Frank Chan Should Quit Over Hung Hom: Abraham Shek

Pro-Beijing lawmaker Abraham Shek has called on Transport Secretary Frank Chan to resign, to take responsibility for the construction scandal at Hung Hom MTR Station.

Shek, who represents the real estate and construction industry, made the comments during a Legco debate on Wednesday on this year's budget.

During the debate, pro-democracy lawmakers tabled a number of amendments to cut the wages of various officials, including Chan. But Shek said that a wage reduction or even an apology from the transport minister would not be sufficient.

"On the one hand, he's monitoring his own department, [and] he's also on the board of directors for the MTR Corporation," said Shek.

"What is meant by the accountability system? I think he's supposed to take up the responsibility, and he shouldn't have failed us," the legislator added.

But engineering sector lawmaker Lo Wai-kwok said a commission of inquiry has already examined the scandal in an objective and detailed way.

Lo said people may have various opinions and criticism, but he thinks they should look ahead at how the government and the MTR implement suggested improvements for future railway projects.

The commission's final report on the controversy was released on Tuesday.

It said Hung Hom MTR Station is safe despite the construction flaws, but there had been "serious deficiencies" on the part of the government, MTR and the main contractor Leighton, including poor craftsmanship, bad management and lax oversight.