message - policyaddress.gov.hk · we do not take the community™s faith in the icac for granted....

MESSAGE

Hong Kong went through one of its most difficult times in 1998. With the downturnof the economy, the community faced some unprecedented challenges. Corruption reportsrose to a 25-year high. The �Quick Buck� syndrome seemed to grow in strength in someparts of the community. However, through our proactive strategy of detection, preventionand education, we were able to convince the community that the Independent CommissionAgainst Corruption (ICAC) remained an effective anti-graft agency.

We do not take the community�s faith in the ICAC for granted. We understand thatwe have to continue to be responsive to the changing social and economic environment toinstil public confidence. While Hong Kong is on the road to economic recovery, both thepublic and private sectors are still feeling the pressure of financial constraints. The ICAChas always been very careful in the deployment of resources, but the Enhanced ProductivityProgramme introduced by the Government last year means that we have to be even morecritical in maximising our efficiency. To achieve this, on the detection front, we will improveour case management procedures. And on the prevention and education aspects, we willsharpen our target-oriented approach.

This booklet contains details of what we achieved last year and particulars of theinitiatives we have put together for the coming year. I welcome your views and suggestionson how we can achieve the goals set out in the following pages. I firmly believe that it isthrough this partnership we have with the community that we make headway in reducingcorruption.

(Alan N Lai)Commissioner,

Independent Commission Against Corruption

FIGHTING CORRUPTION

Our Policy Objective is to pursue the corrupt through effective detection, investigationand prosecution, eliminate opportunities for corruption by introducing corruption resistantpractices, educate the public on the evils of corruption and foster their support in fightingcorruption.

Our targets this year in pursuing this Policy Objective are �

l to investigate all pursuable corruption complaints

l to seek out unreported corruption

l to make corruption a high risk crime

l to reduce corruption opportunities in public sector practices and procedures

l to enhance private sector corruption prevention awareness

l to promote intolerance of corruption in the community

l to maintain community confidence in and support for the Independent CommissionAgainst Corruption (ICAC)

Progress Made

The 1998 targets were the same as those set out above. In the year to June 1999, wereceived a total of 3 414 corruption reports, among which 2 428 were pursuable. Some 200of these cases were generated through our proactive approach. During the same period,we completed investigation on 2 363 cases. The caseload as at 1 July 1999 was 1 571.

We carried out studies of the practices and procedures of government departmentsand public bodies to reduce opportunities for corruption. In selecting areas for examination,we gave priority to those organisations which were subjects of corruption complaints. Weprovided timely corruption prevention advice to government departments to ensure thatthe necessary safeguards would be incorporated into new policies or procedures before theytook effect. We also produced Best Practice Packages on corruption-prone areas fordistribution to private organisations.

On the education front, we stepped up the appeal for public support by organisingseminars, conferences and publicity campaigns. Educational programmes for various sectorsincluding government servants, private companies, professional groups, youths and newarrivals were launched.

1

2

In March 1999, we hosted an international conference on Fighting Corruption Into The21st Century. All major world players in anti-corruption attended the event which underlinedthe importance of international co-operation.

Some indicators of our effectiveness can be found in the results of our 1999 annualsurvey. 83.4% of respondents indicated that they would not tolerate corruption and 71%said that the ICAC was effective. Nearly all surveyed (98.9%) considered the ICAC deservedtheir support.

3

KEY RESULT AREAS (KRAS)

To ensure that this Policy Objective can be achieved, we must deliver results in a numberof key areas, that is, we must �

1 Seek out and eradicate corruption throughprofessional and effective investigation

3 Promote the integrity of the civil service and of publicsector practices and procedures

4 Promote best practices, high ethical standards andfairness in the private sector

2 Educate the public on the anti-corruption legislationand the consequences of corruption, as well as enlistpublic support

Page 7

Page 13

Page 17

4

1 Seek out and eradicate corruption through professional andeffective investigation

Corruption, by its very nature, is an insidious and secretive crime. The parties to acorrupt deed are invariably �satisfied customers�, each securing what he/she requires fromthe transaction. For this reason, corruption is notoriously difficult to investigate. Moreover,although corruption corrodes the very fabric of society, the victim is not always easy toidentify, and thus its occurrence often goes unreported. We have therefore developed overthe last few years a pro-active strategy to combat corruption and related crime whereconventional methods have failed.

The growing complexity and sophistication in commerce, aided by rapid advances ininformation technology, has rendered our investigation work ever more difficult. In orderto maintain our effectiveness, we must continue to keep pace with this changing environment.This, in turn, means that we need to ensure that our investigators receive the very bestavailable training in professional skills and core competencies.

We are conscious of our obligations to the community in more routine respects. Forthe majority of members of the public who make a corruption report to the IndependentCommission Against Corruption (ICAC), this will be their first contact with the Commissionand its work. We understand that such an experience can be bewildering and, perhaps,unsettling. For this reason, we are committed to providing a customer service aimed ateasing their anxieties and doubts, and at causing them as little inconvenience as possibleduring their dealings with us.

Progress Made

For our baseline activities in the past 12 months, we aimed to increase our operationaleffectiveness by enhancing the level and intensity of professional training of our investigativeworkforce, and by stepping up liaison and co-operation between the ICAC and other localand overseas law enforcement agencies.

Progress in the past year was substantial. Induction training was provided for 62newly-recruited investigators. 45 in-house and overseas training courses, seminars andworkshops were organised for investigators in a variety of professional skills, includingcriminal law, interview technique development, undercover operations, witness protection,computer forensics and financial investigation. 67 courses in management and leadershipwere provided to officers with supervisory responsibility. We have also enhanced the ICACChief Investigator�s Command Course by incorporating certain modules run by LeicesterUniversity in the United Kingdom.

In addition to direct working contact, we have strengthened our liaison with lawenforcement agencies in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas through the production andcirculation of a quarterly Regional Anti-corruption Newsletter to 52 agencies in 39 differentjurisdictions.

5

To achieve results in this area, various initiatives have been undertaken in the pastyears. Details are set out below �

Initiative * Target # Present Position +

To develop professionalcapability to investigatecomplex financial aspectsof corruption and relatedcrime by setting up aFinancial InvestigationSection

(Operations Department,Independent CommissionAgainst Corruption(Op D, ICAC))

To establish the Sectionin the first quarter of1999-2000

(1998)

The Section was established inDecember 1998.

(Action Completed)

To develop professionalcapability to investigatecorruption involvingadvanced IT byestablishing a ComputerForensic and IT ResearchSection

(Op D, ICAC)

To establish the Sectionin the first quarter of1999-2000

(1998)

The Section was established inApril 1999.

(Action Completed)

* the bracketed information denotes the agency with lead responsibility for the initiative# the bracketed information denotes the year in which the target was set+ the bracketed information denotes the status of the target

Looking Forward

In the next 12 months, we will assess our performance in respect of this KRA againstthe following indicators �

Indicator 1999 Target

The percentage of complainants makingpursuable corruption reports contacted forinterview within 48 hours

100% of complainants making pursuablecorruption reports contacted for interviewwithin 48 hours

The percentage of complainants makingnon-corruption reports contacted withintwo working days

100% of complainants making non-corruption reports contacted within twoworking days

6


The percentage of pursuable corruptioninvestigations completed within 12 months

90% of pursuable corruption investigationscompleted within 12 months

We will undertake the following initiatives to deliver results in this area �

Initiative 1999 Target

To enhance our case managementcapability through a comprehensive reviewof case preparation and prosecution, with aview to identifying opportunities andstrategies

