Allegations span 30 years and focus on Hong Kong Island village
PHILA.SIU@SCMP.COM
UPDATED : Thursday, 09 June, 2016, 2:56pm
A view of Tung Ah Pui Village. Photo: FactWire News
Hong Kong’s development bureau chief has launched a probe into allegations that a former senior official and wealthy businessmen have been illegally occupying more than 89,000 square feet of government land along a coast of southern Hong Kong Island for over 30 years.
Secretary for Development Paul Chan Mo-po pledged on Thursday that no matter the backgrounds of those allegedly involved, the government would follow up in accordance with the law.
“I have already instructed the Lands Department to look into this issue. No matter who are involved, whatever their backgrounds are, what did they did in the past, we will handle and follow up in accordance with the law in a serious manner,” Chan said.
Development minister Paul Chan Mo-po, pictured in Legco last year, said a probe was under way. Photo: David Wong
The development minister issued his remarks afterFactWire reported that former assistant commissioner for labour Mak Sai-yiu, who retired from the civil service in 1996, has been living in Tung Ah Pui Village in Tai Tam Bay on southern Hong Kong Island since 1981.
Mak lives in a single-storey house with a garden, dock, and even a beach. The property covers 9,700 square feet of government land. The former civil servant and other occupants in the village have reportedly turned squatter huts into luxurious residences.
Mak admitted the land he occupied belonged to the government. But he stated he purchased the structure from a village resident in the 1980s.
An aerial view of the village along Tai Tam Bay on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. Photo: FactWire News
When asked if he believed he was breaking the law, Mak said:“I don’t think so. What law am I breaking? If I was (breaking the law), the government would definitely (send people) here.”
He insisted he had not rebuilt the hut and that he had only improved it. As an example, he said he reinforced the structure, originally built of wood, with cement.
Chan on Thursday said that in general significant alterations such as “structural changes and the change of materials” were not allowed to be carried out in registered squatters.
But he also said that to date he had seen no evidence to back allegations the government had deliberately turned a blind eye to the occupations because a senior official and wealthy businessmen were involved.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/1970475/luxury-squatters-probe-over-89000-sq-ft-government-land
