Government to handle Wang Fuk fire claims after buyout

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak on Saturday said the government would handle Wang Fuk Court's fire insurance claims once it completes its buyout scheme of the fire-ravaged Tai Po estate.

"At the end of the day, we have to find out, firstly, will there be any compensation," she told a radio programme on Saturday.

"And secondly, if there is compensation, will it really be that much, or how will the compensation be made.

"When an insurance claim is filed, the insurance company has to find out who is responsible, and whether there was any criminal activity involved. This is how complicated the matter is."

However, Mak said an owner’s right to file claims under other policies, such as third-party liability insurance, remains unaffected.

Mak also said the management company appointed to oversee affairs at the estate had assumed full responsibility in its role.

Hop On Management held an extraordinary general meeting for owners at four locations across Hong Kong soon after the Lands Tribunal had, in early June, dismissed its request to postpone such a meeting due to unprecedented challenges.

When asked about owners' concerns that the company had not directly addressed issues that they raised, Mak said some of the inquiries fell outside Hop On's remit.

"From media reports, we can see that issues raised by property owners went beyond Hop On's statutory responsibilities," she said after the programme.

"The company has stated that it will forward these concerns to the relevant departments. It has fulfilled its duties as the property manager."

Mak said Hop On had received more than 800,000 documents from the former management company for the residential estate and was attending to matters such as maintenance fee refunds and other contractual obligations.

Edited by Robert Kemp ...