ICAC still going strong after 45 years with staunch public support
2019-2-15
Staunch public support had seen the ICAC through thick and thin during Hong Kong’s anti-graft journey in the past 45 years and helped put the city on the map as one of the most corruption-free places in the world, said ICAC Commissioner Peh Yun-lu today (February 15).
Speaking at the ICAC‘s Spring Gathering cum 45th Anniversary Reception at the ICAC Building, Mr Peh thanked former and serving graft fighters for their commitment, relentless efforts and professionalism.
“On this day 45 years ago, Hong Kong did not only witness the birth of an independent and dedicated anti-corruption organisation, but also the beginning of a new era. Hong Kong, once plagued by corruption, was transformed over the years to one of the cleanest international cities,” Mr Peh said.
The Commissioner took the opportunity to share with staff and guests attending today’s event the findings of the 2018 ICAC Annual Survey, noting that members of the public maintained a zero intolerance for corruption. On a 0 to 10 point scale where 0 represented total intolerance and 10 represented total tolerance, the mean score was 0.5, the lowest since the question was first raised in 2010.
The survey also found that 97 per cent of respondents said the ICAC deserved their support. The most commonly cited reasons for supporting ICAC’s work included ICAC’s effectiveness in upholding fairness and justice, and maintaining a corruption-free society, as well as its success in cracking corruption cases.
“Public trust and recognition has always been the biggest motivation for ICAC officers,” said Mr Peh.
Meanwhile, the majority or 81.7 per cent of the respondents indicated a clear willingness to report corruption if they came across it. The ratio was the highest since the question was introduced in 2010. In the younger generation (aged between 15 and 34), an even higher percentage between 85.5 per cent and 88.4 per cent expressed their willingness to report corruption.
On the other hand, 98.4 per cent of the respondents indicated that they had not personally come across corruption in the past 12 months. Only 1.3 per cent said they did.
The survey, commissioned by the ICAC, was conducted by an independent polling agency between April and August 2018. Through face-to-face household interviews of over 1,518 randomly selected citizens, it helped gauge their perceptions and attitudes towards corruption, as well as their views on the Commission’s anti-graft work.
A vast majority or 98.7 per cent of respondents also considered keeping Hong Kong corruption-free was important to the overall development of the city. They believed that it would help uphold fairness and justice, attract foreign investments and maintain stable development of the society.
Robust efforts were made to reach out to the public through the media, education programmes and engagement activities. The survey found that 93.2 per cent of respondents had received messages relating to ICAC’s work.
“The Commission will continue to combat corruption and foster a probity culture with its three-pronged strategy comprising law enforcement, corruption prevention and community education. With the synergies of ICAC’s various departments and dedicated graft fighters, we strive to reach new heights in building a fair and clean society for our future generations and contribute to the global fight against corruption,” Mr Peh said.
Today’s gathering was attended by over 700 ICAC staff members and about 70 guests, including retired officers, as well as former and incumbent chairmen and members of ICAC’s advisory committees.
To tie-in with the celebration, a tram bearing the theme of the ICAC 45th anniversary ran through various prime districts on the Hong Kong Island today, distributing free coffee and souvenirs to the public at designated stops.
Other events to mark the anniversary include the ICAC Open Day, to be held on two consecutive weekends in late February and early March, the telecast of the Commission’s signature TV drama series “ICAC Investigators 2019” and the 7th ICAC Symposium in May this year.
Speaking at the ICAC‘s Spring Gathering cum 45th Anniversary Reception at the ICAC Building, Mr Peh thanked former and serving graft fighters for their commitment, relentless efforts and professionalism.
“On this day 45 years ago, Hong Kong did not only witness the birth of an independent and dedicated anti-corruption organisation, but also the beginning of a new era. Hong Kong, once plagued by corruption, was transformed over the years to one of the cleanest international cities,” Mr Peh said.
The Commissioner took the opportunity to share with staff and guests attending today’s event the findings of the 2018 ICAC Annual Survey, noting that members of the public maintained a zero intolerance for corruption. On a 0 to 10 point scale where 0 represented total intolerance and 10 represented total tolerance, the mean score was 0.5, the lowest since the question was first raised in 2010.
The survey also found that 97 per cent of respondents said the ICAC deserved their support. The most commonly cited reasons for supporting ICAC’s work included ICAC’s effectiveness in upholding fairness and justice, and maintaining a corruption-free society, as well as its success in cracking corruption cases.
“Public trust and recognition has always been the biggest motivation for ICAC officers,” said Mr Peh.
Meanwhile, the majority or 81.7 per cent of the respondents indicated a clear willingness to report corruption if they came across it. The ratio was the highest since the question was introduced in 2010. In the younger generation (aged between 15 and 34), an even higher percentage between 85.5 per cent and 88.4 per cent expressed their willingness to report corruption.
On the other hand, 98.4 per cent of the respondents indicated that they had not personally come across corruption in the past 12 months. Only 1.3 per cent said they did.
The survey, commissioned by the ICAC, was conducted by an independent polling agency between April and August 2018. Through face-to-face household interviews of over 1,518 randomly selected citizens, it helped gauge their perceptions and attitudes towards corruption, as well as their views on the Commission’s anti-graft work.
A vast majority or 98.7 per cent of respondents also considered keeping Hong Kong corruption-free was important to the overall development of the city. They believed that it would help uphold fairness and justice, attract foreign investments and maintain stable development of the society.
Robust efforts were made to reach out to the public through the media, education programmes and engagement activities. The survey found that 93.2 per cent of respondents had received messages relating to ICAC’s work.
“The Commission will continue to combat corruption and foster a probity culture with its three-pronged strategy comprising law enforcement, corruption prevention and community education. With the synergies of ICAC’s various departments and dedicated graft fighters, we strive to reach new heights in building a fair and clean society for our future generations and contribute to the global fight against corruption,” Mr Peh said.
Today’s gathering was attended by over 700 ICAC staff members and about 70 guests, including retired officers, as well as former and incumbent chairmen and members of ICAC’s advisory committees.
To tie-in with the celebration, a tram bearing the theme of the ICAC 45th anniversary ran through various prime districts on the Hong Kong Island today, distributing free coffee and souvenirs to the public at designated stops.
Other events to mark the anniversary include the ICAC Open Day, to be held on two consecutive weekends in late February and early March, the telecast of the Commission’s signature TV drama series “ICAC Investigators 2019” and the 7th ICAC Symposium in May this year.
ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh (middle), head of departments, former and serving chairmen of advisory committees jointly celebrate the ICAC’s 45th anniversary.
ICAC Commissioner Simon Peh, senior officers and other guests propose a toast at the Spring Gathering cum 45th Anniversary Gathering.
ICAC distributes free coffee to citizens in various prime districts during the tram parade today.