Hong Kong ex-leader Tsang charged in corruption probe
Tsang will appear in court again on November 13, and he has been bailed on a surety of HK$100,000.
Former Chief Executive (CE) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Donald Tsang Yam-kuen appeared in Eastern Magistracy this (Monday) afternoon after being charged by the ICAC with twocounts of misconduct in public office.
The city’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) said Tsang had failed to publicly declare that he was in talks to lease the apartment while its owner was involved in a bid to seek a broadcasting license from Hong Kong’s government. He was also ordered to inform the ICAC of his travel itinerary at least 24 hours before leaving Hong Kong and not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that his wife accompanied him during his appearance at court, and she said that she was truly disheartened as she and her husband are harassed daily for the past few years.
Public resentment towards Tsang had centred on reports of lavish spending on overseas duty visits, along with allegations of taking trips with tycoons by private jet and luxury yacht and of accepting a sweetheart rental deal for the Shenzhen flat. Tsang was proposing that the architect be referred for consideration for nomination under the city’s honours and awards system.
It is the latest in a string of corruption revelations that have raised concerns about the relationship between government officials and business leaders.
Tsang stood in court as a clerk read out the charges, saying “I understand” after each charge.
In 2012, Tsang had retired after a high-flying career as a civil servant, serving as a senior official in the former British colonial administration and a former financial secretary.
“My conscience is clear”, he said. In a separate corruption case past year, a former Hong Kong chief secretary – the second-highest ranking official – and a co-chairman of one of the city’s biggest property developers were given prison sentences.
“I have every confidence that the court will exonerate me at the end of its proceedings”, he said.
