NewsBin - Global Anti-Corruption: January 2018

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Singapore crowdfunding code / OECD Global Forum / Financial secrecy index

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Code of practice aims to bring transparency to crowdfunding platforms. Online fundraising appeals have come under the spotlight recently after four major crowdfunding platforms in Singapore committed to adopt a new industry Code of Practice.

Rahimah Rashith/Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/code-of-practice-aims-to-bring-transparency-to-crowdfunding-platforms

OECD Global Forum. Registration is open for the 2018 OECD Global Anti-corruption & Integrity Forum - "Planet Integrity: Building a Fairer Society" - 27/28 March 2018.

Register here: http://oe.cd/IF2018

AP-INTACT shares this information strictly as a service to members. To apply or know more, visit the relevant link in the message. Please do not send your query or application to AP-INTACT. AP-INTACT is not responsible for the accuracy of the posted information, including links to web pages, and is not involved in any way in the selection practices and decisions of the sponsoring organisation.

Financial Secrecy Index. On Tuesday 30th January 2018, the Financial Secrecy Index will go LIVE at 18.00 CET on this site: https://www.financialsecrecyindex.com/

Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Donor talk / Corruption assessments / Mandatory asset declaration

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We Need To Talk About Donors (commentary). "When it comes to corruption, international donors easily become part of the problem."

Mark Pyman, Senior Fellow at the London Institute for Statecraft, and former Commissioner of the Afghanistan Joint Independent Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/01/11/we-need-to-talk-about-donors/

Assessing Corruption Assessments: TI's National Integrity System (commentary). "No matter the starting point, my sense is that many assessment methods have evolved into little more than compliance checklists (as they have with money laundering assessments)."

Rick Messick/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/01/17/assessing-corruption-assessments-tis-national-integrity-system/

Do Mandatory Asset Declarations Reduce Corruption? And If So, How? (commentary). "If we can assess not only the direct impact of asset declarations on corruption but also their role in forming norms that foster honest behavior among public officials, then we can have a clearer and more complete account of the effectiveness of asset declarations."

Ryan Balisacan/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/01/08/do-mandatory-asset-declarations-reduce-corruption-and-if-so-how/

Monday, January 29, 2018

Sri Lanka action plan / Singapore amendment / Singapore stronger laws

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Sri Lanka to set up a national action plan to eliminate bribery and corruption. An intellectual gathering to discuss setting up of an action plan for elimination of bribery and corruption, chaired by Secretary to the President, Austin Fernando was held at the Presidential Secretariat on January 18.

Colombo Page: http://www.colombopage.com/archive_18A/Jan18_1516296261CH.php

Singapore Expected to Introduce Deferred Prosecution Agreement Regime. Singapore Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam announced that the government is considering the inclusion of Deferred Prosecution Agreements in the latest round of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and Evidence Act.

The National Law Review: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/singapore-expected-to-introduce-deferred-prosecution-agreement-regime

Singapore needs stronger anti-bribery laws (opinion). "Singapore's biggest corruption scandal, involving Keppel Offshore & Marine, has shown up areas in the country's anti-bribery laws that could be strengthened to better deter graft offences overseas."

Grace Leong/Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/singapore-needs-stronger-anti-bribery-laws

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Myanmar legal reforms / China big data / Vietnam anti-graft crackdown

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Legal reforms to support Myanmar's anti-corruption battle. Following the appointment of a new Anti-Corruption Commission in November, attention is turning to the need for legal reform to ensure the commission's independence and protect whistleblowers.

Hein Ko Soe/Frontier Myanmar: https://frontiermyanmar.net/en/legal-reforms-to-support-myanmars-anti-corruption-battle

Chinese government develops big data to cast wider corruption net. In an interview with the website of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), Mei Hong, the vice president of the Beijing Institute of Technology and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, said that the application of big data as a tool for anti-corruption has a promising future.

Deng Xiaoci/Global Times: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1085893.shtml

Foreign Investors Will Take Heart in Vietnam's Anti-Graft Crackdown. Foreign investors in Vietnam will welcome a fairer, more predictable set of business practices as the government pursues the heads of local firms over corruption, analysts believe.

