ICAC Commissioner Wraps Up Successful ASEAN Mission Advancing Anti-Corruption Collaboration

ICAC Commissioner Concludes His Successful Mission to ASEAN

ICAC Commissioner Mr. Woo Ying-ming has just returned from a crucial seven-day visit to three nations that are members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), namely Brunei Darussalam, Singapore, and Indonesia. This visit, which took place in early May 2025, significantly bolstered anti-corruption collaboration between Hong Kong and its ASEAN partners. It is expected that the outcomes of this mission will contribute positively to maintaining integrity across both Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in the long run.

Strengthening Ties with Brunei Darussalam

The notable journey began in Brunei Darussalam, where Mr. Woo met with Datin Paduka Hajah Anifa Rafiza binti Haji Abdul Ghani, the Director of Brunei’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and an esteemed member of the IAACA Executive Committee. During their discussions, the two leaders shared insights on their respective anti-corruption initiatives. Notably, in January, the ICAC had co-hosted a noteworthy training program with ACB, aimed at engaging youth in the fight against corruption—a program that received favorable responses. The recent meeting served to reinforce the collaboration regarding officer training and other initiatives, including a planned webinar on forensic accounting, jointly rendered by both organizations in June.

Mr. Woo emphasized how the meeting not only solidified the partnership between the two bodies but also reflected the outstanding strides made by IAACA to enhance international cooperation in combating graft.

Innovations in Singapore

Following his productive discussions in Brunei, Mr. Woo and his delegation proceeded to Singapore to meet with Mr. Sam Tee, the Director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB). The meeting was fruitful, establishing numerous collaborative efforts, including the mutual secondment of officers from both ICAC and CPIB. This will facilitate practical experience sharing and enhancement of their anti-corruption capabilities.

In addition, the delegation met with Mr. Hoong Wee-teck, the Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force (SPF), to exchange views on law enforcement. They also took part in a visit to the Home Team School of Criminal Investigation, where they learned about the latest technological applications in crime investigation. Mr. Woo highlighted the necessity for timely and effective exchanges on anti-corruption efforts, especially as both Hong Kong and Singapore are leading financial hubs in Asia. Given the sophistication of cross-boundary corruption, the maintenance of economic stability and an environment conducive to investment hinges on these exchanges.

Meeting in Indonesia

The final destination of the ICAC delegation was Indonesia, where they engaged with Mr. Setyo Budiyanto, Chairman of the Corruption Eradication Commission of Indonesia (KPK). During this meeting, the two parties reflected on the Memorandum of Understanding signed the previous September, which lays the groundwork for strategic anti-corruption cooperation. The KPK holds the rotating chair of ASEAN Parties Against Corruption, and in their discussions, Mr. Woo advocated for further collaboration focusing on law enforcement and preventive education.

Moreover, the ICAC delegation took the opportunity to invite representatives from the three attending ASEAN countries to join a regional training program on youth engagement to combat corruption, scheduled for July in Thailand. This program is a collaborative effort among the ICAC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), IAACA, and Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission. Additionally, the officials invited participation in the upcoming “Coding4Integrity” Asian Youth Anti-Corruption Hackathon, hosted in Hong Kong this September. This innovative event aims to gather talented youths from across the region for Asia's first large-scale coding competition against corruption while fostering integrity awareness.

Impact and Future Directions

In summarizing the outcomes of his visit, Mr. Woo expressed that the delegation had successfully engaged with four law enforcement agencies across the three nations, yielding significant results in a notably short duration. He reiterated that amid a complex geopolitical climate, nurturing practical anti-corruption collaborations with ASEAN members is paramount for the Commission, ensuring robust international partnerships. The delegation also took time to consult with various ambassadors of the People’s Republic of China to ASEAN member nations, gaining insights into local socioeconomic developments and the cooperative landscape between China and ASEAN countries.

As the world grapples with corruption-related challenges, these intensified efforts mark a significant step forward in fostering a transparent and accountable governance environment across Southeast Asia.