Quality of life

Issues to be Explored:

What are the impacts of corruption on different aspects of the quality of lifein Hong Kong? Why isit important to maintain a clean society of rule of lawas assurance of quality of life?

Intended Learning Outcomes:

After completing the module, students should be able to:

  1. develop an understanding onpossible perspectives from which to measure the quality of life.

2.realisehow a clean society of rule of law is important to the good quality of life in Hong Kong.

3.establish positive values and contribute to the maintenance of a clean society of rule of law.

Target:

Secondary 4–5 students

Time Allocation:

2 periods (about 70 minutes)

Teaching Flow:

Learning Stages / Learning Activities / Reference
Materials / Duration
Warm-up Activities / Meaning of “Quality of Life”
  • Based on the discussion questions in the Worksheet (Annex 1a), teachers can invite students to share their views onthe meaning of quality of life.
  • Teachers make a summary of students’ discussion and explain that the measure of quality of life comprises a variety of aspects and perspectives.
  • Teachers can clarify concepts with reference to Annex 1b, highlighting that a clean society of rule of law is an important indicator of quality of life.
/ Meaning of “Quality of Life” –Worksheet and Reference Materials for Teachers
(Annex 1a & 1b) / 10minutes
Development / Impacts of corruption on the quality of life of society
  • Play the video “Blind Eye” (Announcement of Public Interest (API) produced by the ICAC)
  • Invite students to share views on the corruption scenes depicted in the video in terms of how they would impair the quality of life of society.
Hints for discussion: The video features the corruption scenes in the society by illustrating people’s illicit dealings such as offering bribes in return for advantages (e.g. the restaurant and office scenes) or privileges (e.g. the carpark scene). Corruption will jeopardise the interests of others and disrupt fairness and the rule of law in the society.
  • Play the video “Crocodile Consultant”(a drama episode on building management) and guide students to think about how the evils of corruptionwould impair the quality of life.

  • Divide students into groups for a role-play to explore howthe quality of life of Hong Kong people would be affected by corruption in building management.
/ Crocodile Consultant – Reference Materials for Teachers
(Annex 2)
Drama Scenario Cards and Reference Materials for Teachers
(Annex 3a & 3b)
Video Subtitles (Annex 4) / 50 minutes
Conclusion /
  • Clarify concepts and draw a conclusion with reference to the key points in Annex2.
  • Encourage students to establish positive values and contribute to the maintenance of a clean society of rule of law.
/ 10 minutes

Annex 1a

Meaning of“Quality of Life”

Worksheet

1. Take a look at the following conversation between two persons:

  • Which indicators do Michael and Steven use to measuretheir quality of life?

______

  • What other factors can affect the quality of life apart from money which brings material comforts?

______

2.Based on the indicators on quality of life which you considered in the above question, please classify them under the following five dimensions.

Social
Economic
Political
Environmental
Cultural

3. Discuss the following questions with your classmates:

  • Which of the abovedimensions or indicators do you find the most important? Why?

______

  • Do you consider a clean society of rule of law an important indicatorof quality of life? Why?

______

Annex 1b

Meaning of“Quality of Life”

Reference Materialsfor Teachers

Students are encouraged to express their views on quality of life. Possible perspectives from which to measure the quality of life and the related indicators are listed below for reference[1]:

Social /
  • The level of medical and health care
  • Access to education and its level
  • Equal opportunities
  • A clean society of rule of law

Economic /
  • Gross Domestic Product(GDP) per capita
  • Real wages
  • Unemployment rate
  • Disparity between the rich and poor

Political /
  • Human rights and rule of law
  • Freedom of the press
  • Performance of the Government

Environmental /
  • Level of pollution
  • Development of environmental protection and conservation

Cultural /
  • Diversity
  • Heritage

Teachers can conclude by drawing reference to the following points:

  • The measurement of quality of life comprises a variety of aspects whichmay include objective criteria (e.g. GDP per capita) and subjective judgement (e.g. individuals’ level of satisfaction).
  • While money and fortunes may help enhance the quality of life such as materialistic enjoyment, they may not carry direct social, political or cultural implications. It all depends on individuals’personal judgement and values in determining his/her own important indicators or perspectives on quality of life.

