HONG KONG - More than 100 executives and artistes of TVB have been called for questioning to assist investigations into the alleged corruption of its general manager Stephen Chan Chi-wan.

Among those who gave their statements were executive Elaine Lok Yi-ling, TVB best actor Wayne Lai Yiu-cheung, actress Sharon Chan Man-chi and actor Steven Ma Chun-wai.

Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) summoned the artistes and management staff for questioning following the arrest of five people including Stephen on Thursday.

Others arrested were TVB business development chief Wilson Chan Wing-suen, variety department executive producer Wilson Chin Kwok-wai and actor Ning Jin; and an advertising company director Edthancy Tseng Pei-kun.

They were suspected of corruption involving HK$10mil (S$1.8mil).

They were released on bail about 40 hours later.

It is learnt ICAC was gathering clues on allegations that a shell company, purportedly set up by the suspects, had been milking TVB artistes.

It was reported that some top artistes such as Moses Chan Ho, Raymong Lam Fung and Charmaine Sheh See-man had been forced to perform in major shows and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for free or at very low fees.

Each time the shell company would allegedly receive payments on their behalf and pocket the difference.

It was learnt that artistes who attended the Jade Singers Celebrate TVB Anniversary 2009 were only paid a symbolic sum ranging from HK$100 (S$18) to a few hundred dollars while the production company collected a large sum of money, Sing Tao Daily reported.

Sources told the daily that ICAC was also focusing its investigations on major functions of TVB including its anniversary celebrations and Miss Macau pageant.

Meanwhile, TVB has also withdrawn the plan to air its drama series ICAC Investigators 2007, scheduled for March 18, to avoid embarrassment.