An influential anti-corruption model

Recognising the ICAC model

Academic studies have asserted that the ICAC model has “proven enormously influential”. Around the world, some 30 to 40 national level graft-fighting bodies have drawn on the idea of a single, powerful, centralised anti-corruption agency¹. For the very reason, success factors of the much sought-after anti-corruption model have always been shared and discussed at international conferences.

In late June, ICAC Commissioner Mr Simon Peh Yun-lu was invited to expound on the ICAC model and Hong Kong’s anti-corruption regime at the panel “Building an Effective Anti-Bribery Commission: What Works… What Doesn’t” of the TRACE Bribery and Economic Crime Summit held in Vancouver, Canada.

Mr Peh shared with audience of the summit that Hong Kong’s anti-corruption regime was distinguished by an independent, dedicated single agency, a comprehensive three-pronged strategy, institutional capacity of the agency, strong rule of law as well as robust anti-corruption laws.

Back in ICAC’s hometown, senior officials of the Commission also seized the opportunity to hold a dozen bilateral meetings with representatives of foreign anti-bribery agencies during the 7th ICAC Symposium in late May. Through these meetings, graft fighters from around the world were able to understand the features of the ICAC model, the city’s strategy in rooting out corruption, as well as the Commission’s anti-corruption capacity building programmes.

In mid-July, an ICAC delegation led by Commissioner Mr Peh took Hong Kong’s anti-graft experience to law-enforcement counterparts in four South Eastern European countries along the Belt and Road routes. The ICAC delegation called on over 10 graft-fighting authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Romania and Serbia to enhance cooperation in tackling corruption and explore opportunities in capacity building collaboration.

¹ Ian Scott and Ting Gong (2019) Corruption Prevention and Governance in Hong Kong. UK: Routledge.