Top rail official in graft inquiry

A SENIOR Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC) official involved in awarding construction and design contracts has been arrested in a bribery investigation.

Sin Wai-tai, senior manager (buildings), left his job with the KCRC last week. A KCRC spokesman yesterday would confirm only that one of its personnel was 'assisting the ICAC in an investigation'.

Last night, Sin, 42, criticised his dismissal.

He said he had given 11 years of faithful service, but as soon as he was arrested he was dismissed, although the allegations had not been proved.

Sin said he was now looking for another job to support his family, but refused to give details of his family situation.

Sin maintained that he was innocent of any allegations of wrongdoing.

An ICAC spokesman said a senior manager of the KCRC was arrested on April 19 on suspicion of 'accepting bribes for his assistance over the award of construction and design contracts by the KCRC'.

His arrest came after search warrants were executed at his home.

The ICAC spokesman said 11 others were interviewed in relation to the investigation and that two had been arrested.

Sin was released on ICAC bail on April 20.