Ralph Jennings/Voice of America: https://www.voanews.com/a/vietnam-anti-graft-crackdown-foreign-investors/4214901.html

Friday, January 26, 2018

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (26 Jan 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

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These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government.

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FIJI:

FICAC wants time to file a response to the strike out application for Ganesh Chand. FICAC lawyer Joseph Work has sought time to file a response submission to the Defence strike out application in the case of former FNU Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand.

http://fijivillage.com/news/FICAC-wants-time-to-file-a-response-to-the-strike-out-application-for-Ganesh-Chand-92kr5s/

Woman to appear in court for allegedly bribing Immigration Officer. It is alleged that the woman offered $10,000 to an Immigration Officer to produce a Fijian Passport for an Asian National.

http://fijivillage.com/news/Woman-to-appear-in-court-for-allegedly-bribing-Immigration-Officer-s95r2k/

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Two in court after trying to smuggle cash. Two foreigners appeared before the Vanimo District Court in West Sepik on charges of attempting to smuggle K400,000 across the PNG-Indonesian border.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/two-court-trying-smuggle-cash/

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Murrays' case before court. The former permanent secretary for the Ministry of Infrastructure Development (MID) Henry Murray and his wife Rose are accused of defrauding the government of more than $1 million between April 2014 and May 201.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/19833-murrays-case-before-court-today

VANUATU:

Vanuatu wants to join Interpol. Foreign affairs minister Ralph Regenvanu said joining Interpol would allow the Financial Intelligence Unit to carry out better checks, particularly when people are seeking to buy citizenship.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/348805/vanuatu-wants-to-join-interpol

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Predicting corruption scandals / Iran banking / Solomon Islands media group

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Political corruption scandals may be predicted by network science. In a new study, researchers have demonstrated that it may be possible to predict who will play a role in future scandals by modeling current scandals using networks.

Lisa Zyga/phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2018-01-political-corruption-scandals-network-science.html

How Corruption and Cronyism in Banking Fueled Iran's Protests (opinion). "The International Monetary Fund warned last month that Iran's banks and lenders 'need urgent restructuring and recapitalization,' calling for write-downs of overvalued assets and a crackdown on loans to insiders. "

Thomas Erdbrink, David D. Kirkpatrick and Nilo Tabrizy/New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/20/world/middleeast/iran-protests-corruption-banks.html

Solomon Islands media group in transparency project. The Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) is involved in the Transparency and Accountability for the People of Solomon Islands Project (TAP), which is funded by the United Nations Development Programme.

For more information, please contact Hilda Lamani, MASI Chief Executive Officer (mailto:ceo@masi.sb)

Thank you to John Hyde, TAP consultant, for sharing this information.

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Singapore heist / Fiji corruption list / Cambodia Grab accord

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Multi-million dollar Shell oil heist in Singapore. Nine Singaporeans and two Vietnamese men were charged on Tuesday (Jan 9) over their alleged involvement in stealing fuel -- valued at S$2.4 million -- from Shell's Pulau Bukom refinery.

Vanessa Paige Chelvan/Channel News Asia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/shell-multi-million-dollar-oil-heist-pulau-bukom-9845126

Fiji corruption list. Abuse of office and bribery top the list of the most common corruption-related offences in Fiji, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) revealed.

Litia Cava/The Fiji Times Online: http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=429888

Ride-hailing app Grab signs MoU with Cambodia anti-corruption body. Ride-hailing giant Grab signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), agreeing to immediately report any future incidents of corruption or bribery to the state body.

Robin Spiess/The Phnom Penh Post: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/ride-hailing-app-grab-signs-mou-anti-corruption-body

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Asia-Pacific corruption fight / Vietnam-France accord / Thailand gift-giving

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Fighting corruption in Asia and the Pacific (commentary). "Little has been said about how women can be powerful agents of change in the fight against corruption—whether they are in leadership positions or as mere citizens and members of their local communities."

Dasho Neten Zangmo, former head of Bhutan's Anti-Corruption Commission/The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/fighting-corruption-asia-and-the-pacific-1520377

Vietnam, France shake hands in combating corruption. The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam and the French Anti-Corruption Agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in preventing and fighting corruption in Hanoi on January 15.

