Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)

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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Published: 5:45pm, 28 Jul 2016Updated: 10:22am, 5 Oct 2016

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.

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.