LegCo Panel on Housing Visits HKHS's Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra to Explore Innovative Housing Solutions for the Elderly

LegCo Panel on Housing visits Hong Kong Housing Society's Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra

The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

At the invitation of the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), the Legislative Council Panel on Housing visited the HKHS's Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra in Fanling today (April 24) to learn about the latest situation since its completion. The estate is a crucial livelihood project in tandem with the development of the Northern Metropolis.

Members first received a briefing from the HKHS Chairman, Professor Ling Kar-kan, on the design and features of Casa Sierra. Representatives of the HKHS also demonstrated the applications of gerontechnology solutions. One of the examples is the introduction of an AI robot and a robotic personal trainer which helps enhance interaction with the elderly and promote healthy lifestyles among them.

Members also toured the show flats at Casa Sierra. The estate offers diverse housing types, including 1 ‍467 rental units, subsidised sale flats and Senior Citizen Residences Scheme units. Among these, the rental units and subsidised sale flats serve as a rehousing option for households affected by the Government's development clearance exercises. Apart from gaining a better understanding of the features of the subsidised sale flats and the Senior Citizen Residences Scheme units, Members exchanged views with the Government and HKHS representatives on how to create safer homes for the elderly.

In addition, Members noted that the HKHS is gradually implementing Internet of Things (IoT) in property management, and they observed a demonstration of smart property management measures, such as the use of robotic patrol dogs and AI cleaning robots. Members encouraged the HKHS to adopt more innovative technologies to improve estate management efficiency and service quality, thereby enhancing the living environment for the residents.

A total of 13 members and non-members of the Panel on Housing participated in the visit.

The Legislative Council (LegCo) Panel on Housing visited the Hong Kong Housing Society's (HKHS) Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra in Fanling today (April 24). Photo shows LegCo Members observing a demonstration to learn how the HKHS uses a robotic patrol dog to improve estate management efficiency. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Housing visited the Hong Kong Housing Society's (HKHS) Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra in Fanling today (April 24). Photo shows the Chairman of the Panel on Housing, Mr Stanley Ng (front row, seventh right), the Deputy Chairman, Mr Leung Man-kwong (front row, 10th right), and other Members with the Government and HKHS representatives and a robotic personal trainer. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Legislative Council Panel on Housing visited the Hong Kong Housing Society's (HKHS) Dedicated Rehousing Estate Casa Sierra in Fanling today (April 24). Photo shows Members receiving a briefing from the HKHS Chairman, Professor Ling Kar-kan, on the design and features of the estate. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport

Hong Kong Customs today (May 25) detected a drug trafficking case at Hong Kong International Airport. About 1.9 kilograms of suspected heroin, with an estimated market value of about $1.1 million, and one duty-not-paid cigarette were seized.

A 46-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia today. During customs clearance, Customs officer found the batch of suspected heroin concealed in a wooden box, and the duty-not-paid cigarette in his carry-on baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested person has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug, one count of possession of dutiable goods and one count of failing to declare to a member of the Customs and Excise Service the possession of dutiable goods. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court tomorrow (May 26).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs seizes suspected heroin worth about $1.1 million at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases