The Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, met with members of the public to learn first-hand their views about ICAC’s work during a recent visit to Yaumatei.

At a "Meet-the-Public Session" held at ICAC's Kowloon West Regional Office before Christmas (December 22), Mr Wong briefed about 20 residents engaged in jade ware trading, which is a traditional business in the district, on the latest corruption situation , and major anti-corruption initiatives of the Commission.

Attending the session were 20 members of the Jadeware Traders Industry and Commerce Association and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Jade Merchants Union Association.

During the hour-long meeting, Mr Wong also explained ICAC's powers and its checks and balances mechanism in response to questions raised by the attendants. Some attendants also expressed their support for continuous public education work by the ICAC.

Mr Wong noted that these "Meet-the-Public Sessions" had proved to be an effective channel to directly communicate with various strata of the community and to enhance the transparency of ICAC's work.

"To keep a close tap on the public's concerns will also help us fine-tune our strategy from time and time and continuously enhance the effectiveness of our anti-corruption work," said Mr Wong.

The Commissioner has plans to attend similar gatherings to meet citizens face-to-face in the coming months.