separately, after consulting the Department of Justice (DoJ), the Buildings Department (BD) instigated prosecution action against the contractor of the construction works at the Hung Hom Stabling Sidings under the project for material deviation from the approved plans in accordance with the provision of the Buildings Ordinance.
 
The Government specified that the court had earlier handed down a judgment of conviction and the DoJ has already lodged an application to review the sentence with the Magistrates' Courts.
 
The BD will also refer the case to the Contractors' Disciplinary Board for instigating disciplinary proceedings.
 
The Government stressed that the commission was appointed by the Chief Executive in Council on July 10, 2018 under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance to inquire the project’s construction quality incidents.
 
As for the remarks questioning the commission’s work, the Government said the commission has already submitted a final report to the then Chief Executive on March 27, 2020.
 
It also established an Expert Adviser Team on August 15, 2018, for comprehensively reviewing the project management system of the MTRC as well as recommending the MTRC and relevant government departments additional managing and monitoring measures necessary in taking forward the project.
 
The Government noted that it and the MTRC had fully followed up and implemented all the recommendations proposed by the commission and the Expert Adviser Team, before the commissioning of the project.
 
It added that thorough and serious follow-up actions were taken in ensuring the construction quality, the station’s operational safety and the pursuit of legal liability of the incidents.