Four more Sha Tin flat owners threatened for opposing HK$260m renovation
Photo of Ming Pao’s Kevin Lau who was attacked with meat cleaver allegedly sent to one resident
More death threats appear to have been issued to residents at a Sha Tin estate who are campaigning against contractors who rig tenders in order to win lucrative maintenance projects.
It comes after a HK$260 million maintenance contract left owners of flats at Garden Vista in On King Street facing a bill of up to HK$350,000.
After residents formed the Property Owners' Alliance Against Bid-Rigging, three members were allegedly sent death threats. Now four more members say they have received similar threats in the mail - including a magazine cover of Kevin Lau Chun-to, the former Ming Pao chief editor who was attacked with a meat cleaver in February.
One woman surnamed Lai said her 60-year-old husband received two letters on Wednesday. One contained Lau's picture and the other some white powder.
"The envelope with Lau's image and the unknown powder was intimidating," Lai said, adding her husband later went to hospital to get checked out.
She said she feared for her safety as she often exercised outside alone.
Lai said she was confused about how her address came to be known. "I have not spoken in front of the cameras … but I still won't keep quiet over the maintenance problems."
Another of the latest alleged victims was a woman identified only as Emily. She was said to have received an envelope containing her photograph and a letter filled with foul language. It read: "You smear Garden Vista … Even if you die 100, or 10,000, times, it is still not enough."
The police have been notified of the threats.
Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing, who has been helping the residents' group, said the government must ensure the owners' safety.
The estate's incorporated owners were unavailable for comment yesterday.