Survey finds more people worry poor economy may bring graft
2009-4-30
Poor economy was viewed by a rising portion of the general public as the main cause for a possible increase in corruption, the latest ICAC opinion survey has revealed.
The 2008 ICAC Annual Survey found that while 65.7 per cent of the respondents expected the corruption situation would remain steady, 25 per cent anticipated that graft cases might increase, the highest percentage in the past four years.
Amongst those who shared this worry, the majority or 85.2 per cent believed that “people were eager to earn quick money due to the poor economy” or “the difficulty to earn a living in Hong Kong”.
In the 2007 survey, 18.6 per cent of respondents predicted graft might rise.
An ICAC spokesman said: “Amidst the economic downturn, the temptation to cut corners may become less resistible. The worry is understandable and appears to tally with the latest trends of corruption reports.”
In the first quarter of this year, the ICAC received 811 corruption reports, representing a rise of 23 per cent when compared with 659 reports in the same period last year.
Of the total graft reports received by the ICAC, 512 or 63 per cent concerned the private sector. Complaints against government departments took up 32 per cent, while the remaining five per cent was against public bodies.
Despite more reports in the last few months, the ICAC spokesman assured the public that the anti-graft agency was taking positive steps to brace for any changes in the corruption scene through intensified training and enhanced investigative capability.
The ICAC would also bolster its community education efforts to reinforce the probity messages and remind the public that corruption was a high-risk crime, the spokesman added.
The survey, which was carried out by a professional research company, polled a random sample of 1,543 persons in Hong Kong by phone in November 2008.
According to the survey, Hong Kong was generally perceived as a clean society as the proportion of respondents who regarded corruption was uncommon rose to a record 71.2 per cent.
This perception was borne out by the actual experience of the respondents. The vast majority –'96 97 per cent –'96 indicated that they or their friends and relatives had not encountered corruption in the past 12 months. Only 2.6 per cent suggested otherwise.
The survey also reflected that the public was standing a strong stance against corruption. 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 bu siness sector were 0.8 and 1.4 respectively.
The poll also found that 99.4 per cent of respondents expressed support for the ICAC –'96 the highest since 1994 when the question was first posed.
“The overwhelming public support was also evident in the public’s willingness to report corruption to the ICAC,” the spokesman noted.
While 81.3 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, 73.8 per cent said they were ready to reveal their identities when reporting graft. Both percentage points were the highest over the past four years.
“This high level of public confidence in the ICAC has translated into a record 74 per cent of non-anonymous complaints actually received by the ICAC last year,” the spokesman said.
The 2008 survey also showed that most respondents had strong confidence in how the ICAC handled its investigative work.
While a vast majority or 92.9 per cent trusted that reports made to the ICAC were kept confidential, 81.1 per cent believed the agency was impartial in conducting investigations.
A significant proportion or 72.3 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC very effective or effective in fighting corruption.
Meanwhile, 80.3 per cent considered the current level of statutory powers entrusted to the ICAC was appropriate and 77.3 per cent believed that it had not abused its powers.
Amongst those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external scrutiny, 62.7 per cent considered the present level of supervision appropriate.
“In facing various challenges, the ICAC will remain committed to fighting corruption rigorously through a three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and education.
“We will closely monitor the graft situation and fine-tune our anti-corruption strategies from time to time, taking into account socio- economic changes and the public views gauged through this survey,” the spokesman added.
The 2008 ICAC Annual Survey found that while 65.7 per cent of the respondents expected the corruption situation would remain steady, 25 per cent anticipated that graft cases might increase, the highest percentage in the past four years.
Amongst those who shared this worry, the majority or 85.2 per cent believed that “people were eager to earn quick money due to the poor economy” or “the difficulty to earn a living in Hong Kong”.
In the 2007 survey, 18.6 per cent of respondents predicted graft might rise.
An ICAC spokesman said: “Amidst the economic downturn, the temptation to cut corners may become less resistible. The worry is understandable and appears to tally with the latest trends of corruption reports.”
In the first quarter of this year, the ICAC received 811 corruption reports, representing a rise of 23 per cent when compared with 659 reports in the same period last year.
Of the total graft reports received by the ICAC, 512 or 63 per cent concerned the private sector. Complaints against government departments took up 32 per cent, while the remaining five per cent was against public bodies.
Despite more reports in the last few months, the ICAC spokesman assured the public that the anti-graft agency was taking positive steps to brace for any changes in the corruption scene through intensified training and enhanced investigative capability.
The ICAC would also bolster its community education efforts to reinforce the probity messages and remind the public that corruption was a high-risk crime, the spokesman added.
The survey, which was carried out by a professional research company, polled a random sample of 1,543 persons in Hong Kong by phone in November 2008.
According to the survey, Hong Kong was generally perceived as a clean society as the proportion of respondents who regarded corruption was uncommon rose to a record 71.2 per cent.
This perception was borne out by the actual experience of the respondents. The vast majority –'96 97 per cent –'96 indicated that they or their friends and relatives had not encountered corruption in the past 12 months. Only 2.6 per cent suggested otherwise.
The survey also reflected that the public was standing a strong stance against corruption. 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 bu siness sector were 0.8 and 1.4 respectively.
The poll also found that 99.4 per cent of respondents expressed support for the ICAC –'96 the highest since 1994 when the question was first posed.
“The overwhelming public support was also evident in the public’s willingness to report corruption to the ICAC,” the spokesman noted.
While 81.3 per cent indicated their willingness to report corruption, 73.8 per cent said they were ready to reveal their identities when reporting graft. Both percentage points were the highest over the past four years.
“This high level of public confidence in the ICAC has translated into a record 74 per cent of non-anonymous complaints actually received by the ICAC last year,” the spokesman said.
The 2008 survey also showed that most respondents had strong confidence in how the ICAC handled its investigative work.
While a vast majority or 92.9 per cent trusted that reports made to the ICAC were kept confidential, 81.1 per cent believed the agency was impartial in conducting investigations.
A significant proportion or 72.3 per cent of respondents considered the ICAC very effective or effective in fighting corruption.
Meanwhile, 80.3 per cent considered the current level of statutory powers entrusted to the ICAC was appropriate and 77.3 per cent believed that it had not abused its powers.
Amongst those who were aware that the ICAC was subject to external scrutiny, 62.7 per cent considered the present level of supervision appropriate.
“In facing various challenges, the ICAC will remain committed to fighting corruption rigorously through a three-pronged strategy of investigation, prevention and education.
“We will closely monitor the graft situation and fine-tune our anti-corruption strategies from time to time, taking into account socio- economic changes and the public views gauged through this survey,” the spokesman added.