MTR Probe Adjourns Over Leighton Study Row

A government-appointed inquiry looking into a construction scandal at the Hung Hom station of the MTR’s Shatin-to-Central link was adjourned on Monday, after the rail operator alleged that an expert report issued by a main contractor of causing “procedural unfairness”.

The MTR said the report issued by Leighton Asia was aimed at exonerating them of any responsibility.

The commission's chairman, Michael Hartmann, said any threat in relation to procedural unfairness should be taken seriously. He said he would allow time for relevant parties to study the matter.

A general manager of Leighton was supposed to give evidence on Monday. That has been rescheduled for a later date.

The hearing will resume on Tuesday.

The commission was set up after reports that reinforcement bars for a platform slab were deliberately cut short, sparking fears the project was unsafe. It was also revealed later that workers had trimmed a diaphragm wall without informing authorities.

The commission’s term was extended after the panel was asked to look into reports that contractors had failed to hand in key records when building the station's approach tunnels and secondary tracks.