ICAC keeps up its investigative efficiency
2001-6-20
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), registering a high level of corruption complaints last year, has continued to take positive steps to maintain its investigative efficiency and capability, according to the 2000 ICAC Annual Report.
Legislative Councilor Mr Fred Li Wah-ming, also a member of the Advisory Committee on Corruption, tabled the ICAC Annual Report at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).
In presenting the report, Mr Li noted that the ICAC had endeavoured to boost its professional capability to tackle new issues brought by the cyber age while coping with a rising workload.
Last year the ICAC had joined hands with local universities, the private sector and other law enforcement agencies to continue to provide computer forensic training courses for investigators, and to establish standard computer investigation procedures, Mr Li added.
The anti-graft body, in the year under review, continued its proactive strategy to uncover cases, which might otherwise have gone unreported, through greater use of informants, development and analysis of intelligence, and undercover operations when neces sary.
The Annual Report reveals that over 200 investigations were generated by this proactive strategy last year.
Mr Li also noted that the ICAC last year received 4,390 corruption reports, which was an all time high since its inception in 1974.
Based on ICAC analysis, he pointed out that the surge could be partly attributed to the lingering effects of the Asian financial crisis and increased public vigilance as a result of extensive media coverage of ICAC investigations.
Mr Li also observed that the public continued to demonstrate a high level of confidence in the ICAC, as indicated by the ratio of non-anonymous complaints received.
Last year the proportion of complainants who identified themselves when making reports to the ICAC remained at a high level of 68 per cent.
On the education and prevention fronts, Mr Li said the Commission's work in promoting ethical practices and corruption prevention measures in the business community had helped reinforce Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international business centre.
During the year, it conducted 106 in-depth studies on public sector work procedures to plug corruption loopholes, with priorities given to problem areas revealed in its investigations.
The Commission offered corruption prevention service on 300 occasions at the request of private companies, and a number of Best Practice Packages providing corruption guidelines on selected work areas had been published.
In maintaining a clean civil service, it continued to work closely with the Civil Service Bureau in promoting the Civil Service Integrity Programme and introducing tailor-made corruption prevention packages in government departments.
During the year, efforts were also made to nurture an ethical culture among the younger generation through multimedia programmes and the Internet.
Legislative Councilor Mr Fred Li Wah-ming, also a member of the Advisory Committee on Corruption, tabled the ICAC Annual Report at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday).
In presenting the report, Mr Li noted that the ICAC had endeavoured to boost its professional capability to tackle new issues brought by the cyber age while coping with a rising workload.
Last year the ICAC had joined hands with local universities, the private sector and other law enforcement agencies to continue to provide computer forensic training courses for investigators, and to establish standard computer investigation procedures, Mr Li added.
The anti-graft body, in the year under review, continued its proactive strategy to uncover cases, which might otherwise have gone unreported, through greater use of informants, development and analysis of intelligence, and undercover operations when neces sary.
The Annual Report reveals that over 200 investigations were generated by this proactive strategy last year.
Mr Li also noted that the ICAC last year received 4,390 corruption reports, which was an all time high since its inception in 1974.
Based on ICAC analysis, he pointed out that the surge could be partly attributed to the lingering effects of the Asian financial crisis and increased public vigilance as a result of extensive media coverage of ICAC investigations.
Mr Li also observed that the public continued to demonstrate a high level of confidence in the ICAC, as indicated by the ratio of non-anonymous complaints received.
Last year the proportion of complainants who identified themselves when making reports to the ICAC remained at a high level of 68 per cent.
On the education and prevention fronts, Mr Li said the Commission's work in promoting ethical practices and corruption prevention measures in the business community had helped reinforce Hong Kong's competitiveness as an international business centre.
During the year, it conducted 106 in-depth studies on public sector work procedures to plug corruption loopholes, with priorities given to problem areas revealed in its investigations.
The Commission offered corruption prevention service on 300 occasions at the request of private companies, and a number of Best Practice Packages providing corruption guidelines on selected work areas had been published.
In maintaining a clean civil service, it continued to work closely with the Civil Service Bureau in promoting the Civil Service Integrity Programme and introducing tailor-made corruption prevention packages in government departments.
During the year, efforts were also made to nurture an ethical culture among the younger generation through multimedia programmes and the Internet.