Corruption had become a major social problem in Hong Kong, but the Government at the time seemed powerless to deal with it. The community's patience was running thin and more and more people began to vent their anger on the Government's futile attempts at tackling the problem. In the early 70s, a new and potent force of public opinion emerged. People pressed incessantly for the Government to take decisive action to fight graft. Public resentment escalated to new heights when a corrupt expatriate police officer under investigation was able to flee Hong Kong. The case proved to be the last straw.