Survey finds ICAC an effective and reliable anti-corruption agency
2008-4-30
The public continues to rate the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as an effective and trustworthy anti-graft agency, according to a poll conducted late last year.
The 2007 ICAC annual survey found that 73.8 per cent of respondents considered the Commission as very effective or effective in fighting corruption –'96 the highest rating in 10 years.
Besides, a vast majority or 90.4 per cent trusted that reports made to the ICAC were kept confidential while 76.4 per cent believed the agency was impartial in conducting investigations.
The poll also found that an overwhelming majority or 98.5 per cent of respondents expressed support for the ICAC.
The survey, carried out by a professional research company, polled a random sample of 1,504 persons in Hong Kong by phone between October and November in 2007.
According to the survey, Hong Kong was generally perceived to be a clean society as 68.6 per cent believed that corruption was uncommon while 77.5 per cent expected less corruption or a steady corruption situation in the coming year.
This perception was borne out by the actual experience of the respondents. The vast majority –'96 96.3 per cent –'96 indicated that they or their friends and relatives had not encountered corruption in the past 12 months. Only a record low of 2.3 per cent suggested otherwise.
On a 0-10 point scale (with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance), the mean scores for public tolerance of corruption in the government and the business sector were 0.9 and 1.5 respectively.
While 72.5 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, 71.2 per cent said they were ready to reveal their identity when doing so.
The survey also showed that while a significant proportion of respondents –'96 43.2 per cent –'96 held that the anti-corruption agency should dedicate efforts to fighting graft in both the public and the private sectors, a record high proportion or 32.1 per cent suggested priority should be given to tackling business corruption.
Meanwhile, a majority or 81.1 per cent considered the current level of powers enjoyed by the ICAC was appropriate and 64.2 per cent thought that it had not abused its powers.
Amongst those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external supervision, 56.5 per cent considered the supervision was appropriate.
“The public views gauged through this survey will serve as useful reference for the Commission to fine-tune our anti-corruption strategies with a view to achieving the best possible results.
“We feel particularly encouraged by the strong community support reflected in the survey. The ICAC will make relentless efforts to combat corruption impartially and rigorously through an integrated approach of detection, prevention and education,” the Commission spokesman added.
The 2007 ICAC annual survey found that 73.8 per cent of respondents considered the Commission as very effective or effective in fighting corruption –'96 the highest rating in 10 years.
Besides, a vast majority or 90.4 per cent trusted that reports made to the ICAC were kept confidential while 76.4 per cent believed the agency was impartial in conducting investigations.
The poll also found that an overwhelming majority or 98.5 per cent of respondents expressed support for the ICAC.
The survey, carried out by a professional research company, polled a random sample of 1,504 persons in Hong Kong by phone between October and November in 2007.
According to the survey, Hong Kong was generally perceived to be a clean society as 68.6 per cent believed that corruption was uncommon while 77.5 per cent expected less corruption or a steady corruption situation in the coming year.
This perception was borne out by the actual experience of the respondents. The vast majority –'96 96.3 per cent –'96 indicated that they or their friends and relatives had not encountered corruption in the past 12 months. Only a record low of 2.3 per cent suggested otherwise.
On a 0-10 point scale (with 0 representing total rejection and 10 total tolerance), the mean scores for public tolerance of corruption in the government and the business sector were 0.9 and 1.5 respectively.
While 72.5 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, 71.2 per cent said they were ready to reveal their identity when doing so.
The survey also showed that while a significant proportion of respondents –'96 43.2 per cent –'96 held that the anti-corruption agency should dedicate efforts to fighting graft in both the public and the private sectors, a record high proportion or 32.1 per cent suggested priority should be given to tackling business corruption.
Meanwhile, a majority or 81.1 per cent considered the current level of powers enjoyed by the ICAC was appropriate and 64.2 per cent thought that it had not abused its powers.
Amongst those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external supervision, 56.5 per cent considered the supervision was appropriate.
“The public views gauged through this survey will serve as useful reference for the Commission to fine-tune our anti-corruption strategies with a view to achieving the best possible results.
“We feel particularly encouraged by the strong community support reflected in the survey. The ICAC will make relentless efforts to combat corruption impartially and rigorously through an integrated approach of detection, prevention and education,” the Commission spokesman added.