ICAC continues to pursue proactive strategy amidst stable graft situation
2004-7-7
The ICAC has continued to vigilantly pursue a proactive strategy in all prongs of its anti corruption services to the community, while the graft situation remained under control in the past year, the 2003 ICAC Annual Report affirms.
Presenting the annual report at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday), Legislative Councillor and member of the Advisory Committee on Corruption, Sin Chung-kai, was pleased that amidst a stable corruption situation, the Commission had launched various initiatives to enhance effectiveness in the fight against corruption, to meet the public's increasing expectations.
Last year, the ICAC received 4,310 corruption reports, representing a one percent drop from the 4,371 reports recorded in 2002.
Complaints concerning the private sector continued to take up a higher proportion - 57% of the total, while government departments and public bodies accounted for 36% and 7% respectively.
Despite the stabilising trend in corruption complaints, the Commission continued to expose many corruption cases, which might go unreported, through the use of undercover operations, informants, and the development and analysis of intelligence, Mr Sin poi nted out.
Overall, a total of 421 persons were prosecuted last year for corruption and related offences in 201 cases. The case-based conviction rate stood high at 85 per cent, partly attributed to the success of the proactive strategy.
In tackling the many complex corruption related fraud cases during the year, ICAC's Financial Investigation Section had provided expert assistance in financial analysis and asset tracing concerning over 2,400 bogus letters of credit and other business tra nsactions, with a total value exceeding $5 billion.
The Annual Report also revealed that in 2003, 69% of defendants charged by the ICAC in relation to private sector cases were occupying managerial or supervisory positions, representing a noticeble increase from 52% in 2002.
Supported by regulatory bodies in the financial sector, the Commission towards the end of 2003 launched a Business Ethics Promotion Programme for all listed companies in Hong Kong to foster good corporate governance.
In the Annual Report, ICAC Commissioner, Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, asserted that according to ICAC analysis and intelligence, the civil service is clean and there are no signs of any syndicated corruption.
However, in light of a number of misconduct in public office cases uncovered in the past years, a series of studies into existing declaration of interest systems were conducted, particularly in relation to public procurement.
The Commission continued to work closely with the Civil Service Bureau to assist government departments in raising ethical standard through integrity training and reviewing or formulating code of conduct or guidelines.
Prior to the pronouncement of the "Individual Visit" scheme for Mainland visitors, the ICAC early last year launched an ethics promotion programme for tourism practitioners, in light of the rising inbound travel.
Mr Wong also noted that following the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement early last year, the ICAC planned to hold a seminar for cross boundary investors and managers, to enhance their understanding of anti corruption laws and r egulations in the two places.
On the coming Legislative Council Election, he pledged that the Commission would “render its utmost to provide assistance to candidates, agents and helpers to abide by the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance to sustain the good name of Hong Kong as having one of the cleanest election culture in the world.”
Mr Wong also assured the public that in continuing the drive to enhance efficiency, the ICAC would not allow cost saving measures to compromise its frontline service and investigative capability.
In looking ahead, he said the ICAC would conduct a comprehensive review on ICAC's information technology infrastructure, to harness the benefits of advanced technology to boost overall effectiveness and efficiency.
On the international front, the Commissioner noted that the launching of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption late last year, to which the Mainland is a signatory, heralded a new chapter in the global fight against corruption.
The ICAC would monitor closely the ratification of the Convention and study its possible implications for Hong Kong.
Presenting the annual report at the Legislative Council today (Wednesday), Legislative Councillor and member of the Advisory Committee on Corruption, Sin Chung-kai, was pleased that amidst a stable corruption situation, the Commission had launched various initiatives to enhance effectiveness in the fight against corruption, to meet the public's increasing expectations.
Last year, the ICAC received 4,310 corruption reports, representing a one percent drop from the 4,371 reports recorded in 2002.
Complaints concerning the private sector continued to take up a higher proportion - 57% of the total, while government departments and public bodies accounted for 36% and 7% respectively.
Despite the stabilising trend in corruption complaints, the Commission continued to expose many corruption cases, which might go unreported, through the use of undercover operations, informants, and the development and analysis of intelligence, Mr Sin poi nted out.
Overall, a total of 421 persons were prosecuted last year for corruption and related offences in 201 cases. The case-based conviction rate stood high at 85 per cent, partly attributed to the success of the proactive strategy.
In tackling the many complex corruption related fraud cases during the year, ICAC's Financial Investigation Section had provided expert assistance in financial analysis and asset tracing concerning over 2,400 bogus letters of credit and other business tra nsactions, with a total value exceeding $5 billion.
The Annual Report also revealed that in 2003, 69% of defendants charged by the ICAC in relation to private sector cases were occupying managerial or supervisory positions, representing a noticeble increase from 52% in 2002.
Supported by regulatory bodies in the financial sector, the Commission towards the end of 2003 launched a Business Ethics Promotion Programme for all listed companies in Hong Kong to foster good corporate governance.
In the Annual Report, ICAC Commissioner, Mr Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, asserted that according to ICAC analysis and intelligence, the civil service is clean and there are no signs of any syndicated corruption.
However, in light of a number of misconduct in public office cases uncovered in the past years, a series of studies into existing declaration of interest systems were conducted, particularly in relation to public procurement.
The Commission continued to work closely with the Civil Service Bureau to assist government departments in raising ethical standard through integrity training and reviewing or formulating code of conduct or guidelines.
Prior to the pronouncement of the "Individual Visit" scheme for Mainland visitors, the ICAC early last year launched an ethics promotion programme for tourism practitioners, in light of the rising inbound travel.
Mr Wong also noted that following the implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement early last year, the ICAC planned to hold a seminar for cross boundary investors and managers, to enhance their understanding of anti corruption laws and r egulations in the two places.
On the coming Legislative Council Election, he pledged that the Commission would “render its utmost to provide assistance to candidates, agents and helpers to abide by the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance to sustain the good name of Hong Kong as having one of the cleanest election culture in the world.”
Mr Wong also assured the public that in continuing the drive to enhance efficiency, the ICAC would not allow cost saving measures to compromise its frontline service and investigative capability.
In looking ahead, he said the ICAC would conduct a comprehensive review on ICAC's information technology infrastructure, to harness the benefits of advanced technology to boost overall effectiveness and efficiency.
On the international front, the Commissioner noted that the launching of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption late last year, to which the Mainland is a signatory, heralded a new chapter in the global fight against corruption.
The ICAC would monitor closely the ratification of the Convention and study its possible implications for Hong Kong.