ENG-1992 — Page 316

PUBLIC ORDER

based on actual ICAC cases was televised during the year. The television series aimed to increase the public's understanding of ICAC's investigation work. A radio drama phone-in programme was produced with the co-operation of Radio Television Hong Kong. It provided a forum for the public to express their views on issues about corruption.

A new package of anti-corruption teaching material has been developed by the department for launching in early 1993: the 'Onward to 21 - Life and Work Guidance Package' is designed to instil a positive attitude and a strong sense of work ethics in would-be school leavers.

International Co-operation

International inter-agency co-operation is essential if effective action is to be taken against corruption which crosses all forms of borders and boundaries. A good example was the great success in the crackdown of syndicated corruption-related crime in credit card fraud in which inter-agency cooperation was an essential element.

In March, the commissioner and heads of the ICAC's three departments delivered key speeches at the Fifth International Anti-Corruption Conference held in Amsterdam. The commissioner led an ICAC delegation to China to visit the Guangdong Provincial People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in September, and the Hainan Supervision Bureau in October for a general exchange of views and experience.

In Hong Kong, the ICAC played host to a regional seminar on corruption-related crime in September with a view to creating a multi-agency forum within the Asia-Pacific region for discussion of particular operational problems which have regional or global implica- tions. The seminar was attended by 16 overseas delegates from six countries. During the year, the ICAC also received 65 visitors from law enforcement agencies of various countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, China, Egypt, Zambia and Tanzania.

On the investigation side, the Operations Department sent its officers overseas on more than 118 occasions for specific enquiries into various cases.

Checks and Balances

To minimise the possibility of any abuse of power, the ICAC is subject to a stringent system of checks and balances. At the policy level the ICAC is guided by an Advisory Committee on Corruption which reviews and advises the commissioner on all aspects of anti-corruption policy, strategy and legislation. It comprises seven prominent citizens and three government officials.

When an investigation is completed, decisions to prosecute are made independently by the Attorney General or his representatives. The courts alone decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused. If the Attorney General's decision is not to prosecute, then the results of the investigation are submitted for advice on what further action is necessary to the Operations Review Committee comprising four civic leaders appointed by the Governor and four senior officials.

Two other committees, the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations and the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee, review and advise on the work of the Community Relations Department and Corruption Prevention Department respectively.

Members of the public can lodge formal complaints against ICAC officers to an ICAC Complaints Committee comprising eight members, among who are five members of the

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