Statistics show the "ethical climate" in the civil service as a whole has remained stable over the years, Secretary for the Civil Service Joseph Wong said.

In 2001, the Independent Commission Against Corruption received 1,587 government-sector corruption reports. In 2002, there were 1,638, and in 2003 there were 1,541 - a  5.9% drop in 2003 compared with a year earlier.

The prosecution rate has also slipped. In 2001, 61 civil servants were prosecuted for corruption offences. In 2002, there were 51 and in 2003 there were 50.

"The statistics support the independent assessment made by ICAC that the situation in the government is under control and there is no sign of the resurgence of syndicated corruption," he said in a written reply to Legislative Council member Bernard Chan. 

Referrals for disciplinary action climb 41.8%

The sharp rise in ICAC Operations Review Committee referrals in 2003 was attributable mainly to the presence of several "group cases" where a number of officers were implicated.

In 2001, there were 188 cases referred to bureaux or departments for consideration of disciplinary or administrative action following an ICAC investigation. In 2002, there were 165, and in 2003 there were 234. The 2003 figure represents a rise of 41.8% from 2002.

Police corruption closely monitored

While the Police Force's share of the number of corruption reports received by ICAC has dropped from 565 in 2002 to 532 in 2003, the number of Operations Review Committee referrals involving Police officers increased from 58 in 2002 to 96 in 2003. 

"The situation is closely monitored by Police Force management. It should be noted that a large number of these allegations relate to acts of misconduct or non-compliance with Police procedures rather than corruption or acts tending to suggest corruption," Mr Wong said.

He added that the Force management also noted a high rate of Police referrals to the ICAC. There were 41 referrals in 2002 and 39 referrals in 2003. This reflects the Police's resolve in combating corruption and malpractice, and raises the number of Operations Review Committee cases referred back to the Police for consideration of disciplinary/administrative action.

Gov't, ICAC launch integrity management initiatives

The Administration will continue to watch out for any trends which may be emerging from reports of malpractice and committee referrals. 

Mr Wong said the bureau works closely with the ICAC in the fight against corruption and malpractice. The ICAC regularly shares its assessment of how well the civil service is doing, and such information and observations form useful inputs in the bureau's integrity-management programmes. 

Integrity-management initiatives will cover the incidence of cases involving "neglect of duty", "association with undesirable elements", and "misuse of authority". 

An out-reach team comprising senior officers from the bureau and the ICAC will visit departments to assist them in taking proactive measures to prevent corruption and to promote integrity in the workplace.

The bureau's Secretariat on Civil Service Discipline  works closely with departments to ensure that disciplinary actions are taken in a fair and timely fashion. Where, following investigation, the head of the department considers that the facts of the case do not warrant disciplinary action, he or she may, where appropriate, take administrative action ranging from counselling to the issue of an advisory letter to the officer in question.

32 officers disciplined after ORC referrals

At the end of January, of 234 officers who were the subject of Operations Review Committee referrals in 2003, 84 had undergone a departmental investigation or disciplinary action. Of them, 32 had received punishments ranging from verbal or written warnings to dismissal, and nine had received an advisory letter. Twenty-two of them were implicated in cases involving suspected "dereliction of duty" and 30 implicated for "associating with undesirable elements."

Actions concerning the others are underway. Of the 84 officers, 32 have been awarded disciplinary punishments ranging from verbal/written warning to dismissal, and 9 officers have been issued an advisory letter.