ENG-2015 — Page 324

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Public Order

The ICAC provided free corruption prevention advice to private organisations upon request on a confidential basis, and undertook 62 detailed studies to help government departments and public bodies reduce corruption risks and strengthen internal control. It offered advice on 627 occasions over a range of issues, including new policies, laws and procedures.

Workshops on integrity issues were organised for about 23,000 government staff members. A self-learning 'Web Learning Portal on Integrity Management' was also launched for civil servants.

To promote ethical governance among listed companies in Hong Kong, the commission produced a Toolkit on Directors' Ethics.

A multi-year, territory-wide programme entitled 'All for Integrity' was kicked off to reach out to the community. Among the many activities was a slogan and icon design competition to engage the public in promoting probity messages.

The ICAC continued to provide preventive education services through visits, talks, a dedicated website and a hotline (2929 4555) to prevent corruption in building management and renovation. It promoted anti-corruption messages to young people through various means and platforms, such as a cartoon activity package, an e-book and reading scheme for primary schools; interactive dramas and an iTeen Leadership Programme for secondary schools; and an ICAC Ambassador Programme for tertiary institutes. Some 113,000 secondary and tertiary students were exposed to integrity messages through training and campus activities.

To promote a clean District Council Election, the ICAC rolled out a multifaceted education and publicity programme targeting candidates, their helpers and three million electors. It also launched a community involvement programme on clean elections jointly with the District Councils.

Other publicity initiatives included airing short videos during the closing credits of a television programme, and a radio spot advertising series. The use of new media was stepped up to promote probity messages, particularly to youngsters.

During the year, the ICAC Commissioner visited international organisations to brief them on Hong Kong's latest probity situation and share the latest anti-corruption strategies.

Checks and Balances

Apart from judicial supervision, the work of the ICAC is subject to the scrutiny of four independent committees: the Advisory Committee on Corruption, the Operations Review Committee, the Corruption Prevention Advisory Committee and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Community Relations. The committee chairmen hosted an annual press conference to account for their work in overseeing the ICAC.

All complaints, whether pursuable or not, must be reported to the Operations Review Committee for scrutiny. No investigation can be written off without its endorsement.

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