ICAC sees 3pc rise in corruption gripes

Ayra Wang

The Independent Commission Against Corruption received 2,058 corruption complaints in 2024, a 3 percent increase from the previous year.

Among these, 480 targeted government departments - a 6 percent rise - with the police force receiving the most complaints, followed by the Correctional Services Department.

Complaints involving public bodies surged 26 percent to 140 cases, led by the Hospital Authority at 17 percent. Other notable entities were the MTR Corporation and Hong Kong Jockey Club.

"The fluctuation in complaint numbers is normal and does not always translate into prosecutions," said Bernard Charnwut Chan, chairman of the Operations Review Committee.

He noted the five-year average for government-related complaints is 548 annually, indicating that 2023's figures remain low.

ICAC prosecuted 207 individuals, securing 119 convictions, including 16 civil servants. Private sector complaints stayed steady at 1,440, with construction sector complaints surging by 45 percent to 190 last year.

Despite the rise in complaints, Chan touted Hong Kong's robust anti-corruption framework, stating: "There is no evidence of systemic or organized corruption."

Chan Kin-por, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption, highlighted ICAC's global efforts, including co-hosting the 8th ICAC Symposium and unveiling the Hong Kong Declaration on Strengthening International Cooperation in Preventing and Fighting Corruption.