ICAC continues to win strong public support for its fight against graft
2003-5-9
Public support for the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) remains strong as more citizens consider the Commission impartial and effective in fighting graft, the latest annual survey reveals.
According to the 2002 ICAC Annual Survey, 75.6 per cent of the respondents finds the Commission impartial in conducting its investigations –'96 the highest since the question was first fielded in 1993.
The survey also shows 66.2 per cent of respondents think the ICAC has not abused its powers –'96 again the highest proportion recorded since the question was first asked in 1993.
In parallel, up to 70.0 per cent of respondents rate the Commission’s anti-corruption work effective or very effective.
Most respondents attribute their favourable rating about the ICAC’s effectiveness to its many successful investigations, sufficient anti-corruption publicity and education efforts and reduction in corruption cases in Hong Kong.
An ICAC spokesman discloses that similar to previous surveys, the ICAC continues to enjoy a high level of public confidence as an overwhelming majority of respondents, or 98.6 per cent, says the Commission deserves their support.
Conducted by an independent research agency on behalf of the ICAC last November, the survey has randomly polled a total of 1,504 people in Hong Kong to gauge their views towards corruption and the Commission’s work.
In the survey, the spokesman notes that 88.9 per cent of respondents express confidence in ICAC's pledge to keep reports received confidential.
Regarding public attitude towards graft, Hong Kong people are found to be increasingly intolerant of this social evil.
On a 0-10 point scale where 0 represents total rejection and 10 total tolerance of corruption, a mean score of 1.7 is recorded for corruption in the business sector while an even lower score of 1.0 for the civil service. The mean scores for the two secto rs are 2.1 and 1.3 respectively in the previous survey.
Public intolerance of corruption is also reflected in the high proportion of respondents (67.0 per cent) who indicate their willingness to report graft.
“It is encouraging to note that 73.3 per cent of the respondents polled say they will reveal their identities when lodging complaints, showing people's continued trust in the ICAC,” the spokesman says.
“The poll results dovetail with our own record as 72 per cent of the corruption reports received in 2002 were non-anonymous. This helps greatly in maintaining our investigative effectiveness as we could follow up on crucial questions when necessary,” he adds.
In gauging the public’s perception of the problem of corruption in Hong Kong, the survey finds 60.4% believe corruption is uncommon, compared with 51.9 per cent in the previous year.
The survey also shows 36.8 per cent of respondents anticipate that the level of corruption will increase next year, with most (87.2%) attributing it to the sluggish economy. Those citing the spillover effect of corruption in the Mainland as a factor has plunged from 47.8% in 1997 to 6.3% last year.
Asked if they have real experience about corruption, only 2.9 per cent say that they, their relatives or friends have come across corruption in the past 12 months –'96 the lowest since this question was first asked in 1998.
“In fact, ICAC intelligence also shows that corruption in Hong Kong is under control and there is no sign of deterioration of the situation,” the spokesman says.
The survey shows about 48.0 per cent of respondents agree that the ICAC has done enough to make known its work, up from 42.7 per cent in the previous survey.
The spokesman says that the Commission has made conscious efforts to inform the public of its major enquiries whilst balancing the need to preserve the integrity of investigations and to safeguard the reputation of suspects.
He notes that the survey results have provided useful data to the ICAC in mapping out its anti-corruption and community education strategy.
“In the coming year, we will continue to partner with both the public and private sectors in preventing and combatting corruption, to maintain a clean civil service and a level playing field in Hong Kong,” he adds.
According to the 2002 ICAC Annual Survey, 75.6 per cent of the respondents finds the Commission impartial in conducting its investigations –'96 the highest since the question was first fielded in 1993.
The survey also shows 66.2 per cent of respondents think the ICAC has not abused its powers –'96 again the highest proportion recorded since the question was first asked in 1993.
In parallel, up to 70.0 per cent of respondents rate the Commission’s anti-corruption work effective or very effective.
Most respondents attribute their favourable rating about the ICAC’s effectiveness to its many successful investigations, sufficient anti-corruption publicity and education efforts and reduction in corruption cases in Hong Kong.
An ICAC spokesman discloses that similar to previous surveys, the ICAC continues to enjoy a high level of public confidence as an overwhelming majority of respondents, or 98.6 per cent, says the Commission deserves their support.
Conducted by an independent research agency on behalf of the ICAC last November, the survey has randomly polled a total of 1,504 people in Hong Kong to gauge their views towards corruption and the Commission’s work.
In the survey, the spokesman notes that 88.9 per cent of respondents express confidence in ICAC's pledge to keep reports received confidential.
Regarding public attitude towards graft, Hong Kong people are found to be increasingly intolerant of this social evil.
On a 0-10 point scale where 0 represents total rejection and 10 total tolerance of corruption, a mean score of 1.7 is recorded for corruption in the business sector while an even lower score of 1.0 for the civil service. The mean scores for the two secto rs are 2.1 and 1.3 respectively in the previous survey.
Public intolerance of corruption is also reflected in the high proportion of respondents (67.0 per cent) who indicate their willingness to report graft.
“It is encouraging to note that 73.3 per cent of the respondents polled say they will reveal their identities when lodging complaints, showing people's continued trust in the ICAC,” the spokesman says.
“The poll results dovetail with our own record as 72 per cent of the corruption reports received in 2002 were non-anonymous. This helps greatly in maintaining our investigative effectiveness as we could follow up on crucial questions when necessary,” he adds.
In gauging the public’s perception of the problem of corruption in Hong Kong, the survey finds 60.4% believe corruption is uncommon, compared with 51.9 per cent in the previous year.
The survey also shows 36.8 per cent of respondents anticipate that the level of corruption will increase next year, with most (87.2%) attributing it to the sluggish economy. Those citing the spillover effect of corruption in the Mainland as a factor has plunged from 47.8% in 1997 to 6.3% last year.
Asked if they have real experience about corruption, only 2.9 per cent say that they, their relatives or friends have come across corruption in the past 12 months –'96 the lowest since this question was first asked in 1998.
“In fact, ICAC intelligence also shows that corruption in Hong Kong is under control and there is no sign of deterioration of the situation,” the spokesman says.
The survey shows about 48.0 per cent of respondents agree that the ICAC has done enough to make known its work, up from 42.7 per cent in the previous survey.
The spokesman says that the Commission has made conscious efforts to inform the public of its major enquiries whilst balancing the need to preserve the integrity of investigations and to safeguard the reputation of suspects.
He notes that the survey results have provided useful data to the ICAC in mapping out its anti-corruption and community education strategy.
“In the coming year, we will continue to partner with both the public and private sectors in preventing and combatting corruption, to maintain a clean civil service and a level playing field in Hong Kong,” he adds.