ICAC officers honoured for distinguished work in graft fight
2003-11-28
Ten officers of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) were today (Friday) presented awards in recognition of their distinguished service.
Speaking at the ICAC Awards Presentation Ceremony, ICAC Commissioner Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu said he was proud to see the very high degree of professionalism and dedication which officers had put into their work.
"I have also felt the strong sense of mission among the staff in the Commission," Mr Wong said.
The Commissioner pointed out that despite challenges posed by the community's rising expectations and stringent resources, ICAC officers had shown continued dedication and diligence.
Chief Investigator Raymond So Wing-keung was accorded the Commissioner's Commendation for his outstanding leadership, organizational skills, perseverance and professional ability of an exceptionally high order displayed in a corruption investigation invol ving a $900 million bank credit facilities and loans scam.
In that case, two former senior bank managers, a merchant, and three company directors were convicted of bribery and conspiracy to defraud, and received jail sentences up to nine years.
Seven other investigating officers were awarded the Operations Department Directorate Commendation for their dedicated efforts in various cases. They are: Senior Investigators Clement Cheng Chun-wang, Choi Shu-keung, and Arthur Leung Kai-wing; Investigat or Dale Ko; Assistant Investigators Martin Lee King-man, John Liu Chia-hua, and Mabel Chu Mei-po.
These cases related to investigations into corruption and related offences involving maintenance works at temples and cemeteries, misconduct in public office over government printing contracts, a short-piling scam at Yuen Chau Kok housing project, a credi t fraud case over false claims of property pledge, as well as a $900 million bribery-facilitated credit scam.
Meanwhile, Regional Officer Raymond Ng Kwok-ming was awarded the Director of Community Relations' Commendation for his outstanding performance, leadership and a high degree of professionalism in organising and implementing the Youth Summit " Corporate Governance for the New Generation ".
The Director of Community Relations' Commendation was also presented to Senior Press Information Officer Lana Wong Yuen-kwan for her dedication and a high degree of professionalism demonstrated in planning and handling publicity for the ICAC-Interpol Conf erence.
The ICAC Commissioner also presented souvenirs to five other senior ICAC officers who were earlier honoured by the government. They are:
Assistant Director of Operations Tony Godfrey who was awarded the Hong Kong ICAC Medal for Distinguished Service (IDS);
Principal Investigators Neil Parkinson and Danny Wong Shiu-cheung who were awarded the Hong Kong ICAC Medals for Meritorious Service (IMS); and
Chief Investigator Joseph Tsui Kit-hung and former Senior Investigator James Neilson who received the Medals of Honour.
Meanwhile, 33 officers received long service medals for serving the Commission for 18 or 25 years, while 26 staff from various ranks were given the 10 Years' ICAC Service Plaques.
Sixteen other staff members of the general and support grades were awarded the 20 years', 30 years' or the 40 years' Government Meritorious Service Certificates.
Speaking at the ICAC Awards Presentation Ceremony, ICAC Commissioner Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu said he was proud to see the very high degree of professionalism and dedication which officers had put into their work.
"I have also felt the strong sense of mission among the staff in the Commission," Mr Wong said.
The Commissioner pointed out that despite challenges posed by the community's rising expectations and stringent resources, ICAC officers had shown continued dedication and diligence.
Chief Investigator Raymond So Wing-keung was accorded the Commissioner's Commendation for his outstanding leadership, organizational skills, perseverance and professional ability of an exceptionally high order displayed in a corruption investigation invol ving a $900 million bank credit facilities and loans scam.
In that case, two former senior bank managers, a merchant, and three company directors were convicted of bribery and conspiracy to defraud, and received jail sentences up to nine years.
Seven other investigating officers were awarded the Operations Department Directorate Commendation for their dedicated efforts in various cases. They are: Senior Investigators Clement Cheng Chun-wang, Choi Shu-keung, and Arthur Leung Kai-wing; Investigat or Dale Ko; Assistant Investigators Martin Lee King-man, John Liu Chia-hua, and Mabel Chu Mei-po.
These cases related to investigations into corruption and related offences involving maintenance works at temples and cemeteries, misconduct in public office over government printing contracts, a short-piling scam at Yuen Chau Kok housing project, a credi t fraud case over false claims of property pledge, as well as a $900 million bribery-facilitated credit scam.
Meanwhile, Regional Officer Raymond Ng Kwok-ming was awarded the Director of Community Relations' Commendation for his outstanding performance, leadership and a high degree of professionalism in organising and implementing the Youth Summit " Corporate Governance for the New Generation ".
The Director of Community Relations' Commendation was also presented to Senior Press Information Officer Lana Wong Yuen-kwan for her dedication and a high degree of professionalism demonstrated in planning and handling publicity for the ICAC-Interpol Conf erence.
The ICAC Commissioner also presented souvenirs to five other senior ICAC officers who were earlier honoured by the government. They are:
Assistant Director of Operations Tony Godfrey who was awarded the Hong Kong ICAC Medal for Distinguished Service (IDS);
Principal Investigators Neil Parkinson and Danny Wong Shiu-cheung who were awarded the Hong Kong ICAC Medals for Meritorious Service (IMS); and
Chief Investigator Joseph Tsui Kit-hung and former Senior Investigator James Neilson who received the Medals of Honour.
Meanwhile, 33 officers received long service medals for serving the Commission for 18 or 25 years, while 26 staff from various ranks were given the 10 Years' ICAC Service Plaques.
Sixteen other staff members of the general and support grades were awarded the 20 years', 30 years' or the 40 years' Government Meritorious Service Certificates.