Vietnam Plus: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/vietnam-france-shake-hands-in-combating-corruption/124905.vnp

Thai anti-graft law aims to curb gifts. In the not-so-distant future, civil servants in Thailand might find themselves in a tight spot after the new Bill on conflict of interest is enacted.

Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/thai-anti-graft-law-aims-to-curb-gifts

Monday, January 22, 2018

Singapore company safeguards / Australia corruption cost / UN big data initiatives

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Safeguarding your company against corporate corruption overseas (commentary). "In a bid to keep bribery at bay, Singapore companies need to reassess three key areas - corporate culture, standard operating procedures and environment scanning."

Tan Chong Huat & Billy Huang/The Business Times: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion/safeguarding-your-company-against-corporate-corruption-overseas

Rising corruption costs Australia up to 4% of GDP, says think tank. Australia's slide down a global corruption ranking has cut the size of its economy by up to AUD$72.3bn (US$57bn), a Canberra think-tank has claimed.

Liz Heron/Global Government Forum: https://www.globalgovernmentforum.com/rising-corruption-costs-australia-4-gdp-says-think-tank/

A series of initiatives from the United Nations to enhance use of big data for driving sustainable development. The initiatives include a data literacy platform, a proposal for a 12-point plan on privacy and governance issues, a mapping software for monitoring progress on the SDGs and endorsement of a Federated system of open SDG Data Hubs.

Priyankar Bhunia/OpenGov: https://www.opengovasia.com/articles/a-series-of-initiatives-from-the-united-nations-to-enhance-use-of-big-data-for-driving-sustainable-development

Saturday, January 20, 2018

Maldives asset recovery / Asia corrupt practices / India road corruption

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Maldives looks to bring in asset recovery law. Maldives government is looking to bring in a separate legislation to recover embezzled state funds and assets, Attorney General (AG) Mohamed Anil announced.
AVAS: https://avas.mv/en/42936

Why Foreign Businesses Will Put Up With Some Corrupt Practices In Southeast Asia (commentary). Many businesses and investors new to the Southeast Asia region will learn that small-scale bribery can be a part of the business, but some executives find ways to minimize or evade the payments they are asked for from public officials.
Danielle Keeton-Olsen/Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daniellekeetonolsen/2018/01/12/why-foreign-businesses-will-put-up-with-some-corrupt-practices-in-southeast-asia/#595bece72fe3

Subtle corruption robbing Indian villagers of roads: study. Subtle corruption in India has increased the chances that roads meant to connect isolated areas to the rest of the country would never be built, even though the government had paid for them, a study has found.
India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in/pti-feed/story/subtle-corruption-robbing-indian-villagers-of-roads-study-1143159-2018-01-11

Friday, January 19, 2018

Thailand qualifications / War on media / Maldives penalty

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Concerns about qualifications of Thailand anti-corruption commissioners. Thailand's Constitution Drafting Commission has expressed concern about the qualifications of the National Anti-Corruption Commissioners, who have been spared as a result of the enactment of the new NACC bill, said National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai.

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30336107

Trump's 'war on media' reverberates in Asia (commentary). "Asia witnessed a particularly disturbing rollback in free expression last year amid escalating attacks on the media and harassment of journalists. "

Keith Richburg/Nikkei: https://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Keith-B.-Richburg/Trump-s-war-on-media-reverberates-in-Asia

Maldives to raise penalty for graft. The government is looking to amend the penal code to add a specific chapter for corruption, Attorney General (AG) Mohamed Anil said.

AVAS: https://avas.mv/en/42892

Thursday, January 18, 2018

Australia corruption cost / Vietnam public opinion / Global bribery

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Perceived public service corruption sapped $72.3b from GDP: Australia Institute. Perceived corruption in the public service may have wiped $72 billion from Australia's economy, as its standing in international government integrity rankings slipped over the last four years, a new report says.

Dough Dingwall/The Canberra Times; http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/perceived-public-service-corruption-sapped-723b-from-gdp-australia-institute-20180110-h0g3ca.html

Accountability in a one-party system: the task of gauging public opinion in Vietnam. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working with national partners in Vietnam to collect citizen feedback on the performance of local government in an annual survey, the Viet Nam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index, or 'PAPI' for short.

Democratic Audit UK: http://www.democraticaudit.com/2018/01/10/accountability-in-a-one-party-system-the-task-of-gauging-public-opinion-in-vietnam/

The rising global tide against bribery (commentary). "Companies with global operations must therefore be mindful that they are now operating in a world of high transparency and vigilance."

Vikram Khanna, associate editor/The Straits Times: http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/the-rising-global-tide-against-bribery

Singapore new unit / Indonesia reality check / Australia public servants

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Singapore forms new unit to boost fraud detection in SkillsFuture claims. The development comes after it was reported last month that SSG, which oversees the lifelong learning scheme, had been cheated of nearly $40 million - the biggest case of a government agency being defrauded to date.

Hariz Baharudin/The New Paper: http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/new-unit-boost-fraud-detection-skillsfuture-claims

Indonesia's anti-corruption drive needs a reality check (commentary). "It is high time to review Indonesia's anti-corruption drive given that longstanding concerns about Indonesia's corruption levels can dampen its business environment and foreign investment growth."

Kanti Pertiwi, lecturer at the University of Indonesia's faculty of business and economics and an honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne/Channel News Asia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/commentary-indonesia-s-anti-corruption-drive-needs-a-reality-9844898

Australian public servants report rise in corruption, prompting calls for federal watchdog. Survey reveals proportion who have witnessed corrupt behaviour – mostly cronyism and nepotism – has almost doubled in past three years

Christopher Knaus/The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/jan/10/public-servants-report-rise-in-corruption-prompting-calls-for-federal-watchdog

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Sri Lanka monetary law / China gov't-owned companies / India RTI promise

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Sri Lanka to enact new monetary law to prevent corruption at Central Bank following Bond Scam. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, in a special statement to the nation said that the government would adapt a new Monetary Law Act in the island country to avoid any malpractices in the Central Bank in the future.

MENAFN: http://menafn.com/1096305132/Sri-Lanka-to-enact-new-monetary-law-to-prevent-corruption-at-Central-Bank-following-Bond-Scam

China gov't-owned companies to set up first institutional compliance systems. Chinese state-owned enterprises are establishing institutional compliance systems for the first time, as regulators roll out new anti-bribery guidelines in the latest crackdown on corruption by President Xi Jinping.

Emily Feng/Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/0833413a-db2f-11e7-a039-c64b1c09b482

"Right to Information" or "Right to Intimidation"? The Unfulfilled Promise of India's Right to Information Act (RTI) (opinion). "Since 2005, over 60 activists have been killed, and hundreds of others have been assaulted or harassed, for filing RTI requests."

Harmann Singh/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/12/22/right-to-information-or-right-to-intimidation-the-unfulfilled-promise-of-indias-right-to-information-act-rti/

Monday, January 15, 2018

Philippines budget risks / Vietnam journalists / China withdrawal cap

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Getting into the 'action' (opinion). "Having to spend P1.1 trillion, equivalent to 6.3 percent of the country's GDP, this year alone is more than enough to make those less upright bureaucrats of [Philippine President Duterte's] government salivate and spend sleepless nights trying to find ways of cashing in on a percentage of any project."

Rey Gamboa/Philippine Star: http://www.philstar.com/business/2018/01/04/1774322/getting-action

Vietnam journalists honoured for anti-corruption efforts. A group of reporters from the Nhan Dan (People) newspaper and one from the Nguoi lam bao (The Journalists) magazine have won the top prizes at a national press contest promoting the fight against corruption and wastefulness in the country.

Vietnam Plus: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/journalists-honoured-for-anticorruption-efforts/124250.vnp

China's new Anti-corruption $15,000 Withdrawal Cap Could Benefit Tourism Stakeholders. The Chinese government has instituted a new annual limit on the amount of money that can be withdrawn from personal Chinese bank accounts overseas, set at $15,000 (100,000 yuan), in an attempt to curb money laundering, terrorism financing, and tax evasion.

