Illegal structures - do you own one?

Well it would seem that this topic is as old as the hills surrounding HK or at least Kowloon, with illegal structures built on the many hillsides and lives lost in landslides, floods and fire outbreaks. What has changed? -  well the practice has gone to the top of the pile with a deputy judge having one and refusing to remove it! One law for the rich and one for the poor perhaps? Sso whilst the poor were hounded and loses their lives in illegal structures the rich and famous had their versions and sat quietly watching. Whilst I can understand the desire for people to close in their balconies and have additional noise and pollution free space - surely it's simple a case of seeking planning permission from the appropriate department?

I feel a witch hunt coming on!