HD Surveyor gets eight months for misconduct in awarding $5.9m worth of contracts
2004-5-17
A Maintenance Surveyor of the Housing Department (HD), charged by the ICAC, was today (Monday) sentenced to eight months' imprisonment at District Court for misconduct in public office in awarding $5.97 million worth of maintenance contracts of various HD housing estates and shopping centres.
Irene Wong, 45, was earlier found guilty on seven counts of misconduct in public office under the Common Law. The court ordered another similar charge be left on file.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Line said preserving a civil service that was honest and impartial in its dealings with the public was important to Hong Kong, adding that for this reason, the defendant’s immediate imprisonment was required.
The judge also reprimanded Wong for showing no remorse and damaging the integrity of HD's system of awarding contracts.
The judge added that the root of Wong's crimes laid in greed: getting more than a fair share for those she wanted to favour.
"No one wants to live in a society where success in private enterprise can be perceived to be dependant in any part on having family relations or connections in Government," the judge said.
The court heard that at the time of the offences between 1996 and 1999, Wong was the project officer overseeing various HD maintenance projects. Her duties included calling for tenders and recommending contractors for the relevant projects.
Wong came to know Chung Tat-yan in 1994, who operated Harbour Grow Holdings Limited (Harbour Grow), Wo Loong Engineering and Construction Limited (Wo Loong), and Hong Kong Building Products Limited (HKBPL).
ICAC investigations revealed that Wong's immediate family and relatives had an interest in the holding company of Harbour Grow, while Wong herself was the registered secretary of that company.
The court heard that Wong had shown improper partiality towards Harbour Grow, Wo Loong and HKBPL in awarding various maintenance projects between 1996 and 1999, and failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from her relationship with Chung.
As a result, HD had awarded maintenance contracts, worth $4,355,581 in total, to those companies controlled by Chung.
The court also heard that Wong had arranged for Fong Wing Shing Construction Company Limited (FWS) to submit a quotation for another maintenance contract on behalf of HKBPL, knowing that the latter was less qualified to be awarded the contract.
Upon Wong's recommendation, HD accepted the quotation submitted by FWS and awarded the company a contract worth $1,618,847. FWS later subcontracted the same project to HKBPL upon Wong's request.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Winnie Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.
Irene Wong, 45, was earlier found guilty on seven counts of misconduct in public office under the Common Law. The court ordered another similar charge be left on file.
In sentencing, Judge Peter Line said preserving a civil service that was honest and impartial in its dealings with the public was important to Hong Kong, adding that for this reason, the defendant’s immediate imprisonment was required.
The judge also reprimanded Wong for showing no remorse and damaging the integrity of HD's system of awarding contracts.
The judge added that the root of Wong's crimes laid in greed: getting more than a fair share for those she wanted to favour.
"No one wants to live in a society where success in private enterprise can be perceived to be dependant in any part on having family relations or connections in Government," the judge said.
The court heard that at the time of the offences between 1996 and 1999, Wong was the project officer overseeing various HD maintenance projects. Her duties included calling for tenders and recommending contractors for the relevant projects.
Wong came to know Chung Tat-yan in 1994, who operated Harbour Grow Holdings Limited (Harbour Grow), Wo Loong Engineering and Construction Limited (Wo Loong), and Hong Kong Building Products Limited (HKBPL).
ICAC investigations revealed that Wong's immediate family and relatives had an interest in the holding company of Harbour Grow, while Wong herself was the registered secretary of that company.
The court heard that Wong had shown improper partiality towards Harbour Grow, Wo Loong and HKBPL in awarding various maintenance projects between 1996 and 1999, and failed to declare a conflict of interest arising from her relationship with Chung.
As a result, HD had awarded maintenance contracts, worth $4,355,581 in total, to those companies controlled by Chung.
The court also heard that Wong had arranged for Fong Wing Shing Construction Company Limited (FWS) to submit a quotation for another maintenance contract on behalf of HKBPL, knowing that the latter was less qualified to be awarded the contract.
Upon Wong's recommendation, HD accepted the quotation submitted by FWS and awarded the company a contract worth $1,618,847. FWS later subcontracted the same project to HKBPL upon Wong's request.
The prosecution was today represented by Senior Government Counsel Winnie Ho, assisted by ICAC officer Jonathan Ho.