Hong Kong government must scrap the small-house policy
Research, which shows nearly a quarter of villas built for indigenous villagers may be the result of dodgy deals, should spell the end of the archaic practice
The much-criticised small-house policy has made headlines for the wrong reasons again. According to a land-use concern group, land rights for nearly a quarter of villas built for indigenous villagers in the New Territories are suspected to have been sold to developers through questionable deals.
The allegation is serious and will have profound implications if found to be true. The authorities should look into the matter and follow up accordingly.
The Liber Research Community is to be commended for its hard work. The study has its limitations, but it does give a rough idea of how rampant abuses may be.
The group combed through records of tens of thousands of small houses built over four decades and mapped out some 9,800 villas suspected of being the result of doubtful deals.
The assessment took into account criteria such as the number of units grouped together and whether they were built in the same design and managed as a residential neighbourhood.