(Op D, ICAC)

l To conduct a research project aimed atestablishing in 2000-2001, astandardised system for the collationand preparation of evidence, with acapability for electronic processing ofdocumentary exhibits

l To formalise procedures for theassessment and disclosure of relevant�unused material� and to set guidelinesin 2000-2001

To promote operational efficiency byupgrading IT facilities for investigation

(Op D, ICAC)

l To replace existing database operationswith a new, user friendly system byJune 2000

l To have all new IT applications includingcase tracking system, electronicreference library, and form filling systemin place by 2000-2001

l To provide a computer workstation toeach officer engaged in day-to-dayinvestigation of corruption reports by2000-2001

To improve career development of newrecruits through the setting up of a�mentor system�

(Op D, ICAC)

To implement a pilot scheme in 2000 inorder to achieve full implementation by2001

To upgrade customer service for victims ofcorruption and ICAC witnesses by ensuringthat customers receive relevant informationand support throughout the course ofinvestigation and thorough familiarisationwith court procedures prior to their givingevidence

(Op D, ICAC)

To commence review of procedures in late1999 with a view to introducing improvedservice in 2000-2001

7

2 Educate the public on the anti-corruption legislation and theconsequences of corruption, as well as enlist public support

The success of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) hinges on publicsupport. The public�s readiness to help eradicate corruption through abiding by the law andreporting corruption-related crime makes a big difference to our work. Therefore, it isessential that the community is fully alert to the consequences of corruption. We havedesigned a comprehensive educational and publicity plan to enhance public knowledge ofthe evils of corruption. It comprises television shows, radio programmes and advertisements,as well as intensive, direct contacts with members of the public. Through this educationaland publicity plan, we hope that the public will learn more about the anti-corruption lawsand understand better the importance of our work.

Young people are our future. Therefore it is of paramount importance that the messageabout corruption should reach them. To achieve this, we continue to arouse young people�sawareness of the corruption problem and motivate them to play an active role in the fightagainst corruption through school talks and activities. We encourage teachers to use teachingaids provided by the ICAC to reinforce our messages. At the district level, our regional officesco-organise youth projects with related bodies to further promote positive values amongyoungsters.

To maintain our prominence in the districts and provide a forum for enlisting communitysupport, we conduct intensive liaison activities with district organisations and personalities.Besides co-organising anti-corruption programmes with them, we also launch different districtprojects aiming at enhancing the knowledge of selected targets on the anti-corruption workof the ICAC. Meet-the-public sessions, preventive education briefings for new arrivals andbuilding management corruption prevention seminars for office bearers of Owners�Corporations are organised at our regional offices on a regular basis. These projects alsoenhance the transparency of the ICAC.

A clean and fair electoral system is important to Hong Kong. We organise briefingsessions for candidates and their agents as well as helpers before and during each election.In partnership with the Registration and Electoral Office, we also launch a series of activitiesto promote clean elections.

Progress Made

In the past 12 months, we continued to publicise the anti-corruption messages anddeepen community support through intensive contact with different strata of the community.We also continued to keep corruption issues in the public eye through extensive use of themass media.

8

Progress over the year was satisfactory. A total of 266 000 people were reached through8 600 liaison activities. The majority of the participants (around 70%) found the activitiesrelevant to them and useful in enhancing their understanding of anti-corruption legislation.Additionally, we sent our messages to about 1 800 000 people through 250 special projects.These projects included a joint territory-wide youth programme with a number of relatedorganisations and a �Support Clean Elections� educational programme for the first LegislativeCouncil elections of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

The 1998 ICAC Drama Series broadcast on TVB from 25 October to 29 November 1998reached an average of 1 300 000 viewers per episode. The five-minute spot series broadcastfrom 3 December 1998 to 4 March 1999 to educate young people on how to handle ethicaldilemmas also attracted an average viewership of 1 041 990 per episode.


