Housing Secretary Mourns Passing of Dr. Donald Liao, Pioneer of Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong

Secretary for Housing expresses condolences over passing of Dr Donald Liao

The Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie Ho, today (March 13) expressed sorrow over the passing of the former Secretary for Housing, the first Director of Housing, and the former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, and extends her deepest condolences to his family.

The former Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Dr Donald Liao, Photo source: online image

Dr Liao was the first Director of Housing from 1973 to 1980 and the Secretary for Housing from 1980 to 1985.

Ms Ho said, "I met Dr Liao for the first time when we were filming the documentary series which commemorated the 50th anniversary of the HA. My colleagues and I were instantly impressed by his warmth and care for the younger generations amid robust exchanges on public housing, architecture and design, as well as community planning.

"As the pioneer of the Home Ownership Scheme in Hong Kong, Dr Liao established the subsidised sale housing system to facilitate not only the turnover of public rental housing, but also encourage upward mobility for the grassroots families. At his young age, he took charge of the entire development projects of Ma Tau Wai Estate and Wah Fu Estate, where he had placed particular emphasis on the integration of public spaces, ancillary facilities and natural environments in public housing designs. Dr Liao's career journey in public housing has been an inspiration to our team and he will remain our role model as we continue to strive our best in the design of public housing.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Donald Liao and would like to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the Housing Bureau, the HA, and the Housing Department."

The Housing Authority (HA), Photo by Bastille Post

Correctional officers stop remand person in custody from attacking staff member

Correctional officers at Stanley Prison stopped a male remand person in custody from attacking a staff member today (May 6).

At 3.37pm today, a 39-year-old male remand person in custody suddenly became emotional and attacked a correctional officer inside a shower room. Officers at the scene immediately stopped the assailant and applied oleoresin capsicum (OC) foam to subdue him after repeated warnings were ignored.

During the incident, the officer sustained an injury to his chest. After examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer, he was referred to a public hospital for further treatment. The assailant sustained injuries to his back and head. He did not need to be sent to a public hospital after examination and treatment by the institution Medical Officer.

The case has been reported to the Police for investigation.

The assailant was remanded for the offence of trafficking in a dangerous drug in December 2024.

Source: AI-found images