Insights from Hong Kong

Posts Tagged ‘ICAC’

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From Today’s Cantonese Press

In Hong Kong on 7 November 2012 at 4:59 PM

Justice secretary supports the presence of non-Chinese judges

Yesterday, Alan Hoo, Chairman of the Basic Law Institute, at a seminar on the Basic Law, said that Hong Kong people should administer Hong Kong across all governance areas. He also said that Hong Kong did not have enough Chinese judges. Regarding this suggestion, Justice Secretary Yuen Kwok-keung has provided a rare rebuttal, saying that any suggestion to limit foreign judges could greatly limit the perspectives of judges overall. He also said that foreign judges enhance the reputation of Hong Kong’s legal organizations and help maintain a connection with other common law jurisdictions.

 

ICAC to hear appeal of prosecutors against Stephen Chan

Yesterday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) began its appeal against the acquittal of former TVB General Manager Stephen Chan and his former assistant for corruption charges. Prosecutors had alleged that Chan had illegally received payment for hosting a talk show on the station that he managed, but Chan was acquitted on the grounds that he had a reasonable belief that his actions would be allowed if he attended in the capacity of a celebrity instead of as a TV station manager. Chan’s lawyer also believes that Chan’s actions were beneficial for TVB. Justice Wally Yeung Chun-kuen, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, claims that the former judge made a false ruling. He said that if Chan’s defense were accepted, anyone could receive a reward by saying that their action was beneficial to their principal.

 

ICAC calls for a HK$100 million investigation

The corruption case against Former Chief Secretary for Administration Raphael Hui and co-chairmen of the Sun Hong Kai property group Thomas and Raymond Kwok will soon be heard by the High Court. The Department of Justice and the ICAC have requested that LegCo make an allocation for a special investigator for what they have called the largest corruption case in local history. The investigation might cost up to HK$100 million.

 

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Hong Kong’s Chief Executive: No More Free Gifts & No More Whistling!

In Hong Kong on 15 June 2012 at 2:27 PM

Goodbye – and thanks for all the stuff!

The people of Hong Kong are relieved.

Since he was exposed having accepted gifts from billionaire businessmen, the Chief Executive of this nation hasn’t strayed. He said he learned his lesson. Donald Tsang says he’s stopped accepting favours and gifts.

“Since my previous trip to Macau, I have not visited Macau again with so-called tycoons,” said Donald Tsang in legislature yesterday. “I have also avoided riding on private yachts or flying in the jets of others.”

Can you hear the collective sigh of relief? Imagine. The nation’s top public official won’t take rides in private yachts, or accept free tickets on private jets. How does he get around?

Back in March this year Chief Executive Donald Tsang was exposed for accepting gifts from well-known business people in Hong Kong. (See my earlier post.) He’d been on private yachts, staid free in luxury hotels, flown on private planes and planned to retire in a luxury apartment rented at a fraction of the fair market value.

Could these gifts have influenced his legislation? Not at all said Donald.

Then in June a government audit found Tsang was staying in presidential suites when traveling on business – and charging the Hong Kong taxpayers. (Again an earlier post on the subject.) His overall travel budget was astronomical.

(Please note, that even the French President had “jet envy” and ordered a US$230 million jet to compete with Air Force One in the USA. It wasn’t that Sarkozy was short.  He just envied Obama’s big fuselage.)

Yesterday Donald Tsang gave his final address before LegCo (Legislative Council). In this he said he’d learned from his mistakes. He hadn’t taken more gifts. He would serve out his remaining 15 days in power traveling on public transportation (or just staying home until he was free to fly first class again).

He even addressed an age-old suspicion that he was…a whistler.

Seems before he stepped into the role, Mr Tsang paid the former Chief Executive a visit. He whistled on his walk there. Days later Tung Chee-hwa stepped down and Donald “The Whistler” Tsang assumed the role. Maybe he should have hummed “Ode to Joy” instead?

“I have never whistled again since then,” said Tsang yesterday. “So I think we learn from what has happened.”

Many have called for Tsang to step down. Instead he plans to serve out the remainder of this month working on the issues that matter to the people of Hong Kong. When pressed as to what those might be, he said income disparity and housing concerns.

My advice? Let Chief Executive Tsang continue for 15 days if he plans to tackle those two issues. If he has time he might also reduce air pollution and improve public transport. Hell – if he does any of those things he’s outlined for the next 15 days I’d even encourage him to whistle again.

Perhaps he can practice whistling as he walks to address the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). They are investigating his acceptance of gifts from “so-called tycoons,” as Tsang calls them.

Donald can join Goofy and “Whistle While You Work”! 

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Donald Tsang, HK Chief Executive: Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

In China, Hong Kong, Public Affairs on 6 March 2012 at 11:12 AM

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, is embroiled in a conflict of interest scandal. Evidence has been offered that Tsang accepted flights in private jets, rides in luxury yachts, discounted rent in a showcase apartment and today it’s alleged he spent the night in a high roller suite at a Macau Casino.

The problem with all of these is Tsang failed to pay fair market value. Oops. And he failed to disclose the gifts. Double Oops.

The South China Morning Post today has a front page feature revealing almost 60% of people in Hong Kong do not accept the Chief Executive’s explanations for the gifts. And 73% believe he should be suspended from duties while an investigation is conducted (see full results on-line if you are registered with SCMP.com).

“I believe after this, no one will dare to invite me to their yacht. And no one will invite me to their private jets,” said Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang to legislators, after an investigation was launched this week by the Independent Committee Against Corruption (ICAC). (See full story at The Shanghaiist).

The scandal also involves a luxury apartment across the border in Shenzhen, that appears hard to afford on the modest retirement pension provided to outgoing Chief Executives:

According to Ming Pao Daily News, the 6,500 sq ft unit is at least HK$50 million. The unit takes up the 35th to 37th floors of an upscale building located in the Futian District, near the Hong Kong border (according to Property Guru).

Local real estate agents estimate the rental to be HK$100,000 per month on the open market today.

Finally in today’s Chinese papers there are reports that Tsang and his wife stayed the night at the Palazzo suite in the Macau Venetian Hotel which only accommodates big gamblers.

It’s hard to imagine a political leader in any other country surviving a similar scandal. What if Barack Obama had a penthouse in Trump Towers and only paid a few hundred dollars a month rent? Or if Julia Gillard accepted international flights on the private jet of a mining company? Or if Angela Merkel spent weekends on a luxury yacht provided by a defence contractor? These hypothetical situations show the absurdity of the conflict of interest.

Today Donald Tsang’s reputation is in ruins, yet he continues to serve as we all await the results of an ICAC Inquiry. Until then, perhaps there is time for refreshing reading on Integrity – a free brochure available on the ICAC website.

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