The Immigration Department (ImmD) carried out repatriation operations from May 29 to today (May 31). A total of 55 unsubstantiated non-refoulement claimants who were illegal immigrants and overstayers were repatriated to their place… read more
The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council (LegCo) Members met with the new term Tai Po District Council (DC) and Central and Western DC members at the LegCo Complex today (May 31). This was the first meeting held between LegCo and the DCs after the improvement of the district governance system. They discussed and exchanged views on issues closely related to the people’s livelihood. Going forward, LegCo Members will gradually meet with members of other DCs across Hong Kong to promote interactive exchanges. They will also collaborate with the DCs, which advise the Government on district administration, and proactively put forward suggestions to the Government at the policy level to better serve the people of Hong Kong.
During the meeting with the Tai Po DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including the request for expediting the construction of a vehicular bridge near Kwong Fuk Bridge to mitigate traffic congestion during peak hours in the vicinity of Tai Po Hui; the progress of the construction project of Pak Shek Kok Station on the East Rail Line, and explored the overall planning of topside and nearby facilities; as well as improving the ancillary facilities of Lam Tsuen River to create spaces for leisure, fitness and recreational activities, so as to improve the quality of life for the residents.
The meeting was convened by Mr Chan Hak-kan. A total of 15 Members attended the meeting including Mr Steven Ho, Dr Junius Ho, Ms Yung Hoi-yan, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Kenneth Lau, Mr Tony Tse, Mr Stanley Li, Mr Robert Lee, Mr Dominic Lee, Dr Johnny Ng, Mr Dennis Leung, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Mr Lai Tung-kwok and Mr Shang Hailong.
As for the meeting with the Central and Western DC, LegCo Members discussed and exchanged views with DC members on various issues, including the sustainable development of the Central and Western District Promenade to create a well-connected and barrier-free access harbourfront space; the establishment of a tram museum to enhance the public and tourists’ knowledge in the development of trams and promote tourism in the community; and building a smart car park at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park to further alleviate the shortage of parking spaces in the district.
The meeting was convened by Mr Paul Tse. A total of 19 Members attended the meeting including Mr Kwok Wai-keung, Mr Martin Liao, Mr Shiu Ka-fai, Mr Lau Kwok-fan, Mr Lee Chun-keung, Dr Wendy Hong, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Mr Edward Leung, Mr Kenneth Leung, Mr Rock Chen, Ms Judy Chan, Mr Chan Siu-hung, Mr Chan Hok-fung, Mr Benson Luk, Mr Edmund Wong, Ms Carmen Kan, Mr Yim Kong and Professor William Wong.
​The Director of Audit, Professor Nelson Lam, and personnel of the Audit Commission met with the President of the United Arab Emirates Accountability Authority (UAEAA), Mr Humaid Obaid AbuShibs, and his delegation, on May 23 to exchange views on public sector auditing practices.
Professor Lam extended a warm welcome to Mr AbuShibs, providing a comprehensive overview of the history and responsibilities of the Audit Commission. He highlighted the experience of the Audit Commission’s staff in United Nations audit assignments as part of the national delegation of the People’s Republic of China.
Mr AbuShibs expressed his gratitude for the reception and underscored the UAEAA’s dual role in combating corruption and enhancing public governance through audits. He emphasised the similarities between the UAEAA and the Audit Commission in their missions, and expressed his eagerness to further exchange practical insights and explore collaborative opportunities in future meetings.
Professor Lam found the meeting highly productive, with both parties engaging in discussions focused on value for money auditing. Mr AbuShibs also reviewed the newly published Director of Audit’s Report No. 82, gaining an understanding into the Commission’s latest work.
The Acting Deputy Director of Audit, Mr Teo Wing-on, and Principal Auditor Ms May Chan also attended the meeting. An Auditor of the Audit Commission shared his experiences of participating in the United Nations audit assignments and perspectives on international auditing standards and practices.
