Integrity Focus

A former rigger of a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project of the Hong Kong International Airport (Third Runway Project), charged by the ICAC, was today (May 30) sentenced to six months’ imprisonment at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts for accepting bribes from two other riggers for securing and continuing their employment with the sub-contractor.

Lu Wuhu, 47, former rigger of MLife Engineering Limited (MEL), was earlier found guilty of three counts of conspiracy for agents to accept an advantage, contrary to Section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and Section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

In sentencing, Magistrate Mr Jeffrey Sze Cho-yiu said the defendant had breached the trust placed in him by his employer, warranting a deterrent sentence. The Magistrate had earlier ordered the defendants to pay $4,500, being the bribes involved in the case, as restitutions to MEL.

The court heard that at the material time, MEL was a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project responsible for recruiting construction workers to conduct various works. Lu was employed as a rigger. Between April and May 2021, Lu accepted bribes totalling $4,500 from two other riggers for assisting them to secure and continue their employment with MEL.

An ICAC spokesperson urges construction workers not to tolerate corruption. Should they be asked to offer advantages in exchange for their employment, they should report to the ICAC immediately. Report corruption hotline: 25 266 366.

In recent years, the ICAC had taken a series of enforcement actions against corrupt practices of similar nature to this case. A total of 23 former employees of the main contractor and a sub-contractor of the Third Runway Project were charged by the ICAC with bribery. Seventeen of them, including Lu, had pleaded guilty or were found guilty after trial, receiving sentences up 10 months in jail. Four others are awaiting plea or trial.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong, SAPR JV and MEL have rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.

The prosecution was today represented by prosecuting counsel Sher Hon-piu, assisted by ICAC officers Kyle Tang and Christine Chiang.