Fighting Corruption The Successful Formula

Way Ahead
New Challenges
In the new millennium, the ICAC like all other anti-graft agencies are facing new
challenges. The world has changed and corruption has changed with it. Apart
from far-reaching economic, social and technological developments that have
made anti-corruption work more complex and challenging, the ICAC also faces
other challenges. Public expectation of effectiveness, transparency and
accountability is rising, and there have been doubts expressed about the
Commission’s ability to continue to function effectively and independently. These
problems will require the continuing focus of the ICAC.
A Fresh Strategy
Looking into the future challenges, it becomes clear that the ICAC needs a fresh
strategy to deal with corruption. The three departments of the ICAC have
therefore embarked on new plans and upgrade their structures and operations to

---

9
gear themselves up for a three-pronged attack on corruption in the new
millennium.
On the operations front, the ICAC has adopted a more proactive strategy in
tackling corruption. This means more aggressive intelligence gathering from
private and public sector networks which produced useful information. To counter
the increasing difficulties in investigating corruption, our investigators’ capabilities
are enhanced by more sophisticated application of information technology in
analysing criminal intelligence, application of forensic science, and carefully co-
ordinated use of informants and undercover agents.
In addition, new sections were set up to facilitate the work of investigators. A
Financial Investigation Section was created to supply skills relevant to
investigating commercially related corruption, and a Computer Forensics and IT
Research and Development Section was established to develop officers’
professional capabilities in the area of high technology. These sections will enable
the ICAC to crack down even more effectively on illegal operations in commerce,
as well as those taking advantage of computer technology to pursue corrupt ends.
On the corruption prevention front, the ICAC has developed its quick response
capability to analyse problem areas exposed in investigations and to follow up
promptly so as to offer prompt corruption prevention advice to the organisations
concerned. The Corruption Prevention Department of the ICAC will continue to
work in close partnership with the management of Government departments and
organisations in the public sector to identify the risk of corruption in their systems
and procedures and to offer corruption resistant safeguards. Free and confidential
corruption prevention service to the private sector will continue to be provided by
the Advisory Services Group and through the hot-line service.
On the education front, the ICAC will keep corruption an issue of public concern
and step up educational efforts for high priority targets, such as civil servants,
young people and immigrants newly arrived at Hong Kong. Efforts will also

---

10
continue in cultivating and reinforcing public support through intensive liaison
activities and massive publicity programmes.