Alice Tai says she does not have the power to stop demolition
The ombudsman yesterday said she had no plans to investigate the Hunghom Peninsula development - pointing out it was largely beyond her jurisdiction - and admitted that even if she could, she had no powers to stop its demolition.
Alice Tai Yuen-ying told lawmakers an investigation by her office into the sale to developers of the never-occupied harbourfront flats, which they intend to demolish and replace with more profitable luxury flats, would raise more questions than answers.
She also said there were insufficient grounds at present for ombudsman's investigations into the West Kowloon cultural district or the privatisation of Housing Authority shopping centres and parking spaces through the Link real estate investment trust (reit).
The law bars the ombudsman from investigating government land grants and commercial transactions. Ms Tai said her office would be making recommendations on whether to expand the ombudsman's jurisdiction following a review next year.
The ombudsman said she had been monitoring developments concerning the Hunghom Peninsula and the Link listing but 'it is not a straightforward situation where the ombudsman has clear jurisdiction to investigate'.
