Construction Sector Methods Need Review: MTR Head

The outgoing chairman of the MTR Corporation, Frederick Ma, said on Tuesday that poor documentation in construction projects seems to be an industry-wide problem and he called on the sector to review its practices.

He was commenting on reports that a contractor failed to submit on time building and inspection records for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

The rail operator is facing allegations of lax supervision at its Hung Hom Station for the Central-Shatin Link where lots of records have also gone missing.

“The industry itself also has to review its practices. I’m not defending the MTR," he said.

"The MTR definitely has not done right. But the fact that it has also happened in other construction companies which are reputable shocked me,” he said.

Ma refused to say whether the head of Lingnan University’s council, Rex Auyeung, would succeed him as MTR chairman.

But he said whoever takes over as MTR head will face challenges, as it will take time to restore public confidence in the rail operator after a series of construction scandals.

“We have done a lot, but perception is reality. No matter what we do, it doesn’t matter. It is the perception and it takes time to change the perception,” he said.

“To have a new chairman and a new CEO is a good thing for the corporation,” he said.