PUBLIC ORDER
310
senior civil servant for bribery, a case involving unlawful foreign passports and money laundering, and cases concerning substandard construction works.
Prevention
The Corruption Prevention Department had a fruitful year examining possible corruption loopholes and making recommendations to reduce corruption opportunities in government departments and public bodies.
In 1999, the commission produced 106 detailed reports relating to various work areas. Among these reports were several studies on the supervision of piling works by government departments involved in construction projects, a matter which had generated public concern.
The commission also undertook 259 consultation exercises to ensure that timely corruption prevention advice was given in the formulation of legislation, public sector policies and procedures. Corruption prevention advice was offered to various private sector organisations on 260 occasions. Easy-to-use 'best practice' guidelines on common corruption-prone areas are made available to these organisations to enhance their internal control procedures. In view of the incidence of substandard works in the construction industry, the department joined hands with the community relations arm in organising a seminar in December to promote best practices and professional ethics in the industry.
Education
The Community Relations Department continued its preventive education programme during the year.
To tie in with the ICAC's 25th anniversary, the department organised a number of activities, including district programmes and a TV finale to highlight the commission's continued commitment to fighting corruption.
Maintaining the integrity of the Civil Service remained a major objective of the department's work programme. In addition to the regular training sessions for government staff, the department joined hands with the Civil Service Bureau in launching a two-year programme aimed at promoting corporate governance and best practices among government departments and cultivating a clean civil service culture. More than 20 departments were visited during the year.
The department continued to promote professional ethics in the financial sector. A practical guide and a training package were produced for practitioners in the securities, futures and investment sectors. A conference was organised to promote professional ethics in the banking sector. The department also offered tailor-made advice to help fixed-line and mobile telephone companies to adopt anti-corruption
measures.
In youth education, innovative means were used to foster positive values among different age groups. During the year, the department produced interactive CD-ROM games for secondary school students, a TV cartoon series for children and a TV spot series for working youth.
With regard to the District Councils Election held in November, the department launched a comprehensive education and publicity programme for all candidates, election agents, helpers and voters.