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Billionaire Kwoks Paid HK$35M In Bribes

Tara Loader Wilkinson

16 July 2012

Former chief secretary for administration of Hong Kong, Hui Si-yan Rafael, accepted more than HK$35 million (US$4.5 million) in bribes from the property magnate Kwok brothers, ruled the Independent Commission Against Corruption on Friday. 

Defendents Hui Rafael Junior, also known as Hui Si-yan, Rafael, ex-chief secretary and former managing director of the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority; Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong, and Raymond Kwok Ping-luen, both joint chairmen of Sun Hung Kai Properties, appeared in court along with Chan Kui-yuen, executive director of SHKP; and Francis Kwan Hung-sang, a businessman.

They faced eight charges - two of misconduct in public office and three of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, contrary to Common Law; two of conspiracy to offer advantages to a public servant, and one of furnishing false information.

Hui alone faced two misconduct charges, which alleged him of having wilfully misconducted himself by accepting the rent free use of two flats and three unsecured loans totalling HK$5.4 million from a subsidiary of SHKP. Hui and Thomas Kwok faced a joint charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, alleging that they conspired together for Hui as CS to accept HK$5 million from Thomas Kwok for remaining favourably disposed to him, according to a statement released by ICAC.

The offences allegedly took place between June 2000 and January 2009.

Hui was granted cash bail of HK$500,000, while Thomas Kwok and Raymond Kwok were each given a cash bail of HK$10 million. Chan was allowed cash bail of HK$5 million, while Kwan's bail was HK$200,000 cash. Hui and Kwan were also ordered not to leave Hong Kong.