Collective oversight to blame in Hong Kong’s CK Asset building scandal: experts

While noting bribery incident is rare, engineers say many workers must have known about subpar work

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The number of main reinforcement bars in structural components was, on average, 10 per cent below approved specifications on the CK Asset project in Kwun Tong, according to the ICAC’s probe. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 1:11pm, 22 May 2025Updated: 9:58pm, 22 May 2025

A bribery scandal involving a 10 per cent shortfall in the number of steel reinforcement bars in a residential project under Hong Kong real estate giant CK Asset is the result of collective and wilful oversight at the construction site, independent engineers have said.

The engineers said on Thursday that the case was rare, but they agreed the government should step up inspections at construction sites.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption said on Wednesday it had arrested 10 people after finding that subcontractors had offered incentives to site supervisors at CK Asset Holdings’ Anderson Road project in Kwun Tong in exchange for lax oversight of subpar steel reinforcement work.

The project consists of six residential towers providing 2,926 flats, including about 1,000 that were designated under a “starter homes” pilot scheme for Hong Kong residents.

While noting that the case was rare, lawmaker and engineer Lo Wai-kwok said he believed the scandal had resulted from staff and workers collectively and deliberately overlooking the problems.

“It is very difficult to say that no one knows about the situation on the construction site. ... and to deceive everyone when all six buildings are found to be unqualified,” he told a radio programme, referring to building standards.