Initiative Target Present Position

To provide input into theformulation of a policyaimed at fortifying youngpeople�s positive values

(Community RelationsDepartment, IndependentCommission AgainstCorruption (CRD, ICAC))

To participate in jointmeetings of the Board ofEducation, theCommission on Youth,the Committee on thePromotion of CivicEducation and the SocialWelfare AdvisoryCommittee with a viewto working out aco-ordinated andintegrated youth policy

(1998)

An integrated youth policy wasdrawn up and implemented in1998-1999. A territory-wideyouth project was organised,reaching 680 000 young people.

(Action Completed)

To launch a multi-mediaprogramme for youngpeople through �

l interactive computergames on anti-corruption; and

l a cartoon series onpositive values

(CRD, ICAC)

To launch theprogramme in 1999

(1998)

l The games were launched inthe 1999-2000 School Year.

l The TV cartoon series wasbroadcast on TVB Jade inAugust 1999.

(Action Completed)

9


To launch a radio phone-in programme to explainto new arrivals the anti-corruption legislation inrelation to their dailylives and to produce amoral education packagefor young newimmigrants at school

(CRD, ICAC)

To launch the programmeand the educationpackage in 1999

(1998)

A radio phone-in programme fornew arrivals was co-organisedwith the RTHK Putonghua channelin August 1999. A package foryoung new arrivals had beenproduced and was put on loan toschools and voluntary agencies inearly May 1999.

(Action Completed)

To intensify liaison withvarious sectors of thecommunity throughorganising inter-districtactivities and seminarsfor community leaders

(CRD, ICAC)

To hold four inter-districtseminars and four inter-district activities in1999-2000

(1998)

l Four inter-district seminars oncorruption prevention inbuilding management forOwners� Corporations wereheld between June and July1999.

l Four inter-district activities willbe organised for communityleaders later in 1999-2000.

(Action in Progress: On Schedule)

Upon the implementationof the Building SafetyInspection Scheme, toencourage Owners�Corporations of privatebuildings to make use ofour corruptionprevention services onbuilding management

(CRD, ICAC)

l To provide anti-corruption advice to200 Owners�Corporations in1999-2000

(1998)

l Notwithstanding the delay inimplementing the BuildingSafety Inspection Scheme, CRDhas been actively promotingclean building managementjointly with Home AffairsDepartment. CRD has alsoproduced a checklist forOwners� Corporations to helpthem minimise corruptionopportunities when carryingout repair and renovationwork.

(Action in Progress: Under Review)

l To hold 50 trainingseminars in 1999-2000

(1998)

l 38 training seminars oncorruption prevention inbuilding management forOwners� Corporations wereheld by end September 1999.


10


To publicise the evils ofcorruption through amulti-media programme

(CRD, ICAC)

To launch the multi-media programme in1998-1999

(1997)

The ICAC drama series �ICACInvestigators 1998� was launchedin November 1998. A TV spotseries for young people wasbroadcast from December 1998 toMarch 1999. A radio drama serieswas broadcast in CommercialRadio 1 in March 1999. The1994-1996 ICAC drama series wasre-run on Star TV in June 1998.In addition, three new advertisingpackages were broadcast in1998-1999.

(Action Completed)

To review our strategyfor cultivating positivevalues amongst youngpeople

(CRD, ICAC)

To complete the reviewby 1998-1999

(1997)

The review was completed inDecember 1998. We havereviewed our strategy and willhenceforth work more closelywith schools, youth organisations,media and governmentdepartments in promotingpositive values amongst youngpeople.

(Action Completed)

To step up in 1998-1999preventive education forrecent immigrants fromthe Mainland throughface to face contact andsuitable publicityprogrammes

(CRD, ICAC)

To incorporate ICACsessions intoprogrammes organisedby government and non-governmentorganisations for newarrivals, initiate specialactivities and produce aradio programme fornew arrivals in1998-1999

(1997)

We have taken part in over 400talks organised by governmentdepartments and non-governmentorganisations. 17 specialactivities, two radio programmesand one newspaper project havealso been launched.

