Times change, but the mission continues

Early graft prevention input in major construction projects

On the preventive front, Mr Adrian Wong Koon-man, Chairman of the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee (CPAC), said the CPAC strongly supported the Corruption Prevention Department’s (CPD) strategy of providing early corruption prevention input at different stages in major construction projects, including the Airport Three-Runway System and the Kai Tak Sports Park.

In 2018, the CPAC endorsed 69 assignment reports, the majority of these were related to the operation of government departments and public bodies. The CPD also provided corruption prevention advice for government departments, public organisations and private organisations on 1,454 occasions.

In addition, a total of 895 consultations were provided to the private sector in 2018. The number of assignment studies relating to the private sector had grown from a very small number to nearly 10% of all studies in recent years. In the last four years, consultation service provided for the private sector had even outnumbered that for the public sector. “All these rising figures reflect that the private sector is increasingly vigilant to the importance of corruption prevention,” Mr Wong said.

Looking ahead, Mr Wong said the CPD would help the Development Bureau review the management of the List of Approved Contractors for Public Works, and collaborate with the Construction Industry Council and relevant professional bodies to further strengthen their corruption prevention capabilities and professional ethics.