ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh Yun-lu today (March 17) called upon all staff members of the Commission to remain steadfast and dedicated to their anti-graft mission, and continue to contribute to the stability and prosperity of the city through cooperation to improve the Hong Kong electoral system.

Speaking at the 2020 ICAC Awards Presentation Ceremony, Mr Peh explained to ICAC staff the passage of the decision of the National People’s Congress (NPC) on March 11 to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The decision of the NPC would address the shortcomings and plug the loopholes of the current electoral system, so that Hong Kong would continue to thrive and prosper in a stable social environment, Mr Peh noted.

“As the ICAC is tasked with the responsibility to enforce the Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Conduct) Ordinance, the Commission will keep a close watch on changes of the electoral system as well as relevant legislative amendments. The Commission will fully cooperate on the prevention, education as well as enforcement fronts,” Mr Peh said.

Mr Peh also noted that as part of the HKSAR Government, the ICAC’s work was interrelated with social development and government policies.

“As ICAC staff, we contribute to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong through discharging our duties to combat corruption and promote probity in the society. To accomplish this important mission, we need to remain dedicated to our job, be strictly abide by the law, uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to our country and the HKSAR, and be accountable to the HKSAR Government and the Chief Executive,” Mr Peh said.

At today’s ceremony, over 80 ICAC officers were commended for their distinguished and exemplary performance.

Principal Investigator Wong Wai-kit of the Operations Department was awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation for his outstanding leadership, organisational skills, devotion of duty and professionalism of an exceptionally high order during an investigation leading to the prosecution and conviction of 19 laboratory technicians for offences of conspiracy to defraud and using a false instrument in relation to a major infrastructure project.

Twelve other investigators who received the Operations Department Directorate Commendation were commended for their outstanding investigative ability and dedication to duty in various ICAC cases, as well as in the implementation of the department’s Information and Knowledge Management System and the Overtime Management System.

The 12 recipients were Chief Investigators Sarah Lau Wai-kuen and Hazel Law Pui-man, Senior Investigators Wong Tsz-ming, Alex Ho Man-chun, Wilson Lai Wai-nam, James Cheng Chuk-lung and Vernon Leung Wai-lon, Investigators Chu Ka-ho, Keith Lam Chun-kit, Dominic Cheung Ka-yiu, Wan Wai and Assistant Investigator Pascal Ho Chun-kin.

Chief Corruption Prevention Officers Wendy Au Man-ling, Anita Choy Kin-fee and Stanley Chio Kai-ming, Senior Corruption Prevention Officer Mandy Ho Ka-lai and Corruption Prevention Officer Becky Yiu Pik-shuen received the Director of Corruption Prevention’s Commendation. They were respectively commended for their contributions to formulating the corruption prevention toolkit on kindergartens’ operations, the planning and delivery of the corruption prevention guide for insurance sector, and the provision of corruption prevention advice for the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited and the Securities and Futures Commission to enhance the procedures for processing Initial Public Offering applications and regulating sponsors.

Two Senior Community Relations Officers were awarded the Director of Community Relations’ Commendation. Yvonne Chan Man-ka was commended for her planning and implementation of the “Integrity for Success” Ethics Promotion Campaign for the Insurance Industry. Cindy Fung Pui-kwan was praised for her planning, production and promulgation of the Integrity Management e-learning Platform for Civil Servants.

In addition, about 60 investigating officers were awarded the Assistant Director’s Commendation of the Operations Department, while two CPD officers received the Assistant Director’s Commendation of the Corruption Prevention Department.

Officers of the ICAC’s Finance and Supplies Sections were commended for their professionalism in identifying and procuring protective supplies and coordinating seamless and speedy distribution of such to different units in the Commission during the COVID-19 pandemic last year. Officers of the General and Human Resource Strategies Section and the Accommodation Section were also praised for their efforts in conceiving, implementing and sustaining comprehensive detection, preventive and disinfecting measures to ensure a safe and hygienic working environment within the Commission during the pandemic.

Assistant Director of Administration Sally Kwan Yee-lan, former Assistant Director of Community Relations Valentina Chan Kit-wan and former Senior Principal Investigator Winky Hsu Man-wai earlier received the ICAC Medal for Distinguished Service from the Government. Former Principal Corruption Prevention Officer Lillian Leung Shuk-lai, Chief Investigators Raymond Kong Yim-kwan and Dragon Au Kwan-lung were earlier awarded the ICAC Medal for Meritorious Service from the Government. Ella Tsang Wing-ping, former Senior Chinese Language Officer, received the Medal of Honour.

Three other ICAC officers received the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Community Service, namely Assistant Director of Community Relations Corinna Wong Kit-mui, Chief Corruption Prevention Officer Lucia Hung Wong Yeuk-man and Assistant Investigator Elsie Tsoi Wai-mun. Former Personal Assistant of ICAC Commissioner Fanny Chung Wai-fun was awarded the Chief Executive’s Commendation for Government/ Public Service. The Commissioner presented souvenirs to those awardees who attended today’s ceremony.

Meanwhile, over 100 officers and staff of various ranks and grades were given medals, certificates or plaques for their long service in the ICAC and the Government.