Legco Obliged To Probe MTR Fiasco: Lam Cheuk-ting

Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting said on Saturday that the Legislative Council has a duty to investigate the shoddy construction work fiasco at the MTR's Hung Hom station.

Pro-establishment legislator Ben Chan had said a judge-led independent committee would be more objective than a committee set up under Legco's Powers and Privileges Ordinance. But Lam disagreed although he said he supported such an investigation too.

Last week, media reports revealed that steel bars used at the station expansion had been cut short to hide the fact they had not been fitted properly.

Lawmakers have asked for an investigation into the incident. Chan explained that there would be different stances in a Legco committee and so it would be hard to get to the facts. However, Lam begged to differ.

"I support an independent investigation committee led by a judge to fully investigate the matter," Lam said.

"But I do think it is the duty of the Legislative Council to investigate the matter on behalf of the general public, especially we have to monitor the government whether the government departments have fulfilled their duties to supervise such an important project. The government can contract out the project but they cannot contract out their duties," he added.