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In response to press enquiries on his home units, the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, gave the following remarks:
1. Professor Cheung was aware of the alterations inside the two adjourning units in Tai Po before making the purchase so he exercised due diligence in preparing the sales and purchase agreement. Upon counsel's advice, a supplemental agreement was attached to the sales and purchase agreement requiring the vendor to certify that there was no unauthorised works inside the units. The vendor also provided a certificate issued by an Authorised Person which certified that the works involved in the demolition of the partition wall between the two units were of non-structural nature. The management office had not required the reinstatement of the partition wall between the two units.
2. The transaction was completed in early June. Thereafter Professor Cheung has not made other alterations.
3. Also, according to Professor Cheung's understanding, some building works in a building are exempted works if they do not involve the structure of the building under Section 41(3) of the Building Ordinance.
4. When responding to questions during the press conference on the appointment of Principal Officials of the fourth-term Government of the HKSAR, Professor Cheung had said that in view of the community's concern, he would appoint an Authorised Person for further checking of the units after he had moved in.
5. Professor Cheung had purchased two adjourning units and a car park space at a total cost of $16 million. As for the mortgage arrangement, it was the bank's requirement, not Professor Cheung's idea, to separate into two mortgage agreements. The mortgage loan amount is $8 million, half of the total purchase price.
Ends/Saturday, July 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:20
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