(Action Completed)

11


To work more closelywith the news media in1998-1999 to enhancepublic understanding ofour objectives and workmethods

(CRD, ICAC)

To arrange pressinterviews, issue pressreleases, and arrangeother special features forlocal dailies and producea number of shortprogrammes fortelevision and radio onthe work of the ICAC in1998-1999

(1997)

We arranged five newspaperseries to tie in with various ICACeducational initiatives and over80 press interviews to publiciseselected aspects of ICAC work.We issued 400 press releases. ATV special on ICAC�s 25thAnniversary and an ICACdocumentary were telecast onTVB Jade and Star TV respectively.Two short radio programmeswere also broadcast in 1998-1999.

(Action Completed)

To further enhance ourpresence in thecommunity by steppingup liaison with districtorganisations

(CRD, ICAC)

To organise 18 jointprojects with ProvisionalDistrict Boards and 48Meet-the-Public Sessionsin 1998-1999

(1997)

We organised the 18 jointprojects with Provisional DistrictBoards as scheduled. We alsoorganised 51 Meet-the-PublicSessions in 1998-1999.

(Action Completed)

To encourage selectedbusiness organisations,public bodies and youthgroups to play a moreactive role in preventingcorruption

(CRD, ICAC)

To approach selectedbusiness organisations,public bodies and youthgroups in 1998-1999

(1997)

With our assistance, over 90organisations have organisedprogrammes to publicise ICACmessages in 1998-1999.

(Action Completed)

Looking Forward



The number of people who attend liaisonactivities and projects on anti-corruptionmeasures

420 000 people attending liaison activitiesand projects on anti-corruption measures

The percentage of people having a betterunderstanding of anti-corruption legislationafter training or direct contact

70% of people having a betterunderstanding of anti-corruptionlegislation after training or direct contact

12


Percentage share of audience watchingChinese channels

l 70% share of audience watching our TVdrama series



To enhance our efforts in educating theyounger generation

(CRD, ICAC)

l To launch a Youth Homepage byApril 2000

l To organise a youth conference in 2000

To promote a clean election culture inpartnership with the Registration andElectoral Office

(CRD, ICAC)

l To organise five regional briefingsessions on the new Elections (Corruptand Illegal Conduct) Ordinance in 2000

l To launch a TV spot series in 2000

l 75% share of audience watching our TVspot series

13

3 Promote the integrity of the civil service and of public sectorpractices and procedures

A clean public sector is important to maintaining Hong Kong�s stability. To preventcorruption in the public sector, we examine areas of work in government departments andpublic bodies which are likely to be corruption-prone. We conduct studies, makerecommendations on preventive measures, and follow up with monitoring reviews. Throughconsultation, we also provide timely corruption prevention advice to government departmentsand public bodies in the formulation of new initiatives, policies and procedures. This processhelps the institutions concerned to incorporate preventive measures before a new policy orsystem is launched.

A clean and honest civil service is important to Hong Kong�s success. To heightencivil servants� sensitivity to the dangers of corruption and remind them of their role in fightingcorruption, corruption prevention training is regularly provided to government staff, especiallynew recruits or those who work in areas which are susceptible to corruption. In planningour corruption prevention strategy for civil servants, we always take into account significantchanges and new initiatives in government departments so as to ensure timely corruptionprevention training and advice are provided to government staff.

Another target of our educational effort is public bodies. Training sessions oncorruption prevention are regularly featured in the induction and refresher courses for staffof public bodies.

Progress Made

In the past 12 months, we continued to commit much of our corruption preventiveeducational efforts to the public sector. The progress was satisfactory. Training seminarswere delivered to some 26 000 civil servants from 49 government departments. At the sametime, we provided similar training to 8 000 employees in public bodies.