Two landlords of subdivided units (SDUs), who contravened Part IVA of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) (the Ordinance) pleaded guilty and were fined a total of $10,000 today (May 31) at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts. Since the Ordinance has come into force, the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) has successfully prosecuted 269 cases involving a total of 231 SDU landlords, with fines ranging from $400 to $18,600, amounting to a total of $492,010.
The offences of these landlords include (1) failing to submit a Notice of Tenancy (Form AR2) to the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation within 60 days after the term of the regulated tenancy commenced; and (2) requesting the tenant to pay money other than the types permitted under the Ordinance. One of the landlords was fined $9,200 for having committed 12 offences under (1) and (2) above, including requiring two tenants to pay waste disposal fees for a few months, etc.
The RVD earlier discovered that the landlords failed to comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance. Upon an in-depth investigation and evidence collection, the RVD prosecuted against the landlords.
A spokesman for the RVD reiterated that SDU landlords must comply with the relevant requirements under the Ordinance; and also reminded SDU tenants of their rights under the Ordinance. He also stressed that the RVD will continue to take resolute enforcement action against any contraventions of the Ordinance. Apart from following up on reported cases, the RVD has been adopting a multipronged approach to proactively identify, investigate and follow up on cases concerning landlords who are suspected of contravening the Ordinance. In particular, the RVD has been requiring landlords of regulated tenancies to provide information and reference documents of their tenancies for checking whether the landlords concerned have complied with the requirements of the Ordinance. If a landlord, without reasonable excuse, refuses to provide the relevant information or neglects the RVD’s request, the landlord commits an offence and is liable to a maximum fine at level 3 ($10,000) and to imprisonment for three months. Depending on the actual circumstances and having regard to the information and evidence collected, the RVD will take appropriate actions on individual cases, including instigating prosecution against suspected contraventions of the Ordinance.
To help curb illegal acts as soon as possible, members of the public should report to the RVD promptly any suspected cases of contravening the relevant requirements. Reporting can be made through the telephone hotline (2150 8303), by email (enquiries@rvd.gov.hk), by fax (2116 4920), by post (15/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon), or in person (visiting the Tenancy Services Section office of the RVD at Room 3816-22, 38/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and please call 2150 8303 to make an appointment). Furthermore, the RVD has provided a form (Form AR4) (www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/en/forms/ar4.pdf) on its website to facilitate SDU tenants’ reporting to the RVD.
The RVD reminds that pursuant to the Ordinance, a regulated cycle of regulated tenancies is to comprise two consecutive regulated tenancies (i.e. the first-term tenancy and second-term tenancy) for an SDU, and the term of each regulated tenancy is two years. A tenant of a first-term tenancy for an SDU is entitled to be granted a second-term tenancy of the regulated cycle, thus enjoying a total of four years of security of tenure. Since the first batch of regulated tenancies has already approached their second-term tenancies, the RVD has started a new round of publicity and education work in order to assist SDU landlords and tenants to understand the important matters pertaining to the second-term tenancy, and procedures that need to be followed about two months prior to the commencement of the purported second-term tenancy. In addition, the RVD has started issuing letters enclosing relevant information to the concerned landlords and tenants of regulated tenancies in batches, according to the expiry time of their first-term tenancies, to remind them about their respective obligations and rights under the Ordinance. These landlords and tenants may also visit the dedicated page for the second-term tenancy on the RVD’s website (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/tenancy_matters/second_term_tenancy.html) for the relevant information, including a concise guide, brochures, tutorial videos and frequently asked questions, etc. SDU landlords and tenants are also advised to familiarise themselves with the relevant statutory requirements and maintain close communication regarding the second-term tenancy for handling the matters properly and in a timely manner according to the Ordinance.
For enquiries related to regulated tenancies, please call the telephone hotline (2150 8303) or visit the RVD’s webpage (www.rvd.gov.hk/en/our_services/part_iva.html) for the relevant information. read more
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (May 31) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal pr… read more