FRIDAY, MAY 16, 1980
MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO ICAC LAWS
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A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT AMENDMENTS MAY BE MADE TO HONG KONG'S ANTI-CORRUPTION LAWS FOLLOWING A MAJOR REVIEW OF THE TWO ORDINANCES UNDER WHICH THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OPERATES.
THE PROPOSALS ARE CONTAINED IN THE PREVENTION OF BRIBERY (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 AND THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1980 WHICH WERE PUBLISHED IN AN EXTRAORDINARY ISSUE OF THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE TODAY.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY THAT THE BILLS SEEK TO STRENGTHEN THE ICAC'S POWERS OF INVESTIGATION, INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR SERIOUS CORRUPTION OFFENCES AND TIGHTEN UP EXISTING LEGISLATION.
+THE PROPOSALS ARE AIMED AT MAKING IMPROVEMENTS WHICH EXPERIENCE HAS SHOWN TO BE NECESSARY IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT THE ICAC HAS ADEQUATE POWERS TO CARRY OUT ITS TASK,+ THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.
AT PRESENT, THE ICAC MUST HAND OVER TO THE POLICE CASES OF BLACKMAIL WHICH ARISE DURING THE INVESTIGATION OF A CORRUPTION OFFENCE. A PROPOSED AMENDMENT WILL GIVE THE ICAC THE DISCRETION TO CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE AND TO CHARGE A CIVIL SERVANT SUSPECTED OF HAVING COMMITTED BLACKMAIL THROUGH THE MISUSE OF OFFICE.
IT IS ALSO PROPOSED TO GIVE THE ICAG THE POWER OF ARREST WHEN OFFENCES OF THEFT OR FALSE ACCOUNTING ARE UNCOVERED IN THE COURSE OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS.
OTHER NEW OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES WHICH MAY BE INTRODUCED INCLUDE THE DETENTION OF PERSONS FOUND ON PREMISES UNDERGOING AUTHORISED SEARCHES AND THE LOWERING OF THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF OFFICERS EMPOWERED TO DETAIN OR BAIL SUSPECTS, FROM ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TO SENIOR COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION OFFICER.
SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ARE PROPOSED TO A SECTION OF THE ORDINANCE DEALING WITH NOTICES COMPELLING SUSPECTS TO EXPLAIN THEIR WEALTH. IF ACCEPTED, THEY WILL REQUIRE SUSPECTS TO SUPPLY
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PARTICULARS OF ASSETS UNDER THEIR CONTROL OVER
A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE OF THE NOTICE, RATHER THAN ONE YEAR AS AT PRESENT-
ALL INFORMATION TO WHICH THEY HAVE ACCESS, RATHER THAN JUST IN THEIR POSSESSION.
IN THE MATTER OF ORDERS DIRECTING SUSPECTS NOT TO DISPOSE OF OR DEAL WITH ANY PROPERTY SPECIFIED IN A NOTICE, THE BILLS PROVIDE FOR:
* THE REGISTRATION OF RESTRAINING ORDERS IN
THE LAND OFFICE, TO WARN PROSPECTIVE BUYERS-
* NOTICES TO BE SERVED ON BANKS AND DEPOSIT-
TAKING COMPANIES, DIRECTING THEM NOT TO PAY ANY MONEY TO ACCOUNT-HOLDERS-
THE GRANT