又中又英 | A stain on society | 褚简宁

　　Regular readers of this column may remember I have often railed against the government for inaction regarding Hong Kong’s subdivided flats. Subdivided flats are a stain on society. To rail against something means to criticize it. If something is a stain on society, it means it damages the reputation of the society involved. Subdivided flats have damaged Hong Kong’s global image as a developed city. I have seen many foreign media reports about the living conditions of Hong Kong’s subdivided flats. The Legislative Council has now approved the government's proposed law which forces landlords to make subdivided flats suitable for living.

　　This should have been done long ago, but the government and Legco deserve much praise for finally erasing this stain on society. The issue of subdivided flats has always been an open and shut case. An open and shut case is a legal case or situation in which the facts are so clear that it can be easily decided on. The clear facts of subdivided flats are that many are unfit to live in. Many don’t have windows and private toilets and are smaller than Hong Kong’s parking spaces. Some have toilet bowls next to the cooking area or bed.

　　The new law requires subdivided flats to be at least 86 square feet, have a window that can open, separate fire detectors, and a private toilet with a door. I think 86 square feet is still too small, but it’s a good step forward. Landlords have a three-year grace period starting in 2027 to upgrade the subdivided flats or turn them back into regular flats. Those who violate the law will face heavy fines.

　　恒常读这专栏的读者，可能会记得我曾经常抨击（railed against）政府，在香港㓥房上的不作为。㓥房是社会的污点（stain on society）。To rail against某事物就是去批评它。若某事物是stain on society，意即它损坏了相关社会的声誉。㓥房损坏了香港作为已发展城市的国际形象。我读过许多外国媒体报道香港㓥房的生活环境。立法会现已通过政府逼令业主要将㓥房改装至合理、宜居环境的草案。

  这应该在很久之前就做了，不过政府和立法会终能移除这社会的污点（stain on society），仍是值得赞赏。㓥房议题一直以来都是个open and shut case——an open and shut case是一个非常清晰的案件或状况，很容易便能作出判决。㓥房明摆着的事实是，许多都不适合人居住。有许多都没有窗户与私人厕所，比香港的泊车位更细小。有一些㓥房的坐厕，就在煮食区又或睡床旁边。

　　新的法例要求㓥房必须至少有86平方呎、一个能打开的窗户、独立的火警探测器，以及一个有门的私人厕所。我认为86平方呎仍是太细小，不过也是向前踏出了好的一步。业主会由2027年起有3年的宽限期，将㓥房改造，又或将之还原为一般的单位。违反法例的人将会面临巨额罚款。

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Michael Chugani褚简宁
中译：七刻