Public remains vigilant amidst brightened views of graft situation in HK
2004-3-27
The community views with growing optimism the cleanliness of Hong Kong, the latest ICAC annual survey has revealed, in tandem with an increasing intolerance of corruption and readiness to report graft.
According to the ICAC 2003 Annual Survey, 70.8 per cent of respondents replied that corruption was not common in government departments –'96 the highest in three years; whereas only 17.7 per cent of respondents perceived that graft was still a problem in the government sector, the lowest since 2001.
Likewise, the 2003 survey also reported that a record proportion of respondents (45.9%) considered that corruption was not prevalent in the business sector. Only 42.4 per cent and 36 per cent of respondents respectively held the same view in 2002 and 2001 .
"The public's perception of a relatively clean society in Hong Kong is to a certain extent borne out by their own experience as 95.4 percent indicated that neither they nor their relatives and friends had come across corruption in the past 12 months," sai d a spokesman for the ICAC, adding that only 3.3 per cent answered in the affirmative.
The survey, which polled 1,500 citizens through random sampling by a professional research company appointed by the ICAC, also found that people had become more willing to report corruption and reveal their identities when lodging complaints.
About 68.5 percent of the respondents indicated their willingness to report corruption while 75.9 percent said they would identify themselves in doing so –'96 the highest in both categories since 1998.
This readiness of complainants to identify themselves was consistent with the percentage of non-anonymous reports received by the ICAC last year, which stood at a high of 72 percent.
"The public's increased willingness to report graft could be explained by their intolerance of corruption and confidence in the ICAC," the spokesman noted.
The survey, which was conducted in October last year, employed a 0–'9610 point scale to gauge the public's attitude towards corruption, with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance.
A record low mean score of 0.9 was recorded for tolerance of corruption in the civil service while the score for tolerance in the business sector was a low of 1.7.
"These findings point to the fact that a culture of probity has firmly taken root in our society, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and the community over the decades," the spokesman added.
The survey also revealed that the ICAC had continued to be rated an effective anti-corruption agency by the public. In line with survey findings in recent years, up to 67.3 per cent said the ICAC was very effective or effective.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority or 99.3 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC worthy of their support –'96 the highest ever registered and reflection of the solid public commitment behind the anti-corruption cause.
The survey also found the ICAC was well trusted in its investigative work, with 88.9 per cent of respondents having expressed faith in the ICAC in keeping complaints confidential, and 73.4 per cent respondents confident in ICAC’s impartiality in conducting investigations.
In addition, 79.6 per cent of citizens polled considered the level of powers entrusted to the ICAC appropriate. Only 1.6 per cent believed ICAC's powers were too extensive –'96 the lowest since the question was first asked in 1994. Meanwhile, 64.3 per cent of respondents considered that the ICAC had exercised its investigative powers properly. Only 5.5 percent held an opposite view, compared with 7.7 percent in the previous ye ar.
Of those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external monitoring, 60.8 percent thought the present level of supervision and control was adequate.
The 2003 survey revealed that the Hong Kong community was more optimistic about the future corruption situation with only 30.7 per cent of respondents considering that graft would increase in the next 12 months compared with 36.8 percent in 2002.
Among those who believed corruption might rise, over half (50.8%) attributed it to economic factors.
"Partly due to the weak economy in recent years, the number of corruption reports, especially those pertaining to the private sector, has remained on the high side," the spokesman said.
"The overall corruption situation has continued to be kept in check through an effective integrated approach –'96 corruption scams uncovered are promptly followed up by preventive advice, which seeks to minimize opportunities for corrupt practices in vulnerable areas, and education efforts, which heightens awareness against graft.
"As the ICAC enters its 30th year of service, we are encouraged by the findings which reflect public confidence in the ICAC, and the general performance of the Commission.
"With the backing of the community, the ICAC will continue to fight corruption without fear or favour," the spokesman said.
According to the ICAC 2003 Annual Survey, 70.8 per cent of respondents replied that corruption was not common in government departments –'96 the highest in three years; whereas only 17.7 per cent of respondents perceived that graft was still a problem in the government sector, the lowest since 2001.
Likewise, the 2003 survey also reported that a record proportion of respondents (45.9%) considered that corruption was not prevalent in the business sector. Only 42.4 per cent and 36 per cent of respondents respectively held the same view in 2002 and 2001 .
"The public's perception of a relatively clean society in Hong Kong is to a certain extent borne out by their own experience as 95.4 percent indicated that neither they nor their relatives and friends had come across corruption in the past 12 months," sai d a spokesman for the ICAC, adding that only 3.3 per cent answered in the affirmative.
The survey, which polled 1,500 citizens through random sampling by a professional research company appointed by the ICAC, also found that people had become more willing to report corruption and reveal their identities when lodging complaints.
About 68.5 percent of the respondents indicated their willingness to report corruption while 75.9 percent said they would identify themselves in doing so –'96 the highest in both categories since 1998.
This readiness of complainants to identify themselves was consistent with the percentage of non-anonymous reports received by the ICAC last year, which stood at a high of 72 percent.
"The public's increased willingness to report graft could be explained by their intolerance of corruption and confidence in the ICAC," the spokesman noted.
The survey, which was conducted in October last year, employed a 0–'9610 point scale to gauge the public's attitude towards corruption, with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance.
A record low mean score of 0.9 was recorded for tolerance of corruption in the civil service while the score for tolerance in the business sector was a low of 1.7.
"These findings point to the fact that a culture of probity has firmly taken root in our society, thanks to the concerted efforts of the government and the community over the decades," the spokesman added.
The survey also revealed that the ICAC had continued to be rated an effective anti-corruption agency by the public. In line with survey findings in recent years, up to 67.3 per cent said the ICAC was very effective or effective.
Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority or 99.3 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC worthy of their support –'96 the highest ever registered and reflection of the solid public commitment behind the anti-corruption cause.
The survey also found the ICAC was well trusted in its investigative work, with 88.9 per cent of respondents having expressed faith in the ICAC in keeping complaints confidential, and 73.4 per cent respondents confident in ICAC’s impartiality in conducting investigations.
In addition, 79.6 per cent of citizens polled considered the level of powers entrusted to the ICAC appropriate. Only 1.6 per cent believed ICAC's powers were too extensive –'96 the lowest since the question was first asked in 1994. Meanwhile, 64.3 per cent of respondents considered that the ICAC had exercised its investigative powers properly. Only 5.5 percent held an opposite view, compared with 7.7 percent in the previous ye ar.
Of those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external monitoring, 60.8 percent thought the present level of supervision and control was adequate.
The 2003 survey revealed that the Hong Kong community was more optimistic about the future corruption situation with only 30.7 per cent of respondents considering that graft would increase in the next 12 months compared with 36.8 percent in 2002.
Among those who believed corruption might rise, over half (50.8%) attributed it to economic factors.
"Partly due to the weak economy in recent years, the number of corruption reports, especially those pertaining to the private sector, has remained on the high side," the spokesman said.
"The overall corruption situation has continued to be kept in check through an effective integrated approach –'96 corruption scams uncovered are promptly followed up by preventive advice, which seeks to minimize opportunities for corrupt practices in vulnerable areas, and education efforts, which heightens awareness against graft.
"As the ICAC enters its 30th year of service, we are encouraged by the findings which reflect public confidence in the ICAC, and the general performance of the Commission.
"With the backing of the community, the ICAC will continue to fight corruption without fear or favour," the spokesman said.