Hong Kong Urged to Criminalize Bid-Rigging After Deadly Fire

A Hong Kong think tank says the city must make bid-rigging a crime. This follows the deadliest fire in decades. The POD Research Institute made the call. It supports a similar proposal from the Hong Kong Bar Association. The bar group formed a task force after a fatal fire in November. The blaze tore through public housing blocks in Tai Po's Wang Fuk Court. At least 161 people died. The buildings were under maintenance. The fire damaged seven of the eight blocks being worked on. Bid-rigging is when companies secretly agree not to compete for a contract. This can lead to lower-quality work at higher prices. Currently, it is not a specific crime under Hong Kong law. The think tank argues new laws are needed. The goal is to prevent future tragedies by ensuring proper building maintenance.