To further promote civil service integrity, we launched the first phase of our Civil ServiceIntegrity Programme together with the Civil Service Bureau. This included visiting 20departments and in-depth discussion with department heads to map out a tailor-madeprogramme for each department. Response to the visits was positive and follow-up activitieswould be conducted with the full support of these departments.

In the past year, Corruption Prevention Department (CPD) completed 103 assignmentstudies on government departments and public bodies. In addition, we gave advice togovernment departments and public bodies through consultation, on no less than 230occasions.

14



To help the Civil ServiceBureau (CSB) to reviewexisting regulations andguidelines governing civilservice integrity

(Corruption PreventionDepartment, IndependentCommission AgainstCorruption (CPD, ICAC))

To complete a review ofthe guidelines by the endof 1999

(1998)

We have reviewed Civil Serviceregulations and guidelinesgoverning declaration of conflictof interest, acceptance ofadvantages and management ofstaff indebtedness and providedadvice to CSB.

(Action Completed)

Together with the CSB,to conduct preventiveeducation programmesfor civil servants

(Community RelationsDepartment (CRD), ICAC)

l To approach 20governmentdepartments in1999-2000

l Visits to governmentdepartments were completedin July 1999. Follow-up workis in train. Examples onconflict of interest situationsand corruption-prone areas forindividual departments arebeing worked out for inclusionin their codes of conduct.

l To conduct 300training seminars in1999-2000

(1998)

l More than 200 trainingseminars had been conductedfor various governmentdepartments by end-September1999.


To assist governmentdepartments and publicbodies in the effectiveimplementation ofcorruption preventionrecommendations

(CPD, ICAC)

To implementsuccessfully 80% of therecommendations within12 months

(1998)

As at 30 September 1999, 90% ofagreed recommendations hadbeen successfully implementedwithin 12 months.

(Action Completed)

To give priority to theexamination ofprocedures in the publicsector relating tobuilding construction

(CPD, ICAC)

To conduct eight studiesin 1999

(1998)

All eight studies have beencompleted.

(Action Completed)

15


To give priority to theexamination ofprocedures relating tothe management of thenew Airport and therelated passenger andcargo clearing procedures

(CPD, ICAC)

To conduct five studiesin 1999

(1998)

All five studies have beencompleted.

(Action Completed)

To produce and promotea corruption preventionguide for public bodies

(CRD, ICAC)

To issue the guide to5 000 public servants atmanagerial level byMarch 2000

(1998)

Copywriting is in progress.


Looking Forward

In the next 12 months, we will assess our performance against the following indicators �


The number of assignment reportscompleted

To complete 105 assignment reports

The number of occasions on which adviceis given to government departments andpublic bodies through consultation

240 occasions on which advice is given togovernment departments and public bodiesthrough consultation

The percentage of agreed corruptionprevention recommendations implementedin government departments and publicbodies within 12 months

80% of agreed corruption preventionrecommendations implemented ingovernment departments and public bodieswithin 12 months

The number of government departmentsand public bodies arranging ICAC trainingseminars

90 government departments and publicbodies arranging ICAC training seminars

The number of civil servants who haveattended ICAC training seminars

25 000 civil servants attending ICACtraining seminars

The number of public body employees whohave attended ICAC training seminars

8 500 public body employees attendingICAC training seminars

16



To conduct jointly with CSB the secondphase of the Civil Service IntegrityProgramme

(CRD, ICAC)

l To approach the remaining 46government departments in 2000-2001

l To conduct 200 training seminars in2000-2001

To assist CSB to build in corruptionprevention safeguards in the new staffmanagement systems arising from the CivilService Reform

(CPD, ICAC)

To provide prompt corruption preventioninput in the formulation of the newmanagement systems

To provide advice and training to HousingDepartment (HD) staff to tie in with therestructuring of estate managementfunctions

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

l To provide prompt advice to HD in thedrawing up of guidelines for its staff toavoid conflict of interest and minimiseopportunities for corruption in theappointment of private managementagents

l To conduct 50 training sessions for staffresponsible for estate managementduties

