Copyright scmp
An executive director of leading Hong Kong property developer Henderson Land has declared his intention to run in the coming Legislative Council election, brushing aside concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Augustine Wong Ho-ming submitted his nomination form on Thursday, vying for the seat representing the real estate and construction functional constituency. Wong was accompanied by Stewart Leung Chi-kin, chairman of the Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, Adam Kwok Kai-fai, executive director of Sun Hung Kai Properties, and Frank Chan Fan, former secretary for transport and housing. Leung said the Real Estate Developers Association would support Wong in the constituency race. All of its members are eligible voters. Louis Loong Hon-biu, the outgoing lawmaker for the constituency, was also seen endorsing Wong. Wong, who also served as general manager of the company’s property development department, dismissed concerns about potential conflicts of interest. “I handle matters fairly and impartially, as everyone can see. The legislature has a clear mechanism for interest declaration and I believe the media will scrutinise the matter closely. There will not be any [conflict of interests] issues,” he said. Wong said he was confident that he could handle both his duties at Legco and at Henderson should he be elected. Neither Loong nor his predecessor, Abraham Razack, held executive roles at major developers during their tenure. Loong serves as secretary general of the Real Estate Developers Association, while Razack was formerly chief executive of the Land Development Corporation, the predecessor of the Urban Renewal Authority. Having joined Henderson Land Development in 1996, Wong said the industry had encouraged him to throw his hat in the ring. Emphasising support from developers, architectural businesses, and the mechanical and electrical engineering sector, Wong pledged to act as a bridge connecting the government and the industry. “I have worked in real estate for decades. I am a surveyor and familiar with government operations. I can fully represent the industry to convey their opinions to the government, while promoting policies to the sector,” Wong said. He will be running against Howard Chao of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA), the son of property tycoon Cecil Chao Sze-tsung. Chao lost his bid in the constituency during the previous election in 2021. The sitting lawmaker of the constituency, Loong, was also a BPA member. The election will be held on December 7, with the nomination period set to end on November 6.