Annex 2

Crocodile Consultant

Reference Materials for Teachers

Sequence of Activities:

  1. Watch the drama “Crocodile Consultant”.
  • If time permits, arrangements can be made for students to watch the drama “Crocodile Consultant" (in Chinese, about 40 minutes) before the lessons (e.g. at lunch time or after school).
  • A shorter version of approximately 8 minutes (video subtitles in English are provided in Annex 4) is available for playing in class (the film is for non-profit-making teaching purposes only).

2. Based on the story of “Crocodile Consultant”, divide the students into groupsaccording to the scenarios on the scenario cards (Annex 3a). Each group can create a short playlastingno more than 3 minutes with re-invented plot and dialogues. Selected members of each group will perform the play. Teachers may refer toAnnex 3bandassist students in building the plot.

3. Through group role-playing, explore the impact of “corruption in building management” on the quality of life of occupants (owners and tenants), owners’ corporations andotherparties such asconstruction companies and construction consultants / professional sectors.

4. Sum up the mainideascontributed by each group, make clarifications and draw conclusions with reference to the following key points:

  • Though giving or taking bribes can satisfy people’s short-term material desires,corruption poses profound negative impacts on the quality of life of the whole communityon the social and economic aspects. Corruption erodes fairness and the rule of law, and in some cases, puts lives and property at risk.
  • Apart from the contributions made by different organisations to maintain or improve the quality of life, the ICAC’s anti-corruption work also plays an important role in the protection of quality of life and the rule of law in Hong Kong.

5. Encourage students to contribute to the maintenance of a clean society by, for instance,

  • establishing and upholding positive values such as probity and integrity in daily life,
  • respecting the rule of law and complying with relevant obligations,
  • reporting corruption, etc.

Annex 3a

Drama Scenario Cards

Through group role-playing, explore the impact of “corruption in building management” on the quality of life of:

  • occupants (owners and tenants)
  • owners’ corporations
  • construction companies
  • construction consultants / professional sectors

Instructions:

  • Based on the scenario provided, create a short play of no more than 3 minutes with re-invented plot and dialogues to be performed by selected members of your group.
  • Hint: Analyse how corruption affectsthe quality of life from the “economic” and “social / rule of law”perspectives.

Scenario Cards

Scenario 1
If you were an occupant (an owner ora tenant), how would corruption in building management affect you? / Scenario 2
If you were the Chairman of the owners’ corporation, how would corruption in building management affect you?
Scenario3
How would corruption in building management affect other construction companies? / Scenario4
If you were a construction consultant / professional, how would corruption in building management affect you?

Annex 3b

Drama Scenario Cards

(Reference Materials for Teachers)

Students can be guided to analyse how corruption affectsthe quality of life from the “economic” and “social / rule of law”perspectives. For example, how does the consultant’s short-term gain in the drama “Crocodile Consultant”affect other parties from the economic perspective? And what prices does the society have to pay?

Parties andtheir responsibilities / Points-to-note / Impactsonquality of life in different dimensions
Occupants (owners and tenants)
  • Apart from their wish to improve the living environment, occupants also want to maintain or enhance the quality of the building at reasonable expenses.
/ Economic dimension
  • Maintenance fees have been paid in vain asthe quality of building is not improved.
  • Occupants (owners and tenants) need to bear future maintenance costs.
Social / rule of law dimensions
  • Substandard maintenance works affect the quality of the building and directly threaten the safety of occupants.
  • The rights of residentsare not safeguarded.

Owners’ corporation
  • An owners’ corporation, which is a statutory body set up under Building Management Ordinance (BMO), manages the common parts of a building on behalf of all owners, such as passing resolutions on renovation, improvement or decoration works.
/ Economic dimension
  • Takingbribe for short-term illicit gain would erode the probity culture and affect Hong Kong’s economy in the long run.
Social /rule of law dimensions
  • The owners’ corporation fails to act in the interest of all owners or even fails to carry outitslegal responsibilities under BMO.

