Thomas Kwok Released From Prison, Vows To Do Good

Disgraced property tycoon Thomas Kwok has been released from prison after serving most of his five-year term for corruption.

On leaving Stanley Prison, Kwok thanked God for staying with him through tough times, and for his family and friends' support.

"Today I feel so excited. I couldn't sleep for so many nights, and I'm glad that I'm out.

"I'm glad that I'll be able to do something for the sake of society this time. Not just for the corporates, but for other interests as well."

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank God, Jesus. In these 40 months in the prison, he accompanied me through this path, which is tough, sometimes exhausting and worrying. During all these times, God supported me," Kwok said.

The former joint chairman of Sun Hung Kai Properties was convicted of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office in December 2014, for bribing the former chief secretary Rafael Hui.

Hui was jailed for seven and a half years for accepting payments totalling HK$8.5 million in 2005 via two middlemen. The money was in return for acting as Kwok's "eyes and ears" in the government.

The two middlemen – former Sun Hung Kai Properties director Thomas Chan and former stock exchange official Francis Kwan – were also convicted of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Thomas Kwok's brother Walter died in October after suffering a stroke. He was 68.