The government has admitted doing an inadequate job of inspecting subdivided flats across the city, but vowed to improve building safety following last week's fire in Ma Tau Wai, which claimed four lives.
Lawmaker Starry Lee Wai-king told the legislature yesterday it was shameful that the city not only has subdivided flats, but also some 'coffin-sized units' in tenements in Sham Shui Po.
'These 'coffin-sized units' are stacked on three levels and the occupants of the uppermost level have to climb up and down ladders,' said Lee, of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
'The conditions are appalling, and the occupants can neither stand up nor sit inside the units, but have to crawl like animals when going into or out of them,' she said.
'And the monthly rent for such units can be as high as HK$300 per square foot, which is more expensive than that of the International Finance Centre in Central,' Lee said.
Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing said the government did pay attention to safety in subdivided flats, and promised to further improve the situation.