ICAC Press Statement
2005-7-15
ICAC Commissioner, Raymond Wong Hung-chiu, today (July 15) says that Director of Investigation (Government Sector) of the Operations Department, Gilbert Chan Tak-shing, resigned due to personal reasons and commends him for his distinguished performance in carrying out anti-corruption duties steadfastly during his long service with the Commission.
He says the ICAC has long-term succession planning. There are very competent officers in the Operations Department ready to take up higher responsibilities.
A seasoned Assistant Director of the Operations Department will take over Mr Chan’s job on acting appointment. The selection of the successor will be conducted in accordance with established procedures and the result will be announced in due course.
Mr Wong stresses that the Operations Department will continue to rigorously and effectively enforce the law to bring the corrupt to book.
He says staff turnover rate has been kept at a healthy level and there is no sign of the so-called “mass exodus” of staff. In the first half of this year, a total of 46 ICAC officers left the Commission, including those returning to the government and retiring. The staff turnover is comparable to the same period last year.
Mr Wong points out that as Mr Chan resigned due to personal reasons, any speculations about his departure are unnecessary.
He also stresses that the government has attached great importance to and supports the anti-corruption work of the ICAC. Any speculation about the Government’s intention to “tidy up” the ICAC is totally unfounded.
He also notes that all ICAC officers on Directorate Pay Scale D3 or above are required to seek the permission from the ICAC Commissioner before taking up any paid employment within one year following their departure, to ensure there will not be any confli cts of interest.
He says the ICAC has long-term succession planning. There are very competent officers in the Operations Department ready to take up higher responsibilities.
A seasoned Assistant Director of the Operations Department will take over Mr Chan’s job on acting appointment. The selection of the successor will be conducted in accordance with established procedures and the result will be announced in due course.
Mr Wong stresses that the Operations Department will continue to rigorously and effectively enforce the law to bring the corrupt to book.
He says staff turnover rate has been kept at a healthy level and there is no sign of the so-called “mass exodus” of staff. In the first half of this year, a total of 46 ICAC officers left the Commission, including those returning to the government and retiring. The staff turnover is comparable to the same period last year.
Mr Wong points out that as Mr Chan resigned due to personal reasons, any speculations about his departure are unnecessary.
He also stresses that the government has attached great importance to and supports the anti-corruption work of the ICAC. Any speculation about the Government’s intention to “tidy up” the ICAC is totally unfounded.
He also notes that all ICAC officers on Directorate Pay Scale D3 or above are required to seek the permission from the ICAC Commissioner before taking up any paid employment within one year following their departure, to ensure there will not be any confli cts of interest.