CoI into Construction Works at and near Hung Hom Station Extension under Shatin to Central Link Project to commence hearing in May
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Preliminary Hearing
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The Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project (Commission) will hold a preliminary hearing at 10am on May 6 (Monday), at the hearing room on 1/F of the former Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building, 70 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories.
At the preliminary hearing, the Commission will deal with, among other things, the procedure and timetable for the inquiry to deal with the expanded part of its terms of reference. Persons whose conduct is the subject of the inquiry, and against whom criticisms might be made, may make application to the Commission to be legally represented in the proceedings. If they wish, persons who are otherwise concerned in the subject matter of the inquiry may make application to the Commission to participate or be legally represented in the proceedings.
The hearing will be open to the public. Live video/audio broadcast of the proceedings will be available at the hearing transmission gallery and the hall area next to the hearing room.
Substantive Hearing
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The Commission plans to hold substantive hearing to take factual evidence in relation to the expanded part of the inquiry at the above-mentioned hearing room from May 27 to June 19, inclusive.
Unless otherwise directed by the Commission, hearing will be conducted from 10am to 1pm and from 2.30pm to 5pm on weekdays that are not general/public holidays. Depending on progress, the Commission may give consideration to holding hearing also on Saturdays.
The dates and times of substantive hearing, and other relevant information will be published on the Commission's website (www.coi-hh.gov.hk/eng) in due course and updated as necessary. The hearing will be open to the public and live video/audio broadcast of the proceedings will be available at the hearing transmission gallery and the hall area next to the hearing room.
The Chief Executive in Council has directed that the determination of any criminal or civil liability of any party (whether individual or legal entity) shall be outside the terms of reference of the Commission.
Any person who has any information relevant to the subject matter of the inquiry is invited to provide such information together with all relevant documents to the Secretariat of the Commission as soon as possible, either by post to 1/F, former Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building, 70 Tai Ho Road, Tsuen Wan, New Territories, or by fax (3427 9692), or by email (secretariat@coi-hh.gov.hk).
Background information
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On July 10, 2018, the Chief Executive in Council appointed the Commission of Inquiry into the Diaphragm Wall and Platform Slab Construction Works at the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project, under the Commissions of Inquiry Ordinance (Chapter 86).
Because of the extensive scope of the inquiry, the complexity of the matters under examination and the large number of witnesses involved, the Commission sought and obtained the approval of the Chief Executive in Council on December 4, 2018, for an extension of time to complete the inquiry and submit its report by February 26, 2019.
On February 19, 2019, the Chief Executive in Council approved an expansion of the terms of reference of the Commission to also ascertain the relevant facts and recommend appropriate improvement measures relating to the irregularities that have recently surfaced in the construction of the North Approach Tunnels, the South Approach Tunnels and the Hung Hom Stabling Sidings under the MTR Corporation Limited's Contract No. 1112. The Commission has been retitled Commission of Inquiry into the Construction Works at and near the Hung Hom Station Extension under the Shatin to Central Link Project to reflect the expanded terms of reference.
The Commission submitted an interim report to the Chief Executive on February 25, 2019, on its findings and recommendations on matters covered by its original terms of reference. The Government published the interim report in redacted form on March 26, 2019. The redacted interim report has been uploaded to the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/theme/coi-hh) and the Commission's website.
Ends/Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Issued at HKT 14:00
Issued at HKT 14:00
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