Integrity Focus

The ICAC had earlier charged a then deputy general manager of a contractor of a works project in Tseung Kwan O of the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) with conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage for allegedly reaching an agreement with a subcontractor to accept a bribe of $2 million in relation to securing a subcontract of the project, which subsequently did not materialise. Two other individuals associated with the subcontractor were charged by the Commission yesterday (March 3) with bribery.

In September last year, Xu Wenju, 41, then deputy general manager of the Hong Kong Representative Office, China Railway 15th Bureau Group Company Limited (CR15); and Ng Koon-shing, 61, operator of Hanki Contractors (Hong Kong) & Associates Limited (Hanki), were charged with one count of conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage, contrary to section 9(1)(a) of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and section 159A of the Crimes Ordinance.

Upon receipt of further legal advice from the Department of Justice, the ICAC yesterday further charged two individuals with conspiracy for an agent to accept an advantage. They were Ng Kwok-hei, 74, director cum shareholder of Hanki; and Kenus Lai Wai-keung, 47, merchant. The duo were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (March 5) for mention. The prosecution will apply for consolidation of two cases and transferring the case to the District Court for plea.

At the material time, Xu was the deputy general manager of the Hong Kong Representative Office of CR15 responsible for overseeing the company’s construction projects in Hong Kong. Hanki was set up by Ng Kwok-hei. Ng Koon-shing was an operator of Hanki at the material time while Lai, a merchant, was an associate of Ng Kwok-hei and Ng Koon-shing.

Since May 2022, CR15 had collaborated with another construction company to jointly manage a site formation and infrastructure works project of the CEDD in Tseung Kwan O. Xu represented CR15 to join the management committee of the project to approve tenders submitted by subcontractors and handle relevant supervision matters.

It is alleged that between July and November 2022, Ng Kwok-hei and Lai had conspired together with Xu and Ng Koon-shing for Xu to agree to accept from Ng Koon-shing a bribe of $2 million for assisting Hanki to secure the slope and soil nail works subcontract of the project.

The ICAC investigation arose from a corruption complaint. Enquiries revealed that the four defendants had allegedly reached a bribery agreement during the period. It was also revealed that Hanki would not have been invited to bid for the works if Xu had not recommended it to the management committee of the project. During the tender exercise, Hanki had received advice and assistance from Xu. The contract was eventually not awarded to Hanki as it was not the lowest bidder.

The CEDD and CR15 had rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.