Hong Kong’s Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) yesterday charged a manager with China Railways 15th Bureau (CR15) with accepting a US$250,000 bribe from a subcontractor.
Xu Wenju, 40, deputy general manager of CR15, faces one count of conspiracy to accept an advantage contrary to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
The same change was brought against Ng Koon-shing, 60, the operator of Hanki Contractors (Hong Kong) & Associates Limited.
Both men were released on ICAC bail, pending their appearance at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorow.
According to an ICAC press statement, Xu was responsible for overseeing CR15’s construction projects in Hong Kong, while Ng was the operator of a works subcontractor.
CR15 was working on an infrastructure project in Tseung Kwan O, one of Hong Kong’s nine new towns, built on mainly reclaimed land in the north of the Special Administrative Region.
Xu was on the management committee of the project, where he approved tenders submitted by subcontractors.
The ICAC alleges that between July and November 2022, Xu agreed to assist Hanki to secure a groundworks subcontract.
The commission said its investigation began after a complaint was made. It claims that its enquiries suggested that Hanki would not have been invited to bid for the works had it not been recommended to the management committee by Xu.
After Hanki’s submission of its tender, the ICAC says Xu provided it with advice and assistance. However, since Hanki was not the lowest bidder, it was not awarded the contract.
CR15 rendered full assistance to the ICAC during its investigation into the case.
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