Construction company
  • The owners’ corporation selects a suitable construction company (contractor) with the assistance of a constructionconsultant.
  • The contractor should carry out renovation, improvement or decoration works in accordance with the specifications set out in the tender.
/ Economic dimension
  • Unfair competition deprives companies from getting business through proper way.
  • Dubious construction companies affect the businesses of proper construction companies.
Social / rule of law dimensions
  • Corruption undermines “fair competition” and destroys the level playing field of Hong Kong.
  • Corruption disturbs social order and perverts social justice.

Construction consultant / professional sector
  • Construction consultants are responsible for producing works designs, selecting construction companies, supervising works, coordinating various parties andensuring work quality until completion of the project.
/ Economic dimension
  • Lack of public confidence in professional sectorwill jeopardize the interests of the sectorin the long run.
  • Professional misconduct ruins the career prospects of individual professionals.
Social / rule of law dimensions
  • The professionals concerned have to shoulder legal liability.
  • Public confidence in open tendering and even the rule of law is affected.

Annex 4

Video Subtitles

“Crocodile Consultant” (8-minute version)

Characters:

  • SHUM (SHUM Wing-ching, Chairman of Owners’ Corporation)
  • LEUNG (LEUNG Pak-wah, ICAC investigator)
  • Kenny (CHOW Pak-kin, ICAC investigator)
  • LAU (LAU Tsz-chun, triad member)
  • WONG (Wong Keung, triad member)
  • Carmen (LEUNG Hang-ka, ICAC investigator)
  • Uncle Kau (contractor)
  • LAM (Dr. LAM, engineer consultant)
  • Madam(ICAC investigator)
  • LAU CC (LAU Chi-chiu, ICAC investigator)

Scene 1 (Inside a convenience shop)

SHUM： / Right, I’m shopping next door, will come back afterwards, you wait for a while, right, I know, in the shopping mall, alright.
(SHUM left the convenience shop; Kenny and LEUNG conducted the surveillance.)
LEUNG: / Do you know what you did could easily be spotted by the target? Now I’m talking to you.
Kenny: / Just now the students were really very noisy.
LEUNG: / The targets must not be alerted during surveillance under any circumstances. You wait for me here. (SHUM and LEUNG entered the shop.)
Shop Keeper: / This high definition TV is made in Japan. It’s better than the other brands. Just compare if you don’t believe it.
LAU: / It’s just $26,900.
WONG: / Take this one then!

Scene 2 (In the dining room)

Mrs SHUM: / You little one! Only watch TV without offering a hand.
SHUM’s Son: / The high definition TV is exceptionally good.
Mrs SHUM: / Watching…watching all day long, it’s dinner time. (Doorbell suddenly rang)
SHUM’s Son: / Dad?
SHUM’s Son / (Facing Mom): Mom
Mrs SHUM: / What’s up?
LEUNG: / We are from the ICAC. I am ICAC Senior Investigator LEUNG Pak-wah. Please open the door. We now have to come in for a search. This is the search warrant.
Mrs SHUM: / Hey, what’s the matter?
LEUNG: / They are Assistant Investigators CHOW Pak-kin and LEUNG Hang-ka. Kenny, you and Carmen take Mr. SHUM inside for the search.
Kenny: / Mr. SHUM…
(Search in progress)
Kenny: / Henry, it’s done. (At this moment, Kenny and Carmen came out with Mr. SHUM from the room.)
LEUNG: / Sorry boy, we have to take this TV away.
Carmen: / Mr. SHUM…

Scene 3 (Inside a café)

Uncle Kau: / How much this time?
LAM: / 20%!
Uncle Kau: / 20%?
LAM: / Also, it’s necessary to open a joint-name bank account. Each time after receiving the cheque, credit the account immediately. I’ll take my share directly from it.
Uncle Kau: / We normally paid 5%. Last time, you increased it to 10%. This time, you want 20% and a joint account. Are we going to get married?
LAM: / We’ve been doing it together for such a long time. I just want to make it more convenient for our future cooperation. We trust each other, right?
Uncle Kau: / Mate, I would be doing it for nothing with that 20%. Yes, we’ve been doing it together for a long time. You know I put in full effort every time.
LAM: / Of course I know that, otherwise, I won’t count you in. Construction costs can be high or low. I don’t have to teach you, right? Also, all the projects we work on are always big. It’s huge money! If you are not interested, then I’ll look for someone else. Under the current economy, many people would fight for it.
Uncle Kau: / I don’t mean that.
LAM: / You are not new to this game! Now you are depending on me, not the other way round. Let’s have good cooperation.

