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Tragedy sparks welfare outcry

Diana Lee

Monday, October 15, 2007


A leading social worker has warned of "hidden bombs" among troubled families in Tin Shui Wai new town after a woman is believed to have thrown her two young children out of their 24th- floor flat early yesterday before jumping to her death.

The bodies of the 36-year-old woman, her 12-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son were found at the foot of a block of flats at Tin Yiu Estate. The girl's limbs and the boy's hands were tied with rope.

The case has been classified as suspected homicide and suicide.

The woman, who came to Hong Kong from the mainland several years ago and reportedly had a history of mental illness, was identified as Mak Fu-tai, her daughter Chan Po-yee and son Chan Tung-man.

The family have been on the dole for several years as Mak's husband is in hospital with cancer.

The tragedy - the latest in a string of serious cases of domestic violence in Tin Shui Wai in recent years - was one of the many "hidden bombs" in the district waiting to explode, warned Hong Kong Social Workers' General Union president Peter Cheung Kwok- che.

"Worst of all, the facilities in the community are far from adequate. The families in difficulties are trapped. You cannot rely entirely on social workers to lift them out of danger. It's the responsibility of the entire society," Cheung said.

Detectives took boxes of exhibits from the family's flat on the 24th floor of Yiu Fung House, including foods and drinks.

A source said the police are investigating whether th
e children had been drugged before they were allegedly flung from the building.

Mak's husband, Chan Kai-lam, 47, is unemployed and also has a history of mental illness. He is receiving treatment for cancer at Tuen Mun Hospital.

Police were first notified of the incident at about 4am yesterday.

"An estate employee reported that a girl had fallen from a high floor, followed by a boy and a woman minutes later," said Albert Ng Ka-wah, assistant district commander.

"Initial investigations showed the girl's limbs and the boy's hands were tied with rope. Police broke into the family's flat and found a suicide note pasted on the wall and addressed to her husband."

The note, believed to have been written by Mak, said she had been under tremendous pressure since her husband was hospitalized and that she was worried about bringing up her children. Mak was dressed in a red T-shirt and red trousers.

A neighbor at Yiu Fung House said she heard three loud thuds shortly before 4am and thought somebody was playing with firecrackers.

Mak's son was born in Hong Kong and her daughter came here from the mainland after her mother had obtained residency.

The siblings were in Primary 6 and Primary 3 at Chiu Yang Por Yen Primary School on Tin Wah Road, Tin Shui Wai.

Principal Lam Pik-chu said the school has set up a crisis-management team, and psychologists will provide counseling services for students.