Former HKTDC manager charged for leaking tender details in $2.3m project

A former assistant business manager of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Feb 28) for plea after assisting a friend in securing an online market platform enhancement project worth over HK$2.3 million.

The 38-year-old defendant Leung Sui-ying, then assistant system and content development business manager of the council, faces one count of misconduct in public office.

She allegedly divulged confidential tender information, including evaluation criteria and tender proposals submitted by other bidders.

Chow Hang-yip, a friend of Leung and serves as the director and shareholder of AF Trinity Technologies Limited, is facing one count of charge for aiding, abetting, counseling, or procuring someone else in committing the offense of misconduct in public office.

Leung and Chow were released on ICAC bail, and will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Feb 28) for plea.

ICAC said TDC carried out a website enhancement project for its online market platform -- e-Marketplace, and Leung was one of the staff members responsible for preparing tender documents and evaluation criteria of the project, as well as to source potential vendors.

The council subsequently invited four vendors to bid for the project and AF Trinity Technologies was one of the bidders. Eventually, the project, incurring a payment of over HK$2.3 million, was awarded to AF Trinity Technologies.

However, following a corruption complaint, the ICAC found that Leung had allegedly divulged the scope of work for the project to Chow before the tender exercise started, as well as the evaluation criteria and the technical proposals submitted by three other bidders.

Furthermore, Leung also allegedly assisted Chow in drafting and compiling AF Trinity Technologies’ technical proposal, and assisted in preparing the company’s oral presentation.

It is also alleged that Leung had concealed from the council that AF Trinity Technologies would be subcontracting part of the project to another company, which was not allowed in accordance to the contract.

Leung was accused of wilfully misconducting herself to facilitate the award of the project to AF Trinity Technologies despite the “confidential” clause in the employment contracts of the council’s staff.

Meanwhile, Chow had allegedly aided, abetted, counseled or procured Leung to misconduct herself.

The HKTDC rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case, according to the city’s anti-graft watchdog.

An ICAC spokesperson notes that public officials should maintain a high standard of integrity and should not disclose confidential information without authorization in exchange for benefits.