To give priority to the examination of theprocedures of the two new departments tobe formed after the re-organisation of theadministration of the municipal services

(CPD, ICAC)

To complete four studies on licensing andenforcement systems, and the proceduresrelating to the provision of cultural andleisure services within 12 months afterre-organisation has taken place

To assist statutory boards and councilsreceiving sizeable public funds to devise aset of guidelines for fund disbursement andalert their members to these provisions

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

l To draw up best practice guidelines onfund disbursement by April 2000

l To conduct four seminars to promotethese guidelines to the boards andcouncils concerned

17

4 Promote best practices, high ethical standards and fairness inthe private sector

To maintain Hong Kong�s competitiveness as an international business centre and topreserve a level playing field, a high standard of business ethics is important. We encourageand help private organisations to put in place internal controls and safeguards againstcorruption and malpractice. The Advisory Services Group of the Corruption PreventionDepartment provides tailor-made corruption prevention advice to private companies. TheGroup also compiles Best Practice Packages for easy reference by private companies.

Staff of our eight regional offices visit business enterprises regularly to market ourservices and encourage their management to take positive action in corruption prevention.We provide training for staff of different ranks to hammer home our anti-corruption messagesand promote ethics. We also keep close contact with related professional bodies as well astrade associations and organise conferences for their members and business executives inrelated fields. In parallel, the Hong Kong Ethics Development Centre, set up with the supportof leading chambers of commerce and professional bodies to promote business ethics on along-term basis, will continue to provide corruption prevention services to businessmenthrough newsletters, training videos, courses and tailor-made packages.

Progress Made

In the past 12 months, we aimed at promoting ethics in the private sector andencouraging small and medium size enterprises to prevent corruption from taking root intheir organisations. Progress was satisfactory. During the year, about 350 businessorganisations lent their support to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)in conducting training seminars for their staff and 33 000 private sector employees werereached. We also successfully approached 1 320 small and medium size enterprises to alertthem to the consequences of corruption and the importance of taking positive action toprevent corruption.

Apart from training seminars, we launched 11 special programmes for the businesssector. These included a seminar on business ethics for the management staff of Mainland-funded companies in conjunction with the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprises Association anda joint seminar for engineers with the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.

With regard to private sector companies seeking corruption prevention advice on theirsystems and operations, we responded on some 240 occasions in the past year, all withintwo working days as pledged. So far we have compiled 15 Best Practice Packages.

18



To offer corruptionprevention services tocompanies andorganisations which havebeen a victim ofcorruption

(Corruption PreventionDepartment, IndependentCommission AgainstCorruption (CPD, ICAC))

To offer such services toall companies andorganisations which havesuffered corruption

(1998)

We have set up a system wherebyevery investigated complaintinvolving the private sector isevaluated by CPD. Where there isindication that a company ororganisation has been a victim ofcorruption, we will approach itand offer our corruptionprevention service.

(Action Completed)

To approachtelecommunicationcompanies to offer ouradvice on safeguardsagainst abuse ofcustomers� personal dataand to alert them to theprovisions ofanti-corruption laws

(CPD and CommunityRelations Department(CRD), ICAC)

l To offer advice andtraining to allcompanies providingfixed-line and mobiletelephone services in1999

(1998)

l We have approached andpresented ICAC�s services to allcompanies providing fixed-lineand mobile telephone servicesin Hong Kong. They have alsobeen given guidelines on theprotection of customer data.

(Action Completed)

l To conduct 50 trainingseminars in 1999-2000

(1998)

l So far 45 seminars have beenconducted for some 950managers and staff.


To offer buildingprofessionals andconstruction contractorsadvisory services andtraining to enhance theirunderstanding of theanti-corruption laws

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

l To approach 1 000companies to offeradvisory and trainingservices in 1999-2000

l To conduct 200training seminars in1999-2000

(1998)

l We have approached 1 000companies.

l We have conducted 220seminars.

