Temple keepers alleged of accepting 'lai sees' for showing favours to worshippers
2002-2-9
Two keepers of a temple on the Hong Kong Island, who allegedly accepted "lai sees" for showing favours to worshippers, were arrested by the ICAC on Thursday (February 7).
The management of the temple forbids its staff to accept "lai sees" or monetary advantages in relation to their duties and puts up reminders inside the temple.
ICAC officers uncovered from the workmen a number of "lai see" packets and cash allegedly offered by worshippers.
An ICAC spokesman advised that with the approaching Lunar New Year, employees in both the private and public sectors should be cautious in accepting gifts and "lai sees" to avoid breaching anti-corruption laws.
"Under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO), employees in the private sector, including caretakers of buildings and temple workers, are not allowed to solicit or accept advantages in relation to their jobs, unless with their employers' c onsent."
The spokesman also reminded employers and owners' corporations to state clearly their policies on acceptance of "lai sees" by employees during the festive season.
Without the employer's permission, both the offeror and acceptor may violate the anti-corruption laws, the spokesman said.
"As for government employees, they should not solicit or accept advantages, including gifts, on account of their official duties; while public body employees are also subject to Section 4 of the PBO," the spokesman said.
"Section 3 of the Ordinance also forbids any government employee to solicit or accept any advantage without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive," he added.
The management of the temple forbids its staff to accept "lai sees" or monetary advantages in relation to their duties and puts up reminders inside the temple.
ICAC officers uncovered from the workmen a number of "lai see" packets and cash allegedly offered by worshippers.
An ICAC spokesman advised that with the approaching Lunar New Year, employees in both the private and public sectors should be cautious in accepting gifts and "lai sees" to avoid breaching anti-corruption laws.
"Under Section 9 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance (PBO), employees in the private sector, including caretakers of buildings and temple workers, are not allowed to solicit or accept advantages in relation to their jobs, unless with their employers' c onsent."
The spokesman also reminded employers and owners' corporations to state clearly their policies on acceptance of "lai sees" by employees during the festive season.
Without the employer's permission, both the offeror and acceptor may violate the anti-corruption laws, the spokesman said.
"As for government employees, they should not solicit or accept advantages, including gifts, on account of their official duties; while public body employees are also subject to Section 4 of the PBO," the spokesman said.
"Section 3 of the Ordinance also forbids any government employee to solicit or accept any advantage without the general or special permission of the Chief Executive," he added.