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ICAC
OpinionComment

Please don’t walk away, Rebecca Li – Hong Kong needs to maintain confidence in the ICAC

Tony Kwok says allegations of political interference at the Independent Commission Against Corruption are unfounded, and former top graft investigator Rebecca Li should reconsider her decision to resign

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Tony Kwok says allegations of political interference at the Independent Commission Against Corruption are unfounded, and former top graft investigator Rebecca Li should reconsider her decision to resign
Tony Kwok
Critics suggest that Rebecca Li’s resignation is related to the ongoing investigation of the chief executive. This is a very serious allegation, and those who make such allegations should come up with proof or otherwise be regarded as totally irresponsible.
Critics suggest that Rebecca Li’s resignation is related to the ongoing investigation of the chief executive. This is a very serious allegation, and those who make such allegations should come up with proof or otherwise be regarded as totally irresponsible.
The controversy surrounding the resignation of Rebecca Li Bo-lan, the former acting deputy commissioner and head of operations at the Independent Commission Against Corruption, has not only been politicised and used by local pan-democrats and the media to attack the ICAC and the chief executive, but the issue has now been picked up by the international media.
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In a report by The New York Times published this week, Emily Lau Wai-hing, chairwoman of the Democratic Party, warned about the damage done to Hong Kong institutions by pro-Beijing officials. And she said: “If the ICAC is finished, Hong Kong is also finished.”

So is the ICAC finished?

Not many Hong Kong people are aware that according to the law, specifically in the Independent Commission Against Corruption Ordinance and the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, the definition of “the Commissioner” refers to both the commissioner and deputy commissioner. A deputy commissioner is not just the head of operations, but is expected to fulfil all the duties and to exercise all the power of the commissioner under the law. Hence, in choosing a suitable candidate for this post, it is not enough for someone to be good in operations, but he or she should also possess the ability, when necessary, to head the commission.

People walk past the ICAC headquarters in North Point. Hong Kong's anti-corruption body is going through a period of turmoil, first with the high-profile resignation of Rebecca Li, and then the resignation of Dale Ko, a long-serving senior investigator. Photo: EPA
People walk past the ICAC headquarters in North Point. Hong Kong's anti-corruption body is going through a period of turmoil, first with the high-profile resignation of Rebecca Li, and then the resignation of Dale Ko, a long-serving senior investigator. Photo: EPA

The ICAC must clear the air over removal of senior investigator

As the first local officer to be appointed deputy commissioner and head of operations, I did not have a smooth sailing to the appointment. I was appointed the director of investigation in 1993 and by the end of 1995, my expatriate predecessor was due for retirement as he had reached the age of 60. Most people expected me to be promoted then, but it was decided that the service of my predecessor should be extended for six months, and the explanation given to me then was that “I was not yet ready”. I respected the decision. Six months later, I was not promoted immediately but had to act for six months in the higher post before I received the formal appointment.

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