Lawmakers accuse former anti-corruption chief of dodging graft questions
Former ICAC chief granted legal privilege on his testimony at second hearing next week
Former anti-graft chief Timothy Tong Hin-ming will face a new grilling on Friday after his first appearance before lawmakers yesterday failed to satisfy their thirst for answers over his alleged use of public money on lavish receptions during his tenure.
The hearing of the Legislative Council's Public Accounts Committee to question Tong and his successor, Simon Peh Yun-lu, was meant to run for four hours but ended after Tong gave evidence for less than 90 minutes when lawmakers accused him of dodging questions and wasting time.
The committee decided to invoke the Powers and Privileges Ordinance, which would grant legal privilege to Tong's testimony, meaning it cannot be used against him in legal proceedings.
It would also allow the former Independent Commission Against Corruption commissioner to answer questions without compromising an ongoing criminal investigation into his conduct being carried out by the agency he used to head.
Tong looked haggard as he faced questions over the ICAC spending on anti-graft education, two lavish dinners he hosted and his approval of expenditure which exceeded permitted spending levels and which were revealed in an official audit report last month.
The former high-ranking civil servant, who is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the nation's top political advisory body, did not offer any apology when he faced the press after the hearing.
