THE ombudsman has promised to consider expanding his jurisdiction to cover the Housing Society in view of mounting public criticism against the self-governing body.
The society, set up in 1948, has retained a low profile and attracted minimal public attention until recent years when it was appointed to run the sandwich-class housing scheme.
Critics have pointed fingers at the society after the deadly landslip in July at its property in Kwun Lung Lau Estate, Kennedy Town. Five people were killed.
Initial inquiries suggested the collapsed retaining wall could have been too thin, despite the society's claim that inspections showed it to be safe.
The society is not under the jurisdiction of the ombudsman, nor is it responsible to the Executive or Legislative councils.
A spokesman for the ombudsman, whose official title is the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints, said: 'We are constantly collecting public views from various channels, including those expressed in newspapers.
'Our power has been extended to cover the Housing Authority. At present, the Housing Society is not under our jurisdiction. But the commissioner will examine all the views and take them into account when he is reviewing his jurisdiction.' Housing groups and legislators welcomed the move.