21st December 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Hong Kong government has defended its decision to appoint Hop On Management Company, a Chinachem Group subsidiary, as temporary manager of Wang Fuk Court following the deadly fire, stressing that major post‑disaster decisions will ultimately rest with flat owners.
Authorities earlier applied to the Lands Tribunal to dissolve the existing management committee of the Wang Fuk Court owners’ corporation and to appoint Hop On as interim administrator to take charge of a broad range of post‑fire management tasks. Speaking on a radio programme this morning, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs Alice Mak said the tribunal had already handled part of the necessary legal procedures and would allow time for the current committee to submit any further views or representations. She anticipated that the tribunal would issue its initial assessment in early January.
Mak emphasised that once the Lands Tribunal approves the government’s application, Hop On will formally assume its role and begin work. The company will examine the current situation at Wang Fuk Court and draw up proposals for handling existing contracts, insurance policies and related matters. In accordance with the Building Management Ordinance, it will then convene a general meeting of owners, where the final decisions on those proposals will be taken by the owners themselves.
Outlining the rationale for the government’s move, Mak said the circumstances facing residents affected by the fire varied significantly across the estate’s eight blocks, with at least one block, Wang Chi Court, not directly impacted by the blaze. At the same time, the owners’ corporation must grapple with complex legal and contractual issues, including fire safety, security and landscaping contracts for each block, as well as insurance claims. Officials concluded that such matters went beyond what an ordinary volunteer management committee could reasonably manage, particularly as the existing property management company assisting with contracts is due to see its agreement expire at the end of the year, with no clarity on renewal. To ensure continuity of the corporation’s operations and support owners in making informed choices, the government opted to appoint a professional team.
Mak added that, once the tribunal gives the green light, Hop On will request from the current committee all relevant records, including contracts, bank account balances and insurance documentation. It will also consult external professionals such as solicitors, accountants and surveyors before presenting owners with structured recommendations on how to deal with contracts, policies and other key arrangements in light of the estate’s present condition.
She underlined that the appointment of a temporary manager is intended solely to replace the management committee, not to strip the owners’ corporation or individual owners of their legal rights. All subsequent work undertaken by the administrator – including the convening of meetings and decisions on the use of maintenance and reserve funds – must be conducted strictly in accordance with the Building Management Ordinance. For example, any general meeting must be notified to all owners at least 14 days in advance, with the agenda circulated beforehand, and any proposed services requiring the use of corporation funds must go through appropriate procurement procedures.
Responding to criticism that the appointment was made without open tender, Mak said the decision had been taken in line with statutory procedures and after weighing multiple factors, including professional capability and the need to minimise the financial burden on owners. She noted that Hop On has been operating for nearly four decades and possesses substantial expertise and experience in property management. The company, she said, regards assistance to disaster‑hit residents as a form of social service and will not charge the owners’ corporation for its work, as additional service costs will be covered by charitable funds.
Under the terms of the appointment, Hop On will be required to submit progress reports to the Lands Tribunal every three months. It will also organise briefings at different locations for affected residents and set up a dedicated hotline to maintain communication with owners and explain ongoing work and proposed arrangements.
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