ICAC survey finds the public optimistic but remains vigilant against corruption
2005-8-12
With an improved economy, the public's perception of the corruption situation in Hong Kong has become more positive while the community continues to demonstrate intolerance and vigilance against graft, the latest ICAC annual survey revealed.
According to the ICAC 2004 Annual Survey, 66.3 per cent of respondents considered that corruption was uncommon in Hong Kong –'96 the highest percentage recorded in the past three years.
Compared with the 2003 survey findings, more people or about 70 per cent of the respondents considered that corruption would decrease or remain steady in the next 12 months. Only 20.5 per cent held an opposite view, representing a significant drop of ove r 10 percentage points from the previous year.
Since 1998, respondents who predicted that corruption would increase have consistently cited the poor economy as the main reason. In the 2004 survey, only 26.1 per cent of respondents shared similar views - a sharp drop from 50.8 per cent in 2003.
"While the economic downturn in the past few years might have made people apprehensive about the threat of corruption, they have become more optimistic about the situation under improved economic conditions, according to the latest survey," an ICAC spokes man said.
"In fact, an extremely low proportion - only about two per cent of respondents said they had come across corruption in the past year –'96 the lowest rate ever recorded."
The survey, polling 1,500 citizens through random sampling, was conducted around end of last year by a professional research company commissioned by the ICAC.
The latest survey continued to assess the public's attitude towards corruption by using a 0 –'96 10 point scale, with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance. Same as 2003, the mean scores for public tolerance of corruption in both the civil service and the business sector –'96 at 0.9 and 1.7 respectively –'96 remained at a record low level.
Meanwhile, 67.5 per cent of respondents said the ICAC was very effective or effective, similar to the annual survey findings in recent years. Most cited ICAC’s numerous successful cases, its anti-corruption publicity and education efforts, and less corruption in Hong Kong as the main reasons to support their views.
The survey also found that the ICAC continued to enjoy strong public support. While an overwhelming majority or 99.1 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC deserved their support, 68.2 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, and 7 1 per cent were ready to identify themselves in doing so.
In the latest survey, an additional question was included to further gauge the level of public confidence in the ICAC. On a 0 –'96 10 point scale, with 0 representing no confidence at all and 10 completely confident, a mean score of 7.5 was recorded.
As regards public perception of ICAC's powers and accountability, the survey revealed that a majority of respondents or 89.3 per cent trusted the ICAC would keep reports received confidential.
Meanwhile, 70.9 per cent of respondents considered that the ICAC was impartial in its investigations. And 59 per cent believed that it had not abused its powers. Those who thought otherwise (17.6 per cent) had attributed their views to media reports, wi th some saying it was purely "guessing".
The survey also showed that 57.2 per cent of the respondents were aware that the ICAC was subject to external monitoring. Of these, about 60 per cent considered the current level of external supervision of the anti-corruption agency adequate.
"It is very encouraging to find that the ICAC continues to enjoy a high degree of public confidence. We will continue to fight corruption without fear or favour, and in accordance with the law. In discharging our anti-corruption duties, we will at all t imes adhere to the principles of integrity and fair play.
"To enhance the public's understanding of our anti-corruption efforts, we will step up our efforts to explain our work, powers and the system of checks and balances to the community, particularly through the mass media.
"The ICAC remains committed to upholding a clean civil service and promoting a level playing field for doing business with a comprehensive approach of tackling graft through the three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and education.
"The latest survey results will serve as useful reference for us to fine-tune our work strategies in achieving these goals," the spokesman concluded.
According to the ICAC 2004 Annual Survey, 66.3 per cent of respondents considered that corruption was uncommon in Hong Kong –'96 the highest percentage recorded in the past three years.
Compared with the 2003 survey findings, more people or about 70 per cent of the respondents considered that corruption would decrease or remain steady in the next 12 months. Only 20.5 per cent held an opposite view, representing a significant drop of ove r 10 percentage points from the previous year.
Since 1998, respondents who predicted that corruption would increase have consistently cited the poor economy as the main reason. In the 2004 survey, only 26.1 per cent of respondents shared similar views - a sharp drop from 50.8 per cent in 2003.
"While the economic downturn in the past few years might have made people apprehensive about the threat of corruption, they have become more optimistic about the situation under improved economic conditions, according to the latest survey," an ICAC spokes man said.
"In fact, an extremely low proportion - only about two per cent of respondents said they had come across corruption in the past year –'96 the lowest rate ever recorded."
The survey, polling 1,500 citizens through random sampling, was conducted around end of last year by a professional research company commissioned by the ICAC.
The latest survey continued to assess the public's attitude towards corruption by using a 0 –'96 10 point scale, with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance. Same as 2003, the mean scores for public tolerance of corruption in both the civil service and the business sector –'96 at 0.9 and 1.7 respectively –'96 remained at a record low level.
Meanwhile, 67.5 per cent of respondents said the ICAC was very effective or effective, similar to the annual survey findings in recent years. Most cited ICAC’s numerous successful cases, its anti-corruption publicity and education efforts, and less corruption in Hong Kong as the main reasons to support their views.
The survey also found that the ICAC continued to enjoy strong public support. While an overwhelming majority or 99.1 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC deserved their support, 68.2 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, and 7 1 per cent were ready to identify themselves in doing so.
In the latest survey, an additional question was included to further gauge the level of public confidence in the ICAC. On a 0 –'96 10 point scale, with 0 representing no confidence at all and 10 completely confident, a mean score of 7.5 was recorded.
As regards public perception of ICAC's powers and accountability, the survey revealed that a majority of respondents or 89.3 per cent trusted the ICAC would keep reports received confidential.
Meanwhile, 70.9 per cent of respondents considered that the ICAC was impartial in its investigations. And 59 per cent believed that it had not abused its powers. Those who thought otherwise (17.6 per cent) had attributed their views to media reports, wi th some saying it was purely "guessing".
The survey also showed that 57.2 per cent of the respondents were aware that the ICAC was subject to external monitoring. Of these, about 60 per cent considered the current level of external supervision of the anti-corruption agency adequate.
"It is very encouraging to find that the ICAC continues to enjoy a high degree of public confidence. We will continue to fight corruption without fear or favour, and in accordance with the law. In discharging our anti-corruption duties, we will at all t imes adhere to the principles of integrity and fair play.
"To enhance the public's understanding of our anti-corruption efforts, we will step up our efforts to explain our work, powers and the system of checks and balances to the community, particularly through the mass media.
"The ICAC remains committed to upholding a clean civil service and promoting a level playing field for doing business with a comprehensive approach of tackling graft through the three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and education.
"The latest survey results will serve as useful reference for us to fine-tune our work strategies in achieving these goals," the spokesman concluded.