SHKP threatened to pull out of Ma Wan project, Rafael Hui graft trial hears

Sun Hung Kai Properties threatened to pull out of its Ma Wan Park project as it pressed the government to relax a stipulation that most journeys to the development would be by ferry, the High Court heard yesterday.

"We considered that to be a bluff," said Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, a former government official who was giving evidence in the high-profile corruption trial of former chief secretary Rafael Hui Si-yan and the co-chairmen of SHKP.

Hui is accused of receiving tens of millions of dollars from SHKP co-chairmen Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong and Raymond Kwok Ping-luen to be the developer's "eyes and ears" in the government over the West Kowloon arts hub and Ma Wan projects.

Referring to the minutes of a meeting, lead prosecutor David Perry QC said SHKP told the government it would consider pulling out of the Ma Wan venture as it asked for the relaxation of a condition that 75 per cent of journeys to the island must be made by ferry.

The meeting on August 16, 2005 was attended by Thomas Kwok and co-defendant Thomas Chan Kui-yuen, as well as Lau.

Lau, who was permanent secretary for housing, planning and lands at the time, said SHKP also wanted 40 coach parking spaces.