Mason Hinsdale/Jing Travel: https://jingtravel.com/new-anti-corruption-15000-withdrawal-cap-benefit-tourism-stakeholders/

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Jakarta Principles revisit / Tax planning transparency / Afghanistan accountability controls

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Dispatches from the UNCAC Conference of States Parties, Part 1: Revisiting the Jakarta Principles of Anti-Corruption Agencies (commentary). "Last month's COSP panel on 'Revisiting the Jakarta Principles: Strengthening Anti-Corruption Agencies' Independence and Effectiveness' made a strong case for ACA's importance to the fight against corruption."

Matthew Stephenson/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/12/19/dispatches-from-the-uncac-conference-of-states-parties-part-1-revisiting-the-jakarta-principles-of-anti-corruption-agencies

Tax Planning in a World of Increased Transparency (commentary). " Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are facing an evolving international tax landscape with long-term implications for tax compliance, planning and controversy. "

Michael R. Louis & Cym H. Lowell, McDermott Will & Emery/The National Law Review: https://www.natlawreview.com/article/tax-planning-world-increased-transparency

Pentagon Watchdog Struggles to Teach Afghan Government Accountability Controls. Among the many reasons for the slow progress in stabilizing war-torn Afghanistan is poor communication between U.S. inspectors and the Kabul government on how U.S. support is tracked.

Charles S. Clark/Government Executive: http://www.govexec.com/oversight/2018/01/pentagon-watchdog-struggles-teach-afghan-government-accountability-controls/144933

Korea ODA taint / Taiwan bar reform / Pakistan offshore probe

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Korea's ODA project tainted by corruption scandal of ex-President Park: probe. Impeached President Park Geun-hye's close friend who was charged with meddling in state affairs had been illegitimately involved in designing South Korea's official development assistance program, a probe result showed

Yonhap/The Korea Herald: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171226000777

Taiwan authorities call for bar membership reform. Judges and prosecutors who have been charged with corruption or who lack the moral disposition to practice law should not be allowed to become attorneys, the Control Yuan's Committee on Judicial and Prison Administration Affairs said in a report published late last month.

Shih Hsiao-kuang and Sherry Hsiao/Taipei Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/01/02/2003685051

Government orders probe into 435 Pakistanis' offshore companies. Chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal ordered an immediate inquiry into the companies owned by 435 Pakistanis in the tax havens of Panama and British Virgin Islands.

The News International: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/261183-nab-orders-probe-into-435-pakistanis-offshore-companies

Friday, January 12, 2018

Hong Kong graft complaints / Thailand unmarried partners / Australia anti-corruption bills

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Graft complaints in Hong Kong's finance and insurance sectors up by 20 per cent, with 177 cases reported in 2017. Complaints of corruption in Hong Kong's finance and insurance sectors rose by almost 20 per cent to 177 in the first 11 months of 2017, the Independent Commission Against Corruption reported, even as it said that this did not point to a worsening problem.

Christy Leung/South China Morning Post: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2125075/graft-complaints-hong-kongs-finance-and-insurance-sectors

Thailand's anti-graft bill to target unmarried partners. The anti-graft organic bill expected to go before the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) last December 21, 2017 will require unmarried partners of political office-holders to declare their assets, chairman of the scrutiny committee Chatchawal Suksomjit said.

Mongkol Bangprapa/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1382011/anti-graft-bill-to-target-unmarried-partners

Australia: Whistleblowing and Foreign Bribery Bills introduced into Senate. The Australian Government has introduced two new Bills into the Senate on the last sitting week of 2017 that, if passed, will increase companies' corporate compliance requirements.

Georgie Farrant & Naomita Royan/Global Compliance News: https://globalcompliancenews.com/australia-whistleblowing-and-foreign-bribery-bills-senate-20171212/

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Malaysia biggest accomplices / Hong Kong training / Myanmar encouragement

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Illegal money changers 'biggest accomplices' of the corrupt, says Malaysia anti-graft agency. Illegal money changers, also known as underground bankers, are among the biggest accomplices in money laundering and graft activities, according to a senior officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

Free Malaysia Today: http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/01/02/macc-illegal-money-changers-biggest-accomplices-of-the-corrupt/

2018 Senior Executive Certificate in Institutional Integrity Management programme, 17-27 April, 2018. The 2018 Senior Executive Certificate in Institutional Integrity Management programme will be held in Hong Kong University from 17 – 27 April 2018 and it is now inviting applications from overseas anti-corruption or related organizations in both public and private sectors, as well as those who need to enhance their professional knowledge in the post of integrity/ethic manager.

