Conviction rate of ICAC cases reaches 89% despite increased challenges
2006-12-5
In the first ten months of this year, non-anonymous corruption complaints received by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) stood at a high level of 73% while the overall conviction rate of ICAC cases was 89%, Dr Raymond Ch'ien Kuo-fung, Ch airman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption revealed.
Speaking at an annual press briefing today (Tuesday), Dr Ch'ien said the corruption situation in Hong Kong remained under effective control, with a 9% decrease in the total number of corruption complaints during the period.
However, he pointed out that ICAC officers faced challenges as a result of the increasingly complex and sophisticated nature of corruption crimes, rising public concerns over human rights and privacy, and new statutory requirements.
Dr Ch'ien stressed that the ICAC would need to continuously upgrade the professionalism of its officers and strengthen liaison and exchanges with law enforcement agencies overseas and in the Mainland so as to effectively combat transnational and cross-bou ndary corruption activities.
Co-hosting the press briefing were Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung, Chairman of the Operations Review Committee (ORC); Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC); and Mr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR).
Dr Chuang shared similar views that training remained a high priority for the ICAC in face of the increasingly complex corruption cases.
Of the 2,749 corruption reports received in the first 10 months of this year, 61% concerned the private sector while 32% were against government departments and 7% related to public bodies.
While corruption reports concerning government departments registered a 10% decrease, Dr Chuang pointed out that indebtedness, gambling and misuse of authority involving some public officers were areas of concern.
Meanwhile, the ORC was also concerned about some law enforcement officers abusing their authority and maintaining undesirable associations, although complaints against law enforcement departments had decreased by 14% to 384.
In the private sector, building management complaints remained high at 669, accounting for 40% of the private sector total. While most of these reports were of a minor nature, more serious corruption had emerged in the area of awarding renovation contrac ts.
The finance and insurance sector attracted 142 reports in the first 10 months - the second highest number in the private sector. Dr Chuang urged the industries to adopt a more proactive approach to internal governance and risk management.
Referring to the 207 defendants in prosecutions in relation to the private sector completed during the year, Dr Chuang noted that 141 persons, or 68.1% were senior executive, directors, company chairmen and professional advisers.
On the preventive side, CPAC Chairman Mr Philip Chen remarked that during the year, the Commission had conducted preventive studies closely related to people's daily life, covering a wide range of areas including law enforcement, public procurement, licen sing and inspection system and public works.
He cited some recent studies on government departments' procedures for outsourcing public services to prevent illegal wage deduction concerning non-skilled workers, and the management of government crematoria as examples.
Mr Chen said the ICAC had set up a dedicated team since April this year to provide early corruption prevention input to bureaux, departments and public bodies involved in major projects, such as the Ocean Park redevelopment project and the Cruise Terminal Project.
On the educational front, CACCR Chairman Mr Moses Cheng said as further implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement had opened up the Mainland market for Hong Kong's professional services, the ICAC had stepped up the promotion of ethical management in cross boundary businesses among professionals, e.g. chartered secretaries and accountants.
With the conclusion of the Business Ethics Promotion Programme for listed companies, the ICAC continued to proactively contact all newly listed companies to promote ethical practices.
Meanwhile, a corruption prevention tool kit would also be launched for the banking and finance sectors later this month.
Mr Cheng also revealed that the ICAC and the Civil Service Bureau had set in train the establishment of Ethics Officers in individual departments to help promote an ethical culture in government departments.
In view of the large number of corruption reports relating to building management, the ICAC's special task force had continued to co-operate with the Hong Kong Housing Society in organising joint workshops for management bodies under the Building Manageme nt and Maintenance Scheme, said Mr Cheng, while corruption prevention workshops were held for owners' corporations, consultancy firms and construction companies involving in building renovation projects.
On youth education, Mr Cheng expressed his support for ICAC's latest initiative in launching an ethical leadership training programme for university students, which would culminate in a Youth Summit to be held in March next year.
Speaking at an annual press briefing today (Tuesday), Dr Ch'ien said the corruption situation in Hong Kong remained under effective control, with a 9% decrease in the total number of corruption complaints during the period.
However, he pointed out that ICAC officers faced challenges as a result of the increasingly complex and sophisticated nature of corruption crimes, rising public concerns over human rights and privacy, and new statutory requirements.
Dr Ch'ien stressed that the ICAC would need to continuously upgrade the professionalism of its officers and strengthen liaison and exchanges with law enforcement agencies overseas and in the Mainland so as to effectively combat transnational and cross-bou ndary corruption activities.
Co-hosting the press briefing were Dr Andrew Chuang Siu-leung, Chairman of the Operations Review Committee (ORC); Mr Philip Chen Nan-lok, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC); and Mr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Chairman of the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations (CACCR).
Dr Chuang shared similar views that training remained a high priority for the ICAC in face of the increasingly complex corruption cases.
Of the 2,749 corruption reports received in the first 10 months of this year, 61% concerned the private sector while 32% were against government departments and 7% related to public bodies.
While corruption reports concerning government departments registered a 10% decrease, Dr Chuang pointed out that indebtedness, gambling and misuse of authority involving some public officers were areas of concern.
Meanwhile, the ORC was also concerned about some law enforcement officers abusing their authority and maintaining undesirable associations, although complaints against law enforcement departments had decreased by 14% to 384.
In the private sector, building management complaints remained high at 669, accounting for 40% of the private sector total. While most of these reports were of a minor nature, more serious corruption had emerged in the area of awarding renovation contrac ts.
The finance and insurance sector attracted 142 reports in the first 10 months - the second highest number in the private sector. Dr Chuang urged the industries to adopt a more proactive approach to internal governance and risk management.
Referring to the 207 defendants in prosecutions in relation to the private sector completed during the year, Dr Chuang noted that 141 persons, or 68.1% were senior executive, directors, company chairmen and professional advisers.
On the preventive side, CPAC Chairman Mr Philip Chen remarked that during the year, the Commission had conducted preventive studies closely related to people's daily life, covering a wide range of areas including law enforcement, public procurement, licen sing and inspection system and public works.
He cited some recent studies on government departments' procedures for outsourcing public services to prevent illegal wage deduction concerning non-skilled workers, and the management of government crematoria as examples.
Mr Chen said the ICAC had set up a dedicated team since April this year to provide early corruption prevention input to bureaux, departments and public bodies involved in major projects, such as the Ocean Park redevelopment project and the Cruise Terminal Project.
On the educational front, CACCR Chairman Mr Moses Cheng said as further implementation of the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement had opened up the Mainland market for Hong Kong's professional services, the ICAC had stepped up the promotion of ethical management in cross boundary businesses among professionals, e.g. chartered secretaries and accountants.
With the conclusion of the Business Ethics Promotion Programme for listed companies, the ICAC continued to proactively contact all newly listed companies to promote ethical practices.
Meanwhile, a corruption prevention tool kit would also be launched for the banking and finance sectors later this month.
Mr Cheng also revealed that the ICAC and the Civil Service Bureau had set in train the establishment of Ethics Officers in individual departments to help promote an ethical culture in government departments.
In view of the large number of corruption reports relating to building management, the ICAC's special task force had continued to co-operate with the Hong Kong Housing Society in organising joint workshops for management bodies under the Building Manageme nt and Maintenance Scheme, said Mr Cheng, while corruption prevention workshops were held for owners' corporations, consultancy firms and construction companies involving in building renovation projects.
On youth education, Mr Cheng expressed his support for ICAC's latest initiative in launching an ethical leadership training programme for university students, which would culminate in a Youth Summit to be held in March next year.