Cross-boundary cooperation the way forward in graft fight, says ICAC Commissioner
2003-1-18
Enhancing cooperation with overseas law enforcement agencies and Mainland counterparts is one of the ICAC's work priorities in the future, says ICAC Commissioner Ambrose Lee Siu-kwong.
In his latest Commissioner Online column uploaded on the Commission's corporate website today (Saturday), Mr Lee said: "Today, corruption has taken on a transnational dimension. It is both an end as well as a means to facilitate and perpetuate serious and organised crimes, such as cross -boundary drug trafficking and money laundering activities.”
Therefore, enhancing international cooperation was the natural way forward for the ICAC to tackle corruption effectively, asserted Mr Lee.
Mr Lee also said visitors from overseas organisations held the ICAC in high regard, in particular the Commission's three-pronged strategy in combating corruption through enforcement, prevention and education.
Some of these organisations, including ICAC Mauritius, the Administrative Control Authority of Egypt and the Anti-Corruption Agency of Malaysia, also requested for training or study visits to the Commission to understand the success formula of Hong Kong i n anti-corruption work.
In the coming week, the ICAC will join hands with the Interpol for the first time to host in Hong Kong an international conference entitled " Partnership Against Corruption ", which has attracted more than 300 delegates from eight international organisations and 58 jurisdictions outside Hong Kong.
In his article, entitled " Cross-boundary cooperation - the way forward for graft fight ", the ICAC Commissioner also said as regards cooperation with the Mainland counterparts, more mutual visits and exchanges on other aspects of anti-corruption were envisaged, in parallel to operational matters.
Mr Lee noted that during his official visit to the Mainland in mid-November last year, the officials he met expressed not only recognition to ICAC's effectiveness in containing corruption, but also showed a great interest in its preventive and education w ork.
Since the ICAC and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Procuratorate instituted the Mutual Case Assistance Scheme in 1988, officers from both organisations had made a total of 555 visits and interviewed 1,042 witnesses in each other's jurisdiction relating to corruption investigations.
The Commissioner also noted that through contact with people from various sectors, he realised that the Commission had won wide support from the community.
In face of the challenges ahead, Mr Lee urged ICAC officers to continue their fight against corruption with resolve and fortitude. "Despite resources stringency, I have no doubt that all Commission staff will uphold their dedication and professionalism to help Hong Kong maintain its hard-earned reputation as a clean international city."
The new Commissioner Online article has been uploaded onto the ICAC corporate website ( http://www.icac.org.hk ) for public access.
In his latest Commissioner Online column uploaded on the Commission's corporate website today (Saturday), Mr Lee said: "Today, corruption has taken on a transnational dimension. It is both an end as well as a means to facilitate and perpetuate serious and organised crimes, such as cross -boundary drug trafficking and money laundering activities.”
Therefore, enhancing international cooperation was the natural way forward for the ICAC to tackle corruption effectively, asserted Mr Lee.
Mr Lee also said visitors from overseas organisations held the ICAC in high regard, in particular the Commission's three-pronged strategy in combating corruption through enforcement, prevention and education.
Some of these organisations, including ICAC Mauritius, the Administrative Control Authority of Egypt and the Anti-Corruption Agency of Malaysia, also requested for training or study visits to the Commission to understand the success formula of Hong Kong i n anti-corruption work.
In the coming week, the ICAC will join hands with the Interpol for the first time to host in Hong Kong an international conference entitled " Partnership Against Corruption ", which has attracted more than 300 delegates from eight international organisations and 58 jurisdictions outside Hong Kong.
In his article, entitled " Cross-boundary cooperation - the way forward for graft fight ", the ICAC Commissioner also said as regards cooperation with the Mainland counterparts, more mutual visits and exchanges on other aspects of anti-corruption were envisaged, in parallel to operational matters.
Mr Lee noted that during his official visit to the Mainland in mid-November last year, the officials he met expressed not only recognition to ICAC's effectiveness in containing corruption, but also showed a great interest in its preventive and education w ork.
Since the ICAC and the Guangdong Provincial People’s Procuratorate instituted the Mutual Case Assistance Scheme in 1988, officers from both organisations had made a total of 555 visits and interviewed 1,042 witnesses in each other's jurisdiction relating to corruption investigations.
The Commissioner also noted that through contact with people from various sectors, he realised that the Commission had won wide support from the community.
In face of the challenges ahead, Mr Lee urged ICAC officers to continue their fight against corruption with resolve and fortitude. "Despite resources stringency, I have no doubt that all Commission staff will uphold their dedication and professionalism to help Hong Kong maintain its hard-earned reputation as a clean international city."
The new Commissioner Online article has been uploaded onto the ICAC corporate website ( http://www.icac.org.hk ) for public access.