Independent panel to begin public preliminary hearing in late September over Hong Kong’s Sha Tin-Central rail link scandal
Later sessions will follow in October, with focus on Hung Hom station on the line, and all schedules and documents available to the public
An independent panel of experts investigating the construction scandal in Hong Kong’s most expensive rail project will launch an open preliminary hearing later this month, its secretary has announced.
According to a notice put up on Monday, the hearing over works at the Hung Hom station of the troubled Sha Tin-Central Link will start on September 24 at the former Tsuen Wan Law Courts Building to determine the timetable and procedure of the inquiry.
Without naming the MTR Corporation – owner of the HK$97.1 billion (US$12.4 billion) project – and its contractor Leighton Contractors (Asia), the panel said anyone who was “the subject of the inquiry” could apply to be legally represented in the hearing.
After the preliminary phase, the next substantial round of hearings – also open to the public – will take place in the second half of October on every weekday except public holidays. Depending on the progress, the panel may also consider extra sessions on Saturday mornings.
Session schedules and documents presented will be disclosed to the public. Members of the public are invited to provide information or documents relevant to the panel “as soon as possible”.