Development Secretary Rejects Policy U-Turn Over Homeowner Repair Agency

Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho denied accusations of a policy reversal concerning a dedicated agency to assist flat owners with building repair tenders, clarifying that the planned council's scope differs from a previous stance. She noted that the Building Maintenance Support and Services Council is set to be established by the close of this year.

Assembled News DeskOctober 31, 20261 min readIt’s 5:56 PM in Beijing

AI illustration based on reference photographs; not an event photograph. An editorial illustration of a conceptual governmental structure with a policy proposal resting on a dark surface, symbolizing policy deliberation. — AI-generated illustration

According to the South China Morning Post, Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho refuted claims that the government has made a policy U-turn regarding the creation of a specific agency intended to aid flat owners with building repair tenders, asserting that the planned scope of the agency is fundamentally different from a position held a decade ago.

During a press conference on Friday, Bernadette Linn Hon-ho provided details about the functions of the Building Maintenance Support and Services Council, which is scheduled to be established before the end of this year. When questioned about whether this development contradicted prior government statements, she stated that she maintains reservations about setting up an independent building maintenance authority. She further commented that she has always held reservations about merging law enforcement functions with support and assistance, citing an inherent contradiction between the two roles.

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