ICAC is well-prepared to tackle challenges amid financial crisis
2008-12-15
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) is prepared to tackle challenges brought by the financial and economic volatility as well as increased cross-boundary business activities, said Mrs Laura Cha, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corru ption (ACOC).
Speaking at an annual press briefing today (Monday), Mrs Cha remarked that to brave these challenges, the ICAC would strengthen training for investigators in respect of financial investigation, information technology and computer forensics.
She said the Commission would also step up co-operation and liaison with financial regulators, government departments, international organisations and law enforcement agencies on the Mainland.
Mrs Cha noted that in the first 11 months of this year, corruption reports totalled 3,121, representing a decrease of 5% when compared with 3,278 reports received in the same period of last year.
Of the 171 completed prosecutions in the first 11 months of 2008, 148 resulted in convictions, registering a conviction rate of 87%, said Mrs Cha.
Co-hosting the press briefing were Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung, Chairman of the Operations Review Committee (ORC); Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC); and Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR).
Dr Chuang pointed out that of the corruption reports received in the first 11 months of this year, 65% concerned the private sector, 28% were against government departments, and 7% related to public bodies.
In the past 11 months, the ICAC received 887 corruption reports concerning government departments, representing more or less the same level compared to 885 reports received in the same period of 2007.
However, Dr Chuang said the ORC was concerned that some civil servants were involved in abuse of office, impropriety in procurement, supervisory oversight in supervision, undesirable association, illegal gambling and indebtedness.
Another area of concern was possible conflict of interest situations, in which some contracts for works and services were undertaken by private companies operated by former government servants, he said.
While the number of civil servants referred to bureaux or departments for consideration of disciplinary or administrative action dropped by 35%, the ICAC remained alert to public officials alleged of misconduct in public office, Dr Chuang added.
In the private sector, the ICAC received 2,027 corruption reports in the first 11 months, representing a decrease of 7% when compared to the same period of last year.
Building management complaints remained an ongoing concern. In the first 11 months, there were 874, accounting for 43% of the total private sector complaints.
Dr Chuang said the ICAC would keep an eye on syndicated corruption which involved building management professionals vying for a share of the building renovation market.
The catering and entertainment services attracted 145 reports in the first 11 months. Most of the reports related to corrupt dealings between purchasing staff and suppliers in accepting goods of inferior quality, ordering goods at an inflated price, and placing unnecessary orders.
Reports concerning the finance and insurance sector totalled 125, mainly involving improper approval of loans and mortgages, fraudulent insurance claims, unauthorised disclosure of customers’ data, and diversion of business to rival companies.
Meanwhile, the ICAC received 749 election-related complaints in the first 11 months of 2008, the majority of which concerned the 2007 District Council Election (607 reports) and the 2008 Legislative Council (Legco) Election (118 reports).
On the preventive side, CPAC Chairman Mr Philip Chen remarked that during the year, the Committee considered 88 corruption prevention reports on major government projects and areas affecting the daily life of people, including the establishment of the Wes t Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and the scheme to revitalize historic buildings through partnership.
He noted that the ICAC had developed a Best Practice Module to help government-funded organisations strengthen their governance. The module will be promulgated in 2009 with the help of the relevant government bureaux and departments.
Mr Chen also highlighted that following a corruption prevention study into the regulatory systems of charitable fund-raising activities, the ICAC recommended that the government introduce legislation and set up a dedicated authority to oversee all charita ble fund-raising activities.
Mr Chen also said in the coming year, the ICAC would continue to proactively respond to issues of public concern, including the implementation of major infrastructure projects; help small and medium enterprises strengthen their internal control; produce a guide on financial management for owners’ incorporations; and partner with tertiary institutions to incorporate anti-corruption curriculum for under-graduates.
On the educational front, CACCR Chairman Dr Moses Cheng said the financial tsunami necessitated the need to strengthen corporate governance and internal control. A major conference for the financial sector jointly hosted by the ICAC, the Ministry of Supe rvision and the Commission Against Corruption of Macao early this month was hence opportune.
Earlier this year, a corruption prevention guide was launched for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with cross-boundary operations, with the joint efforts of the ICAC and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Procuratorate.
As clean management of buildings had a direct impact on people’s livelihood, Dr Cheng said the Committee fully supported the ICAC’s initiative of launching a territory-wide programme to promote quality building management and maintenance.
