Public Order | 317
Independent Commission Against Corruption
Hong Kong continues to be recognised around the world as one of the most corruption-free places, particularly for its clean civil service and level playing field for businesses.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), an anti-graft agency independent of the civil service, fights corruption without fear or favour.
Its independence is guaranteed by the Basic Law. The agency's commissioner is directly accountable to the Chief Executive of the HKSAR.
The anti-corruption body's professionalism and track record in combating graft through enforcement, prevention and education is an inspiration to the public.
The latest annual opinion survey, conducted by an independent research company, showed nearly 99 per cent of respondents expressing support for the agency. This confidence in the ICAC was further reflected in the large number of people (73 per cent) revealing their names in their corruption reports to the agency.
The year also saw the completion of the agency's custom-built building, which is equipped with the latest facilities for training and carrying out anti-graft operations.
Following the signing of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) by the Central People's Government, the ICAC, as Hong Kong's anti- corruption agency, has further enhanced its already active participation in the international anti-corruption campaign.
Corruption Situation
The ICAC received 3 600 corruption reports in 2007, eight per cent more than in 2006. But complaints against the government sector fell nine per cent. The largest number or 66 per cent of all complaints received by the ICAC was against individuals or organisations in the private sector. Complaints against government departments and public bodies accounted for 27 per cent and seven per cent respectively of all complaints made to the ICAC.
The ICAC also received 913 reports relating to public elections held in 2007, including the Chief Executive Election, District Council Elections, Village Representative Elections, Rural Committee Elections, and the Legislative Council By-election. Most of the allegations were of a relatively minor nature.
Investigation
The Operations Department is empowered by law to investigate every pursuable report of corruption in both the public and private sectors. To keep corruption under tight control, the department adopts a strategy to flush out hidden cases and to continuously upgrade its investigative capability. Its investigative work is conducted in strict compliance with the law, including the Interception of Communications and Surveillance Ordinance (ICSO) enacted in 2006.
During the year, the department handled some major corruption-related cases involving fraudulent insurance claims, listing improprieties and bank loan frauds as
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