Property consultant denies bribery conspiracy over renovation tender
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago5 MIN
Summary
A 75-year-old senior property consultant, Ho Po-tim (何波添), pleaded not guilty in the District Court to one count of conspiracy to offer an advantage to an agent over the renovation project at Kwun Yick Building Phase II, a contract later awarded at more than HK$76 million. Prosecutors allege he told the owners’ corporation secretary that unnamed people wanted to “co-operate” and were prepared to share roughly 30% of the project profit if the secretary used his influence to sway the contractor selection.
Key Points
- The charge alleges Ho conspired with unidentified persons between September 29, 2021 and August 13, 2022 to offer secretary Ko Man-hin Justin an advantage equal to 30% of renovation profits.
- Prosecutors said Kwun Yick Building Phase II’s owners’ corporation had been preparing the major repair and refurbishment project since late 2014, with Pro-Sense Consultants Limited chosen in May 2021 as maintenance consultant.
- A tender document submitted to the Urban Renewal Authority in August 2021 estimated the works at HK$78.75 million, while an independent consultant later assessed the cost at about HK$77.11 million.
- The prosecution said Ko reported Ho to the ICAC on the night of an encounter in September 2021, after Ho allegedly said a contractor would share nearly 30% of profits if the works were secured.
- The ICAC monitored a January 26, 2022 phone call in which Ho allegedly said people behind him wanted Ko to use his influence to affect the contractor choice; Ho was arrested on September 27, 2022.
Why It Matters
The case centres on whether influence inside an owners’ corporation was targeted during a high-value building repair tender, an issue with direct relevance to flat owners facing major maintenance costs in Hong Kong. The trial is continuing in the District Court, where the prosecution said it will rely on conversations between Ho and Ko as well as Ho’s cautioned statement.