Immigration Chiefs Probing Festive Hamper Controversy

The Immigration Department says it's looking into claims that two officers received festive hampers from an Evergrande executive, after media reports suggested the pair could have breached anti-bribery rules by accepting them.

The department said the two officers involved have since explained that they received the gifts from personal friends and did not declare them because the hampers were not so valuable and they had no dealings with the friends in their official capacities.

Civil servants are allowed to accept gifts from close friends on special occasions, as long as the presents are not worth more than HK$3,000. The officers reportedly told Stand News that the hampers were worth less than this, after discounts.

Speaking to reporters, Security Secretary Chris Tang sidestepped a question on whether the ICAC should look into the matter.

"Regarding the allegations of immigration officers accepting some gifts, I think they have given an account of the incident and the Immigration Department is going to investigate. I think after the conclusion of the investigation, we can comment further," he said.

But barrister and former ICAC chief investigator Stephen Char told Commercial Radio that the controversy did not look good.

"Only they [the officers] know if he's their close friend, perhaps they need to give an explanation. Even if they are good friends, it's not just about accepting advantages, it's about reciprocity," he said.

"The crux of the matter is whether Evergrande has any dealings with the Immigration Department. If it does, it would be quite serious. Section eight of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance states that if anyone, be it an individual or a company, has dealings with a government department, offering advantages to the department's officers could breach the law."

Earlier this year, Director of Immigration Au Ka-wang admitted that he joined a free hotpot dinner at a luxury club in Wan Chai, reportedly hosted by Evergrande. He was fined HK$5,000 for flouting a cap on group gatherings by attending the meal.