Ruling on Director of Buildings' Complaint

In response to media enquiries, a Government spokesman said today (Thursday) that the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands had looked into a complaint against Director of Buildings, Dr Choi Yu-leuk, that he had asked his staff to estimate the cost of removing the unauthorized building works in a private property which he intended to buy.

Dr Choi has submitted a full explanation on the case. Concerned staff in the Department were interviewed. Dr Choi has confirmed that the unauthorized building works had been removed by the owner concerned at the owner's cost.

Although Dr Choi, as a private citizen, could have lodged a formal complaint to the Buildings Department, he was concerned that he might be complained of abusing his official position to pressurize the seller of the property to remove the works. He therefore decided to seek the removal of the structure by the private owner so as to save the time and resources of the Department in taking enforcement action.

Having considered the findings, Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands (SPEL) concluded that Dr Choi should not have engaged his staff in undertaking the estimation work, as this would prompt the public and his staff to question the purposes of such action.

On the other hand, it is noted that Dr Choi's objective of pursuing the removal of unauthorized building works at the cost of the owner is in accordance with the prevailing policy.

Having consulted the Secretary for the Civil Service, SPEL had directed Dr Choi to repay the cost of the staff time in conducting the estimation work, plus administrative charges.

The Buildings Department has also issued a departmental circular to all staff setting out guidelines on conduct and discipline to supplement the existing circulars on the subject issued by the Civil Service Bureau.

End/Thursday, August 19, 1999

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