Subcontractor jailed for 12 months for bribing EMSD senior engineer
2026-11-6
A then senior engineer of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), charged by the ICAC for the offence of wealth not commensurate with income, was earlier sentenced to five years and three months in prison following his guilty plea at the High Court. A subcontractor involved in the case was today (November 6) sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts for bribing the senior engineer for showing favour in relation to two minor works contracts worth about $91.4 million.
Chan Tsz-wing, 59, a subcontractor of the EMSD, was earlier found guilty after trial of one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon remarked that the defendant had offered a bribe to a public officer, and had frequent contacts with the senior government engineer concerned to maintain a favourable relationship in official dealings, involving works contracts worth over $90 million. The offence was very serious in nature, undermining the integrity of public servants and eroding public confidence.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint concerning EMSD minor works contracts. The court heard that Chan, an EMSD subcontractor, came to know Zsa Sing-tak, then Senior Building Services Engineer of the EMSD, through work in the 2000s. Since then, the duo frequently met for lunch and travelled together to the Chinese Mainland or overseas on various occasions.
At the material time, Zsa was mainly posted to the Minor Works Sub-Division under the Municipal Sector Division of the EMSD, responsible for handling and supervising the tendering and operation of minor works contracts. Between October 2016 and April 2018, the Minor Works Sub-Division awarded two minor works contracts worth about $91.4 million to two main contractors. The contracts were eventually subcontracted to three companies—Million Engineering Limited (MEL), Great Rise Engineering Limited (GREL) and Sun Wo Engineering Consultants Limited (SWECL)—of which Chan served as a director-cum-shareholder.
In January 2019, Chan offered a $40,000 cash bribe to Zsa as a reward for Zsa remaining favourably disposed to MEL, GREL, SWECL and the two main contractors.
Zsa earlier pleaded guilty to six charges, including the offence of wealth not commensurate with income during his tenure, accepting bribes, misconduct in public office and money laundering, involving unexplained cash totalling over $7 million. He was earlier sentenced to five years and three months in prison at the Court of First Instance of the High Court on December 16, 2025, and his crime proceeds were confiscated.
The EMSD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Stephen Fong, assisted by ICAC officer Hayden Lau.
Chan Tsz-wing, 59, a subcontractor of the EMSD, was earlier found guilty after trial of one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Gary Chu Man-hon remarked that the defendant had offered a bribe to a public officer, and had frequent contacts with the senior government engineer concerned to maintain a favourable relationship in official dealings, involving works contracts worth over $90 million. The offence was very serious in nature, undermining the integrity of public servants and eroding public confidence.
The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint concerning EMSD minor works contracts. The court heard that Chan, an EMSD subcontractor, came to know Zsa Sing-tak, then Senior Building Services Engineer of the EMSD, through work in the 2000s. Since then, the duo frequently met for lunch and travelled together to the Chinese Mainland or overseas on various occasions.
At the material time, Zsa was mainly posted to the Minor Works Sub-Division under the Municipal Sector Division of the EMSD, responsible for handling and supervising the tendering and operation of minor works contracts. Between October 2016 and April 2018, the Minor Works Sub-Division awarded two minor works contracts worth about $91.4 million to two main contractors. The contracts were eventually subcontracted to three companies—Million Engineering Limited (MEL), Great Rise Engineering Limited (GREL) and Sun Wo Engineering Consultants Limited (SWECL)—of which Chan served as a director-cum-shareholder.
In January 2019, Chan offered a $40,000 cash bribe to Zsa as a reward for Zsa remaining favourably disposed to MEL, GREL, SWECL and the two main contractors.
Zsa earlier pleaded guilty to six charges, including the offence of wealth not commensurate with income during his tenure, accepting bribes, misconduct in public office and money laundering, involving unexplained cash totalling over $7 million. He was earlier sentenced to five years and three months in prison at the Court of First Instance of the High Court on December 16, 2025, and his crime proceeds were confiscated.
The EMSD rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Stephen Fong, assisted by ICAC officer Hayden Lau.