Two face bribery raps linked to CEDD works

Cheng Wong

Two individuals associated with a subcontractor of a Civil Engineering and Development Department project were charged by the Independent Commission Against Corruption with conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage.

Last September, ICAC charged a former deputy general manager of China Railway 15th Bureau Group (Hong Kong Representative Office) - a CEDD Tseung Kwan O works contractor - for allegedly agreeing to accept a HK$2 million bribe from Hanki Contractors (HK) & Associates to secure a subcontract that ultimately did not materialize.

Upon receiving further legal advice from the Department of Justice, ICAC on Monday further charged Hanki director and shareholder Ng Kwok-hei and Kenus Lai Wai-keung, a merchant associated with the subcontractor, with bribery.

The two were released on bail pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates' Courts today. The prosecution will seek to consolidate this case with that from last September and transfer them to the District Court for a plea.

Between July and November 2022, the two allegedly conspired with Hanki operator Ng Koon-shing to bribe former CR15 deputy general manager Xu Wenju with HK$2 million to help Hanki secure the CEDD project's slope and soil nail works subcontract.

The ICAC investigation stemmed from a corruption complaint indicating that the four defendants allegedly reached a bribery agreement during that period.

It was revealed that Hanki would not have been invited to bid without Xu's recommendation.

Although Hanki received advice and assistance from Xu during the tender process, the contract was ultimately not awarded to them as they were not the lowest bidder.

cheng.wong@singtaonewscorp.com