Redacted
under FOI exemption 40(2)
19
Open Letter to the Jong Kong Government and interested Eritish lis
Like most members of the Hong Kong public, I have been concerned about the recent unrest amongst the p-lice, and its implications for public
law and order. Most distur.ing is the difficulty in getting accurate informa-
tion from which to diagnose the reasons for this unrest, and the impossible
problem of finding a cure unless those reasons are diagnosed.
After doing some research on this problem, I should like to suirit
the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
For may years the public has been gulled wità süstelents from the upper echelons of the police that corruptica exists only or mainly among the lower ranking police. Goverment spokesmen have reported this view in respect of corruption in all Government Departments. This is totally untrue in fact. any important promotions have deponled upon co-operation in corruption and upon the corrupt price offered for that promotion. It is obvious, therefore, that more rotten eggs are likely to be found at
the top tan at the botton.
That syndicated corruption existed on an encricus scale in areas like Yaunti, Kungkok and Wanchai has always been a matter of cornion knowledge
at the grassroots, in spite of official denials in the post. With deep-rooted corruption such as existed in the Yawati fruit market, it is
most unlikely that the ICAC, ever with the best intentions, has been able
to get to the root of the latter by listening to tainted witnesses.
Those of us who have suffered at the hands of syndicate led by high- ranking police whose rones are now household words for corruption, understand very well how these syndientes con manipulate a situntica to throw blane on scapegoats. They are well experienced at their violent
and unscrupulous game. They are not likely to change their old tactics
when questioned by the ISAC.
They are found in
Hailers of triad gas
The gang laws of corrupt oyadientes are well known. the "nefic" abroad and in the triads of Hong Kong. are sworn to secrecy. They will not split on their members, especially their high-ranking office-bearers, lawing that in doing so they would eliminate themselves. It is therefore rest unlikely that the information they give to the ICAC will Live any value in resting cut the worst ele- ments in a syndicate. it is equally obvious that those chosen for prose- cution ere likely to be at most small fry of the syndicates, or, even Lore likely, innocent persons who have opposed the syndicates and against whɔn revenge is now planned. Any who have opposed the syndicates are „arked
men, and co.. readily be identified -y the tainted witnesses used by the
ICAC.
5. The v lue of accused persons turning CTO and constitues a travesty of justice.
witnesses is aloc evitent
stood brazenly in the /court and....