Scene 4 (ICAC conference room)

LEUNG: / According to the statement of SHUM Wing-ching, Chairman of Wing Ming Gardens Owners’ Corporation, these two persons were sent by Chin Wai Construction Co. to intimidate him. He said he had no choice but committed the crime. CHEUNG Chin-wai is the person in-charge of this company.
Madam: / We have the evidence from SHUM Wing-ching. It’s necessary to gather some other information to arrest the person-in-charge of Chin Wai Construction Co. Regarding CHEUNG Chin-wai and his associates, Kenny, you get the background information of all of them as soon as possible.
Kenny: / Yes Madam.
Madam: / Alright, let’s go!

Scene 5 (Maintenance building)

Uncle Kau: / Such a lousy job on this cement pasting. It cracks easily with a hit by hammer.
Worker 1: / Don’t be angry!
Uncle Kau: / How could you deliver such poor work…
Worker 2: / Uncle Kau…the cheque comes.
Uncle Kau: / Thank you!
Worker 2: / Sorry for being late.
(Uncle Kau calling LAM)
Uncle Kau: / Dr. LAM!
LAM: / How’s that? Have you received the cheque for the first interim payment?
Uncle Kau: / Just received. But I had problems with a batch of materials. Need to place an order with another company with much higher costs. I would like to …
LAM: / You want me to hold up my share?
Uncle Kau: / Yes…kind of!
LAM: / Next payment, be punctual to credit the account.
Uncle Kau: / Alright … thank you!

Scene 6 (Mahjongden)

LEUNG: / ICAC…
LAU CC: / I am ICAC Assistant Investigator LAU Chi-chiu. Mr. WONG Keung, you are suspected of having contravened the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. You have to come with us to assist the investigation.
LEUNG: / I am ICAC Senior Investigator LEUNG Pak-wah. Mr. LAU Tsz-chun, you are suspected of having contravened the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. You have to come with us to assist the investigation.
(Other ICAC officers conducting searches at different venues)

Scene 7 (Maintenance building)

(LAM was checking the bank account. He discovered that the balance in the bank account had not changed and immediately called Uncle Kau)
Foreman: / Enough? Check the materials in there, put them aside, understand?
Uncle Kau: / Big Bloke!
Big Bloke: / Uncle Kau!
Uncle Kau: / Have the materials ordered earlier arrived yet?
Voicemail: / Please leave your message after the tone.
LAM: / You have received the money for the second interim payment but you still haven’t banked in? Also, you don’t answer my call. What’s in your mind? I helped you out last time, remember? If you don’t credit the account for me within three days, I won’t make things easy for you.

Scene 8 (ICAC conference room)

Madam: / Concerning SHUM Wing-ching’s case, any updates after interviewing the suspects?
LEUNG: / The person-in-charge of Chin Wai Construction Co. CHEUNG Chin-wai has confessed that he engaged two triad members to intimidate and induce the owners’ corporation Chairman, i.e. SHUM Wing-ching, to award the maintenance contract to their company. Kenny, what about you?
Kenny: / I discovered there were problems with the accounting of this maintenance project. The amounts shown in records are different from the actual expenditures. The discrepancy amounted to $800,000. Take the first interim payment as an example. I’ve calculated the costs for all construction works, consultancyfee, other expenses, plus the TV and other advantages for bribing SHUM Wing-ching. There was still a difference of $200,000.
Madam: / Where do you think the money has gone to?
Kenny: / I suspect CHEUNG Chin-wai is still keeping us in the dark. The money should have gone to the engineering consultant.
Madam: / Did you notice recently that many old buildings in Hong Kong had to undergo maintenance projects as required by the law? These works involve millions of dollars so lots of people would have their eye on this lucrative area,not just construction companies,but also otherrelated people including consultants, chairmen and members of owners’ corporations. So Kenny, the consultant you have mentioned may be involved in that. You should follow this lead to see what can be revealed.
Kenny: / Yes Madam.

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