Hong Kong buildings authority confirms 10 illegal structures at three properties of Hong Kong justice minister Teresa Cheng

For first time, Buildings Department verifies existence of home enhancements at embattled official’s flat in Repulse Bay and two more units in Sha Tin

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Hong Kong justice minister Teresa Cheng took office on January 6, 2018. Photo: AP

Published: 8:36pm, 26 Jan 2018Updated: 11:10pm, 26 Jan 2018

Hong Kong’s beleaguered justice minister Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah was confirmed on Friday to have illegal structures at three more properties, officials said.

It is the first time the Buildings Department verified the existence of unauthorised structures at the properties. The news followed Cheng’s disclosure on Sunday of potential illegal structures at the locations.

Controversy first erupted on January 6, when the justice minister took office, as her home in Tuen Mun was found to have unauthorised structures, including an illegal basement.

Cheng Yeuk-wah (centre) attending a Legislative Council meeting in Tamar on Wednesday, has faced calls to explain the illegal structures reported at her properties. Photo: Winson Wong

According to a statement by the department on Friday, 10 structures built without the department’s approval were found at the three additional properties – a flat in Repulse Bay and two units in Sha Tin. They included three “actionable” structures and seven that were “non-actionable”.

Only actionable illegal structures need to be removed, but the department said the justice minister would also rectify the other ones.

The three actionable structures included a defective lobby and altered windows at Cheng’s HK$62 million (US$7.9 million) flat at Sea Cliff Mansions in Repulse Bay, as well as a supporting frame for an air conditioner at her property in Kin Ho Industrial Building in Sha Tin.

Hong Kong buildings authority confirms 10 illegal structures at three properties of Hong Kong justice minister Teresa Cheng

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}For first time, Buildings Department verifies existence of home enhancements at embattled official’s flat in Repulse Bay and two more units in Sha Tin

For first time, Buildings Department verifies existence of home enhancements at embattled official’s flat in Repulse Bay and two more units in Sha Tin