Opening of ICAC Building denotes a new milestone
2007-12-8
The opening of the new ICAC Building denotes a new milestone for the ICAC, which is locally and internationally perceived as an icon of the rule of law and a symbol of success in the fight against corruption, said Mr Timothy Tong Hin-ming, Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ICAC Building today (Saturday), Mr Tong said: “For the first time in our history, colleagues from our three constituent Departments are now able to work under one roof.”
Mr Tong also paid tribute to former ICAC Commissioners for their vision and leadership in inspiring total dedication of ICAC staff.
While the ICAC is recognized to be an integral part of “the Hong Kong advantage”, Mr Tong pledged that the Commission would continue to serve, without fear or favour, to help keep Hong Kong fair, just, stable and prosperous.
Also officiating at today’s opening ceremony were Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Mr Jia Chunwang, and Deputy ICAC Commissioner Mr Daniel Li Ming-chak.
The Chief Executive and the Commissioner unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the ICAC Building, which replaced the Commission’s former offices scattered in Murray Road Carpark Building, Fairmont House and Murray Building.
The 25-storey ICAC Building on Java Road in North Point houses a full range of facilities including an operations control room, video interview rooms, a detention centre, a report centre, an identification parade room, an indoor shooting range, a multi-pu rpose training hall, a multi-purpose theatre and an exhibition hall.
Also officiating at the opening ceremony were: Mr Lu Xinhua, Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Mr Zheng Kunsheng, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Wang Yuren, Deputy Commander of the HKSAR Garrison; Mrs Laura Cha, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption; Mr Ho Chio Meng, Prosecutor General, Macao SAR and Mr Cheong U, Commissioner, CAC Macao SAR.
Other distinguished guests attending the ceremony included former ICAC Commissioners Mr David Jeaffreson, Mr Bertrand de Speville, Mr Michael Leung Man-kin, Mr Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, Mrs Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun and family members of the late Sir Jack Cater, first Commissioner of the ICAC.
Delegates of law enforcement agencies from the Mainland, Macao, Australia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Korea also attended today’s occasion.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Tong noted that in the first 11 months of 2007, the ICAC received a total of 3,278 corruption reports, representing a slight increase of six per cent over the same period last year.
Of these corruption reports, 66 per cent were related to the private sector. The number of reports concerning the private sector registered a 15 per cent rise. Corruption reports against government departments decreased by 10 per cent.
In the private sector, building management took up the bulk of the reports, rising 18% to 879. There were 179 reports concerning the catering industry, a 34 per cent rise compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, the trading and real estate ag ent sectors attracted 127 and 78 reports respectively.
Mr Tong noted that the Commission had stepped up corruption prevention in these sectors. For example, it will join hands with the Mainland procuratorate authorities to produce a corruption prevention guidebook for small-and medium-sized enterprises engag ed in cross boundary business. An integrity guidebook for real estate agents is also in the pipeline.
The Commissioner also disclosed that so far, there were about 480 reports alleging breaches of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) in relation to the 2007 District Council (DC) Election. The majority was of a minor nature, for e xample, allegations related to publishing false statements of candidates and election advertisements.
In the DC Election in 2003, the ICAC has received about 1,000 reports alleging ECICO offences.
In addition, the ICAC website, newly revamped to become more user-friendly, has been launched. The public can browse the new ICAC website at ( http://www.icac.org.hk ).
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ICAC Building today (Saturday), Mr Tong said: “For the first time in our history, colleagues from our three constituent Departments are now able to work under one roof.”
Mr Tong also paid tribute to former ICAC Commissioners for their vision and leadership in inspiring total dedication of ICAC staff.
While the ICAC is recognized to be an integral part of “the Hong Kong advantage”, Mr Tong pledged that the Commission would continue to serve, without fear or favour, to help keep Hong Kong fair, just, stable and prosperous.
Also officiating at today’s opening ceremony were Chief Executive Mr Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, Procurator General of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate Mr Jia Chunwang, and Deputy ICAC Commissioner Mr Daniel Li Ming-chak.
The Chief Executive and the Commissioner unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the ICAC Building, which replaced the Commission’s former offices scattered in Murray Road Carpark Building, Fairmont House and Murray Building.
The 25-storey ICAC Building on Java Road in North Point houses a full range of facilities including an operations control room, video interview rooms, a detention centre, a report centre, an identification parade room, an indoor shooting range, a multi-pu rpose training hall, a multi-purpose theatre and an exhibition hall.
Also officiating at the opening ceremony were: Mr Lu Xinhua, Commissioner, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the HKSAR; Mr Zheng Kunsheng, Deputy Director, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR; Mr Wang Yuren, Deputy Commander of the HKSAR Garrison; Mrs Laura Cha, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption; Mr Ho Chio Meng, Prosecutor General, Macao SAR and Mr Cheong U, Commissioner, CAC Macao SAR.
Other distinguished guests attending the ceremony included former ICAC Commissioners Mr David Jeaffreson, Mr Bertrand de Speville, Mr Michael Leung Man-kin, Mr Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong, Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, Mrs Fanny Law Fan Chiu-fun and family members of the late Sir Jack Cater, first Commissioner of the ICAC.
Delegates of law enforcement agencies from the Mainland, Macao, Australia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Korea also attended today’s occasion.
Speaking after the ceremony, Mr Tong noted that in the first 11 months of 2007, the ICAC received a total of 3,278 corruption reports, representing a slight increase of six per cent over the same period last year.
Of these corruption reports, 66 per cent were related to the private sector. The number of reports concerning the private sector registered a 15 per cent rise. Corruption reports against government departments decreased by 10 per cent.
In the private sector, building management took up the bulk of the reports, rising 18% to 879. There were 179 reports concerning the catering industry, a 34 per cent rise compared with the same period last year. Meanwhile, the trading and real estate ag ent sectors attracted 127 and 78 reports respectively.
Mr Tong noted that the Commission had stepped up corruption prevention in these sectors. For example, it will join hands with the Mainland procuratorate authorities to produce a corruption prevention guidebook for small-and medium-sized enterprises engag ed in cross boundary business. An integrity guidebook for real estate agents is also in the pipeline.
The Commissioner also disclosed that so far, there were about 480 reports alleging breaches of the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance (ECICO) in relation to the 2007 District Council (DC) Election. The majority was of a minor nature, for e xample, allegations related to publishing false statements of candidates and election advertisements.
In the DC Election in 2003, the ICAC has received about 1,000 reports alleging ECICO offences.
In addition, the ICAC website, newly revamped to become more user-friendly, has been launched. The public can browse the new ICAC website at ( http://www.icac.org.hk ).