Timothy Tong Explained

Timothy Tong Hin-ming
Native Name Lang:zh-hk
Honorific-Suffix:GBS
Birth Date:12 July 1949
Office:Commissioner of the ICAC
Term Start:1 July 2007
Term End:30 June 2012
Predecessor:Fanny Law
Successor:Simon Peh
Office1:Commissioner of Customs and Excise
Term Start1:29 September 2003
Term End1:July 2007
Predecessor1:Raymond Wong
Successor1:Richard Yuen

Timothy Tong Hin-ming born 12 July 1949, is a former commissioner for the Independent Commission Against Corruption of Hong Kong. Prior to that, he was Commissioner of Customs and Excise for the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong.

Tong studied at Diocesan Boys' School for secondary education, and graduated from Chinese University of Hong Kong. He joined the Government of Hong Kong in November 1972[1] and served as an officer in the Executive Department and Trade and Industry Department. In April 1992, he joined the political branch of the government. In April 2005, he received a promotion into a senior position in Home Affairs Department and was reassigned in many executive position within the government departments. In January 1999, he served as Undersecretary for Security in Security Bureau of Hong Kong. In September 2003, Tong was appointed as Commissioner of Customs and Excise for the Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong. On 1 July 2007, he was appointed as Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Timothy Tong was serving under Regina Ip when he was the Undersecretary for Security in the Security Bureau of Hong Kong, and together they helped advocating the passage of Hong Kong Basic Law Article 23.[2] Tong's role in lobbying public support on the bill led to criticism on his violation of political neutrality.[3] Protests against this bill resulted in a massive demonstration on 1 July 2003. In the aftermath, two Executive Committee members resigned and the bill was withdrawn after it became clear that it would not get the necessary support from the Legislative Council for it to be passed. The bill was then shelved indefinitely.

In 2013, Tong became the subject of a special inquiry launched by Hong Kong's Legislative Council after serious allegations surfaced regarding gifts and other expense claims he made during his ICAC tenure.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mr Timothy Tong Hin-ming, Commissioner, Independent Commission Against Corruption. GovHK. 29 September 2010.
  2. Web site: National security bill details published. 29 September 2010.
  3. Cheung . Chor-yung . 2009 . Public Service Neutrality in Hong Kong: Problems and Prospects . Australian Journal of Public Administration . 68 . 1 . 22 . 0313-6647 . 10.1111/j.1467-8500.2009.00619.x .
  4. Web site: Former ICAC chief Timothy Tong admits buying liquor for guests. 19 October 2013.