ICAC combats corruption independently and effectively after reunification: Exco member
2002-6-21
The ICAC has continued to operate independently and effectively after the reunification, making significant contribution to the prosperity of Hong Kong, said Executive Council Member, Mr Ti-liang Yang, today (Friday) at the Commission's Common Induction C ourse Passing Out Cum ICAC Cyber Learning Centre Launching Ceremony.
"I had served in the judiciary long enough to appreciate the difficulties of corruption investigation. The fact that there is no obvious victim makes gathering evidence in corruption cases far more intricate than that in other crimes," Mr Yang said.
He also noted that an average conviction rate of 80% in cases prosecuted by the ICAC in recent years was a testimony to its professionalism and high standard in securing evidence, despite challenges arising from the rapid development of information techno logy and increasing globalization of crimes.
At today's passing out ceremony, 55 officers from the ICAC's three departments –'96 Operations Department, Corruption Prevention Department, Community Relations Department, and two from Macau's Commission Against Corruption, were awarded certificates for completing the 17-week induction course.
Mr Yang, who was the presiding judge in the landmark Godber case, encouraged the new recruits to carry out their anti-corruption duties without fear or favour, and to stand firm against those who had breached the law, even if they might be of power and influence.
He also reminded the graduates of the importance of upholding a high standard of integrity, and life-long learning to keep up with changes.
"As Chairman of the ICAC Complaints Committee, I am pleased to say that ICAC officers generally meet the high standard of probity that the public and the Commission expect of them," Mr Yang said.
Mr Yang today also launched the ICAC Cyber Learning Centre (ICLC) in conjunction with ICAC Commissioner, Mr Alan Lai Nin, and Head of Operations, Mr Tony Kwok Man-wai.
He commended the ICAC for its culture of continuous learning and endeavours to strive for excellence.
"The ICLC underscores the Commission's commitment to staff training and its efforts in promoting continuous learning. Through the various courses and reference materials on the website, officers can take up self-learning according to their own needs," Mr Yang said.
Apart from 33 on-line courses, the ICLC also features more than 15,000 databases relating to criminal cases, legislation, legal review and journals of different jurisdictions around the world. It also allows officers to search the Commission's full libra ry catalogue and reserve items on-line.
"I had served in the judiciary long enough to appreciate the difficulties of corruption investigation. The fact that there is no obvious victim makes gathering evidence in corruption cases far more intricate than that in other crimes," Mr Yang said.
He also noted that an average conviction rate of 80% in cases prosecuted by the ICAC in recent years was a testimony to its professionalism and high standard in securing evidence, despite challenges arising from the rapid development of information techno logy and increasing globalization of crimes.
At today's passing out ceremony, 55 officers from the ICAC's three departments –'96 Operations Department, Corruption Prevention Department, Community Relations Department, and two from Macau's Commission Against Corruption, were awarded certificates for completing the 17-week induction course.
Mr Yang, who was the presiding judge in the landmark Godber case, encouraged the new recruits to carry out their anti-corruption duties without fear or favour, and to stand firm against those who had breached the law, even if they might be of power and influence.
He also reminded the graduates of the importance of upholding a high standard of integrity, and life-long learning to keep up with changes.
"As Chairman of the ICAC Complaints Committee, I am pleased to say that ICAC officers generally meet the high standard of probity that the public and the Commission expect of them," Mr Yang said.
Mr Yang today also launched the ICAC Cyber Learning Centre (ICLC) in conjunction with ICAC Commissioner, Mr Alan Lai Nin, and Head of Operations, Mr Tony Kwok Man-wai.
He commended the ICAC for its culture of continuous learning and endeavours to strive for excellence.
"The ICLC underscores the Commission's commitment to staff training and its efforts in promoting continuous learning. Through the various courses and reference materials on the website, officers can take up self-learning according to their own needs," Mr Yang said.
Apart from 33 on-line courses, the ICLC also features more than 15,000 databases relating to criminal cases, legislation, legal review and journals of different jurisdictions around the world. It also allows officers to search the Commission's full libra ry catalogue and reserve items on-line.