Dr Cheng also noted that in the coming year, the ICAC’s preventive education programmes would target at the financial and insurance sector, company directors, SMEs, government-funded organisations and the building management sector.
Speaking at an annual press briefing today (Monday), Mrs Cha remarked that to brave these challenges, the ICAC would strengthen training for investigators in respect of financial investigation, information technology and computer forensics.
She said the Commission would also step up co-operation and liaison with financial regulators, government departments, international organisations and law enforcement agencies on the Mainland.
Mrs Cha noted that in the first 11 months of this year, corruption reports totalled 3,121, representing a decrease of 5% when compared with 3,278 reports received in the same period of last year.
Of the 171 completed prosecutions in the first 11 months of 2008, 148 resulted in convictions, registering a conviction rate of 87%, said Mrs Cha.
Co-hosting the press briefing were Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung, Chairman of the Operations Review Committee (ORC); Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC); and Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR).
Dr Chuang pointed out that of the corruption reports received in the first 11 months of this year, 65% concerned the private sector, 28% were against government departments, and 7% related to public bodies.
In the past 11 months, the ICAC received 887 corruption reports concerning government departments, representing more or less the same level compared to 885 reports received in the same period of 2007.
However, Dr Chuang said the ORC was concerned that some civil servants were involved in abuse of office, impropriety in procurement, supervisory oversight in supervision, undesirable association, illegal gambling and indebtedness.
Another area of concern was possible conflict of interest situations, in which some contracts for works and services were undertaken by private companies operated by former government servants, he said.
While the number of civil servants referred to bureaux or departments for consideration of disciplinary or administrative action dropped by 35%, the ICAC remained alert to public officials alleged of misconduct in public office, Dr Chuang added.
In the private sector, the ICAC received 2,027 corruption reports in the first 11 months, representing a decrease of 7% when compared to the same period of last year.
Building management complaints remained an ongoing concern. In the first 11 months, there were 874, accounting for 43% of the total private sector complaints.
Dr Chuang said the ICAC would keep an eye on syndicated corruption which involved building management professionals vying for a share of the building renovation market.
The catering and entertainment services attracted 145 reports in the first 11 months. Most of the reports related to corrupt dealings between purchasing staff and suppliers in accepting goods of inferior quality, ordering goods at an inflated price, and placing unnecessary orders.
Reports concerning the finance and insurance sector totalled 125, mainly involving improper approval of loans and mortgages, fraudulent insurance claims, unauthorised disclosure of customers’ data, and diversion of business to rival companies.
Meanwhile, the ICAC received 749 election-related complaints in the first 11 months of 2008, the majority of which concerned the 2007 District Council Election (607 reports) and the 2008 Legislative Council (Legco) Election (118 reports).
On the preventive side, CPAC Chairman Mr Philip Chen remarked that during the year, the Committee considered 88 corruption prevention reports on major government projects and areas affecting the daily life of people, including the establishment of the Wes t Kowloon Cultural District Authority, and the scheme to revitalize historic buildings through partnership.
He noted that the ICAC had developed a Best Practice Module to help government-funded organisations strengthen their governance. The module will be promulgated in 2009 with the help of the relevant government bureaux and departments.
Mr Chen also highlighted that following a corruption prevention study into the regulatory systems of charitable fund-raising activities, the ICAC recommended that the government introduce legislation and set up a dedicated authority to oversee all charita ble fund-raising activities.
Mr Chen also said in the coming year, the ICAC would continue to proactively respond to issues of public concern, including the implementation of major infrastructure projects; help small and medium enterprises strengthen their internal control; produce a guide on financial management for owners’ incorporations; and partner with tertiary institutions to incorporate anti-corruption curriculum for under-graduates.
On the educational front, CACCR Chairman Dr Moses Cheng said the financial tsunami necessitated the need to strengthen corporate governance and internal control. A major conference for the financial sector jointly hosted by the ICAC, the Ministry of Supe rvision and the Commission Against Corruption of Macao early this month was hence opportune.
Earlier this year, a corruption prevention guide was launched for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with cross-boundary operations, with the joint efforts of the ICAC and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Procuratorate.
As clean management of buildings had a direct impact on people’s livelihood, Dr Cheng said the Committee fully supported the ICAC’s initiative of launching a territory-wide programme to promote quality building management and maintenance.
Dr Cheng also noted that in the coming year, the ICAC’s preventive education programmes would target at the financial and insurance sector, company directors, SMEs, government-funded organisations and the building management sector.