Ex-housing chief and highways deputy deny HK$700,000 housing scam in court

Former development minister Mak Chai-kwong and assistant highways director Tsang King-man pleaded not guilty yesterday to housing fraud and cheating the government.

Mak, 62, and Tsang, 57, face a joint charge of conspiracy to defraud the government of HK$700,000 over 20 years ago. Mak also faces two counts, and Tsang three, of using documents with intent to deceive the government. They denied all charges at District Court in Wan Chai.

While Mak resigned from his post on the day both men were arrested back in July, Tsang remained in his job - but yesterday the Highways Department was refusing to say whether or not he had been suspended.

The 12-day trial had already been slated to begin on April 22 next year, and yesterday the prosecution announced 21 witnesses would testify in court.

They include a principal assistant secretary of the Civil Service Bureau, Lui Kin-fun; Tsang's sister, Tsang Wai-wah; and Dennis Leung Hung-tsan, who at one point rented Mak's flat.

However, Mak's and Tsang's wives, who were arrested but were never charged, were not on the list.