Conflict of interest fears loom over Hong Kong golf course takeover for housing as advisers revealed to be club members

Ahead of city’s task force on land supply discussing private recreational sites, Post learns four influential figures have lobbied or approached panel to oppose building flats on exclusive New Territories course

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The 18th hole of the Old Course at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Photo: SCMP

Published: 10:32am, 21 Jan 2018Updated: 10:56pm, 21 Jan 2018

Government land advisers will be urged to be upfront about any potential conflict of interest before mulling over plans to develop a Hong Kong golf course for housing, as it emerged that the committee’s vice-chair and another member belongs to an exclusive golf club.

Sources also told the Post that four people, who include former and current senior executives at statutory corporations, have lobbied or approached members of the government-appointed Task Force on Land Supply to oppose building flats on the 170-hectare course in Fanling.

The task force was due to meet on Saturday to discuss whether private recreational sites, including golf courses, should be considered for development to ease the city’s housing shortage.

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The meeting was postponed from last Tuesday to give the government more time to prepare papers for the discussion.

Task force chairman Stanley Wong Yuen-fai said he would ask members to make a formal declaration of interest before the meeting if they belonged to the Hong Kong Golf Club or any other recreational club.

In addition, Wong would ask whether anyone had been approached by or had formal discussions with any parties linked to the golf course.