專員隨筆
Commissioner Online
Unwavering and steadfast forty-two years on

The Legislative Council (Legco) will soon commence a new term. To help the Legco members-elected, especially the new comers, to better understand ICAC’s anti-corruption work, over 10 newly elected Legco members earlier visited the ICAC Headquarters in North Point upon our invitation.

The visit provided an opportunity for us to exchange views face to face and for the lawmakers to learn first-hand the ICAC’s latest graft-fighting and probity education initiatives. Our senior management, including all department heads and myself, also took this opportunity to listen to members' views and respond to their concerns on specific issues.

Since its inception in 1974, the ICAC has never wavered from our standard and principle in enforcing the law. We fight corruption impartially, professionally, without fear or favour, and in strict accordance with the law. Every case is handled under a stringent monitoring mechanism and no complaints or investigations can be terminated without the endorsement of the Operations Review Committee.

During the legislators' visit, I also reiterated that ceasing the acting arrangement of Ms Rebecca Li Bo-lan had absolutely nothing to do with any investigations, nor had anyone exerted any pressure on me. We hoped to make this absolutely clear so that the public would not be misled.

In fact, the work of the Operations Department in the past few months was as effective and forceful as ever. There is no doubt that officers had continued to hold fast to their duties in fighting corruption with determination and perseverance.

We firmly believe that dialogues can dispel misunderstandings. By engaging lawmakers in open and candid communications, we hope that unnecessary speculations and doubts can be eliminated. The Legco has always been the ICAC's close partner in combatting corruption and safeguarding the probity culture of Hong Kong. At the same time, it also plays a pivotal role in monitoring the work of the Commission. We will continue to keep a close and sincere dialogue with lawmakers so as to maintain our partnership.

Apart from law enforcement work, Directors of the Community Relations Department (CRD) and the Corruption Prevention Department (CPD) also briefed the visiting legislators on the ICAC's latest efforts in preventive education as well as our corruption prevention initiatives.

The CRD is running a multi-year territory-wide "All for Integrity" programme which comprises an array of activities. By reaching out to citizens from various sectors, the programme aims to heighten public awareness of the importance of integrity and consolidate community support for our anti-graft work.

Meanwhile, our corruption prevention work must suit the needs of the society, particularly in areas closely related to the public's livelihood. Following the launch of the Sample Code of Conduct for Managers and Staff of Kindergartens, the CPD, with the assistance and support of the Hospital Authority and the Department of Health, will issue a corruption prevention guide on public-private partnership projects for medical services at the end of this year.

The three-pronged strategy adopted by the ICAC in fighting corruption has proved to be effective and is regarded as a role model for many overseas law enforcement agencies. The incumbent chair of Transparency International, the international anti-corruption watchdog, had more than once hailed the ICAC as the world’s only anti-graft agency that could fight corruption effectively. Established by the joint efforts of the public and the ICAC over 42 years, this hard-earned reputation should be treasured dearly. No rumours should be allowed to destroy it.

Hong Kong has seen rapid changes in the past 42 years. But the ICAC's mission and values remain steadfast and unwavering. So is the commitment of each and every graft-fighter of the Commission.