Hong Kong politicians and major groups described the government’s acceptance of accountability for the deadly fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po as “clear and appropriate” and its preventive reforms as “comprehensive”, and urged the legislative and executive branches to cooperate on effective implementation of the reforms.

Their remarks on Thursday came as government officials, led by Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu, announced a reform package aimed at addressing the institutional deficiencies outlined in a recent independent committee’s report.

Tam Yiu-chung, secretary-general of the Hong Kong Coalition and a former lawmaker, said the government’s taking of political accountability reflects the authorities’ determination to shoulder responsibility.

READ MORE: Regina Ip: Wang Fuk Court fire accountability clear, prevention measures comprehensive

Beyond taking political accountability, the government will also pursue those bearing administrative and criminal accountability for the fire. The three levels of accountability, Tam said, are equally important. Noting that the chief executive has pledged to pursue those who are accountable to the end, Tam added that the investigation into those who may be held administratively accountable has not yet been completed.

He also highlighted the government’s decision to establish a Building Maintenance Support and Services Council. “This is also what the public hopes the government will do, as residential owners often do not know what to do when facing major maintenance and are afraid of being cheated,” he said.

Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, convenor of the Executive Council, said the government’s measures are highly comprehensive, and aim to remedy deficiencies and problems exposed by the fire.

“Overall, the government has fully taken into account the public’s expectations and sentiments and, in the light of the report, has put forward a highly comprehensive set of measures to prevent a recurrence of this tragedy,” she said.

A lot of these reforms will require legislative provisions, said Ip, who is also the chairperson of the New People’s Party, adding that both the Executive Council and the Legislative Council will support the government in vetting such legislation.

Legislative Council member Dominic Lee Tsz-king said the independent committee of inquiry’s report on the Wang Fuk Court fire was a fair and impartial assessment that directly confronts institutional gaps and holds regulatory bodies accountable without excuse.

“Accountability is never a gesture for show,” Dominic Lee said, adding that directly addressing systemic issues is essential to restoring public confidence.

“It is about letting society see that accountability must be sought and rigorously followed up (on). Only by doing so can the subsequent reforms carry conviction, and the grief of the affected families be prevented from being drowned out by empty talk,” he said.

The Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, a local political group, said in a statement that the independent committee of inquiry’s report had clarified what caused the fire and the responsibilities of the various parties involved, while identifying deep-seated problems. The alliance said the report is objective and provides an important basis for the government’s follow-up work.

READ MORE: Hong Kong unveils reforms after fire inquiry

The group described the government’s determination to pin down responsibility as “a law-based, fact-based and proportionate approach that responds to public concerns”. The group also said it hopes that the measures will be effectively implemented and will plug institutional loopholes, strengthen regulatory effectiveness and prevent a repeat of the tragedy.

The independent committee’s report, spanning 16 chapters, said that most accountability for the blaze should fall on the main contractor and project consultant for the estate’s renovation project, as well as on a registered inspector. It also said that government regulators must share responsibility, adding that the private sector’s misconduct had been compounded by decades of official failures, regulatory loopholes and slack enforcement.

Contact the writers at amberwu@chinadailyhk.com