Rogue (欺騙、欺詐) property bosses face tough punishment

Rogue (欺騙、欺詐) property bosses face tough punishment

Directors and top executives of property developers along with their agents (代理人) could face with (note 1) 10 years in prison for price manipulation (控制價格) or false trading (虛假買賣).

Yet representatives of the developers did not appear ruffled (著急) by that prospect during meetings of a government- appointed property panel (專門小組), a source told Sing Tao Daily, sister publication of The Standard,

Committee member Lee Wing-tat of the Democratic Party said the proposal could be seen as controversial (具爭論性的) as people in the top ranks (高層) of developers would for the first time face criminal liability (刑事罪).

Still, he expects the committee to have a report within a couple of months.

The government set up the 14-member steering committee (note 2) in October to study how Hong Kong can get a grip (note 3) on the sale of new private homes.

Members were told to range over matters such as the definition of new flats, sales practices, price lists, enforcement mechanisms (執法的方法) and penalties (懲罰) for rogues. They were given 12 months to come up with recommendations.

Now, after nine months of meetings, the panel is in the final stretch (note 4), with the major point being a final thrust on suitable punishment.

The government initially proposed that panel members use the Trade Descriptions Ordinance for reference.

But some members opted instead to follow the Securities and Futures Ordinance, which is more extensive (廣泛) and packs heavier penalties.

These members believe the tougher route must be followed if price manipulation and false trading are to be knocked out of play (徹底打倒).

From good to better English:

(note 1) face with=面臨。face up to=勇敢地對付、面對事實。face the consequences= 面對後果。make faces= 扮鬼臉。save face=保留面子。

(note 2) steering committee=領導小組。Steer=掌舵。steer clear of=避開，例句: Thanks to Sing Tao Foundation’s help, we've steered clear of the financial difficulties. (多虧星島基金會的幫忙，我們已經避免了財務困難)。steer a steady course=堅定地前進。

(note 3) get a grip on=掌握。come to grips with=開始努力對付。have a poor grip on a situation=不懂掌握形勢。 have a grip on an audience=掌握聽眾心理。

(note 4) in the final stretch=最後階段。at a stretch = 一口氣地。stretch one's legs= 把腳伸直。stretch out=伸展。stretch the rules=通融。

Victor’s View: It’s high time that the government did something to protect the interests of home buyers. Many of us spend our life savings (as down payment) plus more than half of our monthly income (as mortgage payment) on our flats. The government at least would make property developers more conscientious.

(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)