Normalization of Deviance
This certainly paints all the elements of "Normalization of Deviance".
Strange to hear they were trying to make the excuse that the problem is new, and has been a problem of the old system. Shouldn't that be one of the priorities when they bought the new system - to have the problem solved and fully tested before they put it into operation?
They didn't explain too much on the "local mode" and how that differs from the "normal mode". But if that is the mode that controllers do not use normally, it cannot be said that the operation is "normal".
Different multi-radar-tracking systems are used in ATC world wide, but not always in airspace (APP-DEP) close to airports. They are supposed to eliminate blind areas of individual radar heads with multi radar heads and optimize towards the ideal 100% coverage. The hilly nature of terrain in the vicinity of CLK makes it most difficult to achieve and requires a lot of radar and local expertise and tests to optimize. Perhaps they just lack some of these.
AT3 seems not the system suitable for HK and it is sad to see what has happened during the last 10 years and all the latest news. Let's hope justice can be done for the frontline controllers and the flying public.