Online anti-corruption sparks debate
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The next day, a netizen posted "Eight questions for Director Zhou of Jiangning Real Estate Management Bureau," which was followed by "An invitation for netizens to investigate Zhou Jiugeng, head of Jiangning Real Estate Management Bureau." The Internet vigilantes, known as "human flesh search engine" in Chinese, set their aim on Zhou. This became a turning point in Zhou's life.
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The photo that exposed Zhou Jiugeng's luxurious life. |
Four days later, another netizen wrote a post, "What a cigarette! My praise to the bureau director, determined to punish those who are selling low-priced flats." In the post, the netizen commented, "I saw Director Zhou's photo accidentally online. After carefully looking at the picture, I discovered a secret. A carton of his cigarettes is worth three months' wages of a laid-off worker." The netizen marked on the photo: "This is the top-class cigarette of Nanjing Tobacco Company. A carton costs 1,500 yuan!"
Netizens' hot pursuit brought Zhou's luxurious lifestyle into the limelight. Some netizens recognized that Zhou's watch was a Vacheron Constantin, worth about 100,000 yuan, while some others said that Zhou drove a Cadillac to work every day. On December 17, a netizen revealed that Zhou's brother was a real estate developer and the strike on cheap flats was generally based on his brother's interests.
Netizens' opinions gradually mounted a strong pressure on local authorities, who then took a strong stance against Zhou.
On December 19, the Party committee of Jiangning District released a public notice: "Up to date, no punishment has been imposed on any real estate developer for lowering prices. Competent authorities have attached great importance to the Internet reports about his (Zhou Jiugeng) corruption, and investigation is underway. Severe punishment will be imposed on any breach of discipline or corrupt practice, according to the laws and regulations."
Nine days later, Zhou was fired by the Jiangning District Government. It happened only 18 days after his announcement of "punishing those selling flats below cost."
The following investigations proved netizens' accusations:
Zhou was convicted of accepting 1.07 million yuan and 110,000 Hong Kong dollars in bribes during the period of 2003 to 2008, when he assumed the posts of vice director of the Management Committee of the Economic and Technology Development Zone, director of the Civil Administration Bureau, and director of the Real Estate Management Bureau of Jiangning District. He was sentenced to jail for 11 years.
Before that, he had been expelled from the Communist Party and dismissed from public office for severe violation of disciplines.
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