A Mainland citizen awaiting the Court of Final Appeal's ruling on his right of abode application was sent to jail for 16 months this (Saturday) morning at Eastern Court for offering a bribe to an Immigration Officer.

Hung Shun-yick, 40, today pleaded guilty to one count of offering $20,000 to Acting Immigration Officer Liu Ka-yuen on November 29, 2001 for Liu to assist him to apply for a Hong Kong identity card.

The court heard that Liu had refused the offer and reported the matter to his senior officer.

Magistrate Mr Robert McNair today commended the Immigration Officer for his integrity.

Hung travelled to Hong Kong on a two-way permit and filed an application for right of abode in the territory on June 1 this year.

On June 14, he applied to the Immigration Department for his movement records to support his claim for temporary stay in Hong Kong. Liu was the officer in charge of his application.

Hung telephoned Liu on August 27 and offered him $20,000 for his assistance in obtaining an identity card.

The offer was immediately refused and the case was referred to the ICAC.

The Immigration Department had offered full assistance to the investigation.

During a monitored meeting on November 29, 2001, Hung repeated his offer of $20,000 to Liu, and undertook to pay the officer a $1,000 deposit in the week of December 3, 2001.

The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers after the meeting.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Ronald Kwan.