Driving test candidate charged by ICAC with bribing TD examiner after making mistake
2023-2-21
The ICAC today (February 21) charged a candidate of the commercial vehicle driving test for medium goods vehicle with offering a bribe of $500 to an examiner of the Transport Department (TD) to get a pass after making a mistake in the test.
Ba Yuheng, 26, faces one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (February 23) for plea.
On November 29, 2022, the defendant attended his commercial vehicle driving test for medium goods vehicle at Tsuen Wan Driving Test Centre of the TD. A Driving Examiner II of the TD was his examiner.
The defendant’s vehicle hit the kerb of the road during the test and he was immediately told that he failed the test after making the serious mistake. Subsequently the defendant allegedly offered a red packet containing $500 cash to the examiner in a bid to secure a pass in the test.
The examiner reported the incident to the TD after the test. The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers on the spot upon receipt of a corruption complaint by the ICAC on the same day.
The TD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. Legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice upon completion of the investigation, and the defendant was then charged accordingly pursuant to the legal advice.
An ICAC spokesperson states that the ICAC attaches great importance to civil service integrity. The ICAC has been working closely with all government departments to provide integrity training to civil servants, so as to ensure their vigilance against corruption. Bribery is a serious offence, and members of the public are reminded that they should never offer bribes to civil servants in exchange for their assistance or favour.
Ba Yuheng, 26, faces one count of offering an advantage to a public servant, contrary to Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. He was released on ICAC bail, pending his appearance at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday (February 23) for plea.
On November 29, 2022, the defendant attended his commercial vehicle driving test for medium goods vehicle at Tsuen Wan Driving Test Centre of the TD. A Driving Examiner II of the TD was his examiner.
The defendant’s vehicle hit the kerb of the road during the test and he was immediately told that he failed the test after making the serious mistake. Subsequently the defendant allegedly offered a red packet containing $500 cash to the examiner in a bid to secure a pass in the test.
The examiner reported the incident to the TD after the test. The defendant was arrested by ICAC officers on the spot upon receipt of a corruption complaint by the ICAC on the same day.
The TD has rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case. Legal advice was sought from the Department of Justice upon completion of the investigation, and the defendant was then charged accordingly pursuant to the legal advice.
An ICAC spokesperson states that the ICAC attaches great importance to civil service integrity. The ICAC has been working closely with all government departments to provide integrity training to civil servants, so as to ensure their vigilance against corruption. Bribery is a serious offence, and members of the public are reminded that they should never offer bribes to civil servants in exchange for their assistance or favour.