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The 2003 annual report of the Independent Commission Against Corruption Complaints Committee (the Committee) was tabled in the Legislative Council today (July 7). This is the ninth annual report published by the committee which aims at keeping the community informed of its work.

The committee monitors the handling of non-criminal complaints against the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and its officers, forms an independent view on findings of complaint investigations, reviews ICAC procedures and practices which may lead to complaints, and makes recommendations for improvement.

In 2003, the committee received 29 complaints containing 70 allegations against the ICAC (compared to 38 complaints containing 109 allegations in 2002); 49% of the allegations were on misconduct of ICAC officers, 36% on abuse of power, 14% on neglect of duties and the rest were about inadequacies in ICAC procedures.

During the year, the committee considered investigation reports on 35 complaints from the ICAC (compared to 26 complaints in 2002). Nine complaints involving 10 allegations were found to be either substantiated or partially substantiated. In the course of examination, the committee carefully scrutinised the internal procedures, guidelines and practices of the ICAC. In the light of committee recommendations, the ICAC has implemented improvement measures. For example, the ICAC has reviewed the provision of food to detainees and the upkeep of hygiene conditions of detention cells in the ICAC Detention Centre. A stock of instant liquidised food and soft drinks is being kept to cater for the dietary needs of detainees. Internal instructions have been issued that any food left uneaten by detainees should be removed from detention cells at reasonable intervals.

In 2003, the committee was chaired by the Honourable Yang Ti Liang, GBM, JP and comprised the Honourable Tommy Cheung Yu-yan, JP; Mr Ambrose Ho, SC; the Honourable Fred Li Wah-ming, JP; the Honourable Andrew Liao Cheung-sing, SBS, SC, JP; Mr Robert Tang Kwok-ching, SC, JP; the Honourable Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, GBS, JP and Mrs Betty Neoh / Mr Tony Ma (representative of The Ombudsman).

The 2003 annual report is available to the public for inspection at the Regional Offices of the ICAC. The report is also available at the website http://www.info.gov.hk/admwing.

Ends/Wednesday, July 7, 2004

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