Restoring trust in ICAC paramount

Convictions in the city's most high-profile corruption case may give a welcome boost to the image of the Independent Commission Against Corruption. Since the ICAC is charged with maintaining public trust in the system, confidence in the watchdog itself is paramount. An expenses scandal last year involving a former ICAC commissioner may seem trivial compared to the scale of corruption uncovered by the current crackdown on the mainland. But it can take just one lapse to ruin a reputation built up over many years. We were reminded of this at the watchdog's annual year-end media conference, where it reported that the number of corruption complaints had fallen for a third consecutive year, by 11 per cent. Not so long ago this would have been cited as evidence of the deterrent effect of the ICAC, or, at worst, as a sign that the community might have become blasé about conduct that is less than squeaky clean. Instead, officers had to deny suggestions that the fall was due to loss of public confidence in the watchdog after disclosures of the commissioner's spending and adverse findings by a Legislative Council select committee.

Many may not be convinced, given that the fall in confidence followed a drop of more than 30 per cent in complaints the year the scandal was exposed. This is regrettable. The city's reputation for a clean business environment and largely corruption-free government is not only due to the ICAC's hard work, but also dependent on the community's support for the watchdog.

Thankfully, the stain on the ICAC's reputation is not irremovable. It is therefore good to hear the chairman of its operations review committee, Michael Sze Cho-cheung, claim that the watchdog had been successful in tackling its problems and express confidence that it would soon enjoy the same level of public trust as before. The ICAC is the cornerstone of the city's success and an institutional pillar. It sets Hong Kong as a good example for the country and the region. It cannot remain so without public support. The restoration of trust is paramount.