(Action Completed)

To conduct a survey onthe views of businessmenon the standard ofbusiness ethics in HongKong

(CRD, ICAC)

To complete the surveyin 1999

(1998)

Fieldwork of the survey is in thepipeline.


19


To organise a conferenceon business ethics topromote fairness andhigh ethical standards inthe Asia Pacific Region

(CRD, ICAC)

To organise theconference in 2000

(1998)

The conference is tentativelyscheduled for March 2000.Preparation work is underway.


To enhance theunderstanding of thosebusiness organisationsnewly established inHong Kong of the anti-corruption laws and theobjectives of the ICAC

(CRD, ICAC)

To approach in1998-1999 thosebusiness organisationsnewly established inHong Kong

(1997)

Publicity material on ICACservices has been included in theIndustry Department�s BusinessLicence Information Centre andthe Hong Kong TradeDevelopment Council BusinessLibrary. Ten major foreignchambers of commerce havepublicised ICAC services to their7 000 members. In addition, 170talks have been conducted for5 400 staff members recentlyposted to 128 major Mainland-funded companies.

(Action Completed)

To promote corruptionprevention awareness inthe financial sector in1998-1999 with thesupport of professionalassociations andregulatory bodies

(CRD, ICAC)

To conduct a seminar forbanking sector and aconference for thesecurities, futures andinvestments sectors

(1997)

We have conducted threeseminars for 330 internal auditorsand security officers from 140banks. We have also jointlyorganised a conference with tenorganisations in the securities,futures and investments sectors,including regulators and trade/professional associations,reaching 179 senior managersfrom over 80 companies.

(Action Completed)

20


To encourage throughvisits and seminars, smalland medium sizebusinesses to make useof our corruptionprevention advisoryservice

(CRD, ICAC)

To contact in 1998-19991 000 small and mediumsize businesses

(1997)

We have contacted 1 200 smalland medium size businesses topromote our corruptionprevention advisory service. Wehave also conducted fourworkshops and eight seminarswith the Hong Kong ProductivityCouncil, the Hong Kong TradeDevelopment Council, the HongKong Vocational Training Counciland the Chinese Manufacturers�Association of Hong Kong,reaching more than 350 small andmedium size entrepreneurs.

(Action Completed)

Looking Forward



The number of occasions on which privatesector organisations are given corruptionprevention advice

240 occasions on which private sectororganisations are given corruptionprevention advice

The response time to private sectorrequests for advice

To respond to private sector requests foradvice within two working days

The percentage of organisations which havebeen a victim of corruption offeredcorruption prevention service

100% of organisations which have been avictim of corruption offered corruptionprevention service

The number of private sector organisationsarranging ICAC training seminars

400 private sector organisations arrangingICAC training seminars

The number of private sector employers/employees who have attended trainingseminars

35 000 private sector employers/employeesattending training seminars

21



To promote anti-corruption efforts in smalland medium size enterprises by producinga TV spot series

(CRD, ICAC)

To launch the TV spot series in 2000

Together with the Education Department,to promote corruption prevention practicesin all aided schools and schoolmanagement committees in the light of theimplementation of the School BasedManagement Initiatives (under whichschools will assume more managementresponsibilities)

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

To approach 500 schools in 2000-2001

To encourage service providers of theMandatory Provident Fund Scheme todevelop codes of conduct and strengthentheir internal controls in the managementand custody of funds

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

l To offer advisory service to all registeredservice providers

l To conduct 50 training seminars foremployees of service providers

To provide corruption prevention adviceand training to Owners� Corporationsformed in former public housing estatesarising from the implementation of theTenant Purchase Scheme

(CPD and CRD, ICAC)

To approach all such Owners� Corporations

message - policyaddress.gov.hk · we do not take the community™s faith in the icac for granted....

Documents