A former chairman of a mutual aid committee (MAC) at a public housing estate appeared at the Kwun Tong Magistracy today (Friday) after being charged by the ICAC with accepting 10 packs of cigarettes from a security guard in relation to the latter’s job posting.

Wong Yiu-lam, 47, former chairman of a MAC at Sau Mau Ping Estate (SMP Estate), faced one count of agent accepting an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(b) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge today. Principal Magistrate Mr Ernest Lin Kam-hung adjourned the case to September 13 this year for a pre-trial review.

At the material time, the defendant was the chairman of the MAC of Sau Yee House (SYH) at SMP Estate, a public housing estate managed by the Housing Department.

Lam Yung-biu, a security guard, was deployed to patrol around SYH by a property services company, which provided management and security services to SMP Estate.

The charge alleged that on a day in July 2010, the defendant accepted 10 packs of cigarettes from Lam as a reward for exercising his influence to retain Lam’s job posting.

The defendant was granted cash bail of $5,000. He was also ordered not to leave Hong Kong, reside at his reported address and not to interfere with prosecution witnesses.

Lam, 64, who was earlier charged by the ICAC, pleaded guilty to one count of offering an advantage to an agent, contrary to Section 9(2)(b) of the POBO. His case was adjourned to next Tuesday (August 6) for mention at the Kwun Tong Magistracy.

The prosecution was today represented by ICAC officer Guys Wong.