Hong Kong engineers demand institution president quit as fallout from Sha Tin-Central link scandal continues
- Members of professional body accuse Ringo Yu of damaging industry’s reputation
- President had issued statement saying platforms at Hung Hom were safe, despite government investigation still taking place
A group of Hong Kong engineers have demanded the head of their professional body be removed for his handling of a row over a construction scandal at the city’s most expensive railway project, the Sha Tin-Central link.
The group of eight members on Sunday also accused the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers of using delaying tactics to block their bid to convene a special general meeting, so members could vote on a no-confidence motion against president Ringo Yu Shek-man.
Yu, who made an unexpected appearance at the press conference hosted by the engineers, denied the accusations, and said there were proper procedures to follow. Yu said he respected different views presented by members.
“We [and our critics] share the views that it was important to safeguard the public interest and the profession’s reputation,” Yu said.
The two-hour press conference boiled down to a debate between both sides over the procedural details of convening a special general meeting, with Yu’s critics remaining unconvinced about why it took so long for the institution to sort out the formalities.
The saga began in January when the institution issued a statement that claimed the new platforms at the troubled Hung Hom station were structurally sound, despite the fact the government investigation into the scandal was ongoing.