MTR Scandal Could Have Involved Dishonesty

An MTR subcontractor has suggested to RTHK that the shoddy work scandal at the Shatin to Central Link's Hung Hom Station may involve "dishonest behaviour" and "collusion" between some personnel of the main contractor, Leighton, and another subcontractor which it did not name.

China Technology Corporation, the subcontractor responsible for pouring concrete after steel reinforcement bars had been installed by another subcontractor on the platform, confirmed that it had requested a meeting between the government, Leighton and the MTR Corporation last September.

It said immediately after the request was made, Leighton asked for a private meeting with its management – which ended up lasting for three days and in "really bad" atmosphere most of the time.

The subcontractor said they spent most of the time discussing issues relating to the scandal - where some steel bars had been cut short to make it look like they had been screwed properly into couplers on a platform. It said Leighton eventually promised to take remedial action.

China Technology said that judging from recent reports, it doubted whether the problem has been rectified. But it said it cannot disclose more details since it was bound by a confidentiality agreement.

The company also said it believed the government, the MTR Corporation and "some reliable staff" at Leighton and other subcontractors were innocent.

China Technology's revelation came after the government confirmed that the company had asked for the joint meeting, but the firm withdrew the request three days later.