Extent of corruption in municipal bodies poses 'biggest obstacle' in battle against graft

Rampant corruption at the municipal level could be the worst obstacle authorities face in their fight against graft, experts say.

The problem was highlighted recently as media reported more cases involving local-level officials taking bribes collectively.

In Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, 125 officials at the city's water department and seven businessmen received unspecified punishment for taking massive bribes, according to the official newspaper of the Communist Party's graft watchdog, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

However, most of the officials caught up in the scandal received immunity from prosecution, while only 17 received various prison terms for taking bribes totalling more than 76 million yuan (HK$96 million). One of those jailed, for 12½ years, was the department's director.

Others punished included the city's water chief, several deputies and a businessman who offered bribes to obtain water-related construction projects.

The CCDI newspaper quoted investigators as saying the result was "unexpected" because so many officials at the water conservancy bureau were corrupt.