(Dec 2): Hong Kong’s leader John Lee pledged to launch an independent committee over the city’s deadliest fire in nearly eight decades, while vowing to crackdown on forces that “sabotage” social unity.
“We have to expose the truth, do everyone justice and make sure the deceased can rest in peace,” said Lee on Tuesday, standing behind a black background and wearing a dark tie. “We should turn our anger and sorrow into the power of reform.”
A judge will lead the committee to review systemic causes behind the fire and its results will be made public, Lee said, while confirming legislative elections planned for Dec 7 would go ahead.
An independent committee could carry less weight and accountability than a Commission of Inquiry. The latter has subpoena powers similar to a court, and can compel witnesses to testify under oath, whereas a generic committee relies on voluntary cooperation.
Lee brought a message of sweeping reform to his first weekly briefing since a fire tore through a high-rise estate killing at least 151 people, and leaving 30 missing. The inferno has stoked a level of public anger not seen since major street protests about six years ago, with online petitions signed by thousands calling for an independent investigation into the disaster.
Authorities have threatened action against anyone who attempts to create unrest. Lee reiterated that message, while avoiding a question about media reports three people have been arrested on national security charges.
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“Society, everybody in Hong Kong, is uniting to help those who suffered to continue their living and face the future,” he said, raising his voice. “Anybody who dares to sabotage this commitment to society, we will do anything that we can to ensure justice.”
In a stark contrast to the highly choreographed press briefings in mainland China, Lee was asked whether he should step down, after such a large death toll occurred under his stewardship. The former police officer replied that criminals who commit offences must be held to justice. No Hong Kong chief executive has served the full two terms allowed since the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997.
So far, accountability has fallen on senior figures at the companies overseeing renovation at Wang Fuk Court, as investigators discover the fire was accelerated by workers using cheaper, substandard netting and evading government testing.
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Police and anti-graft officials have arrested 14 people on suspicion of manslaughter and corruption over the blaze, which incinerated an estate in northern Hong Kong once home to 4,600 people.
Regulators had issued repeated written warnings urging the contractor to put proper fire-prevention measures in place at the eight-tower complex, including as recently as a week before the fire, the Labour Department said last week.
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