政壇：睇社論學英文：廉署立案查貪湯 重建清譽此其時
廉署立案查貪湯 重建清譽此其時
It is time for the ICAC to redeem its reputation by investigating Tong the greedy
正義也許會遲到，但決不會缺席，前廉政專員湯顯明涉嫌濫用公帑酬酢及送禮等連串貪腐醜聞，重挫香港廉潔奉公核心價值，影響惡劣，掀起公憤。律政司罕有發表聲明，將由廉署立案對湯顯明展開刑事調查，成為廉署成立三十九年來，首名被廉署調查的前專員，相信調查完結之日，也就是湯顯明接受公正裁決之時。
律政司披露的資料顯示，湯顯明兩罪俱發，認為有足夠理據就他涉嫌干犯《防止賄賂條例》和普通法「公職人員行為不檢」罪行展開調查。
隨着港府去年改朝換代，廉政專員已經換人，律政司亦為廉署參與調查人員定下嚴格準則，必須從未參與湯顯明個人安排的任何活動，以及沒有直接或間接關係等，應可確保調查公平公正。從哪裏跌倒，就從哪裏爬起來，今次正是廉署挽回清譽，向公眾展示反貪腐決心、重建市民信心的良機。
廉署今次調查湯顯明刑責，能不能打大老虎，已不單是攸關部門聲譽的問題，「一國兩制」保證香港社會制度和生活方式不變，廉政和法治是防止香港內地化的基石，如果香港社會無法捍衞廉潔核心價值，「一國兩制」還能維持嗎？
“Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small. Though with patience he stands waiting, with exactness grinds he all.” The former Commissioner of Independent Commission Against Corruption （ICAC）, Timothy Tong Hin-ming, allegedly overspent from the public purse on receptions and gifts. This not only deals a heavy blow to Hong Kong's core value of anti-corruption, but also has a bad influence and arouses public indignation. The Department of Justice（DoJ） made a rare announcement , stating that ICAC would conduct a criminal investigation into the allegations. Since the establishment of ICAC 39 years ago, Timothy Tong is the first former Commissioner to be investigated by the graft-busting body itself. It is believed that Timothy Tong will have to face justice upon the completion of the investigation.
On the materials made available, the DoJ considers there is sufficient basis to warrant a criminal investigation into Timothy Tong for having possibly committed offences under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and the common law offence of “misconduct in public office”. With the change of government in the last year, the Commissioner of ICAC has already been replaced. In addition, the DoJ has also put forward stringent criteria for selecting the ICAC officers who will be responsible for conducting the investigation. They must not have participated in any of the functions or events personally organized by Timothy Tong, and have no direct or indirect association or connection with Tong. Such safeguards should be able to ensure a fair and just investigation. One must pick oneself up off the floor. This is a good opportunity for the ICAC to redeem its reputation, demonstrate its resolve to fight corruption and restore people's trust.
Whether the ICAC can catch the big fish this time is not just a matter of reputation for the anti-graft body. “One country two systems” has guaranteed that the Hong Kong social systems and lifestyles remain unchanged. Anti-corruption and the rule of law are the two cornerstones that prevent our city from being “Mainlandized”. If Hong Kong cannot defend its core value of probity, how can “one country two systems” be sustained?
重要生字
redeem one's reputation 重建清譽
arouse public indignation 掀起公憤
catch the big fish 打大老虎