To apply or know more, please visit this link: http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/senior-exe-cert-in-institutional-integrity-management

Thank you to Tony Kwok, Adjunct Professor & Hon Course Director, Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education, for sharing this information.

AP-INTACT shares this information strictly as a service to members. To apply or know more, visit the relevant link in the message. Please do not send your query or application to AP-INTACT. AP-INTACT is not responsible for the accuracy of the posted information, including links to web pages, and is not involved in any way in the selection practices and decisions of the sponsoring organisation.

Myanmar Anti-Corruption Commission Encourages Public to File Complaints. Members of the public can complain, but with clear evidence, about civil servants who are wealthier than their pay scale would warrant, said Anti-Corruption Commission spokesperson U Han Nyunt.

Htet Naing Zaw/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/anti-corruption-commission-encourages-public-file-complaints.html

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Pakistan accountability law / Hong Kong year-end review / Myanmar 2018 forum

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Pakistan SC judge backs accountability of judiciary, army. Justice Dost Muhammad Khan of the Supreme Court has said that he is a supporter of bringing the judges and generals under the accountability law.

Hasnaat Malik/The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1595435/1-sc-judge-backs-accountability-judiciary-army/

How Hong Kong is combating corruption: A year-end review. Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption continues to make strides in combating corruption on all fronts, according to Chow Chung-kong, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Corruption.

Jaclyn Jaeger/Compliance Week: https://www.complianceweek.com/blogs/global-glimpses/how-hong-kong-is-combating-corruption-a-year-end-review#.Wkrz42T1VFQ

Myanmar to hold 2018 symposium on anti-corruption. Myanmar will hold a symposium on anti-corruption in Yangon on Jan. 22-23, 2018, under the theme of "Promoting integrity to Counter Corruption," Myanmar News Agency reported.

Xinhuanet: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2017-12/28/c_136856968.htm

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Korea ODA taint / Taiwan bar reform / Pakistan offshore probe

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Yonhap/The Korea Herald: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171226000777

Shih Hsiao-kuang and Sherry Hsiao/Taipei Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2018/01/02/2003685051

The News International: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/261183-nab-orders-probe-into-435-pakistanis-offshore-companies

Monday, January 8, 2018

Indonesia justice institutions / Bangladesh ICT / Thailand top 10

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2017 Gloomy Year for Justice System, Indonesia Corruption Watch Says. The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) said 2017 has been the gloomiest year for bribery cases in justice institutions.

Tempo: https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2017/12/28/055914405/2017-Gloomy-Year-for-Justice-System-ICW-Says

ICT can drive away graft in Bangladesh. Corruption will be eliminated from the country if the information and communications technology is used properly, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said.

The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/frontpage/laurels-ict-heroes-1511392

Anticorruption advocacy group releases top 10 issues to watch in Thailand. Potential corruption by government cronies is on top of the watch list released by the Anti-Corruption of Thailand (ACT) group.

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30334924

Thailand anti-bribery guidelines / Assets recovery guidelines / Afghanistan education sector

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Video on Thailand anti-bribery guidelines for juristic persons. Thailand's National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) makes available a Quick Start Infographic Video to accompany its "Guidelines on Appropriate Internal Control Measures for Juristic Persons to Prevent Bribery of State Officials, Foreign Public Officials and Agents of Public International Organisations".

Quick Start Infographic Video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UJ_53rrzjqf8po_f7V-yX8FKSPHI1wAN/view

NACC Anti-Bribery guidelines: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4EqHTtPIUhbUmpKRmhOU2VCcWc/view

NACC Notification on Anti-Bribery Measures for Juristic Persons, published in Government Gazette on 15 December 2017 (in Thai): http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2560/A/125/11.PDF

Thank you to Ms. Orawan Phuwatharadol, International Affairs Officer, Bureau of International Affairs, Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) of the Kingdom of Thailand, for sharing this information.

Guidelines for the Efficient Recovery of Stolen Assets. The Practical Guidelines are a set of international good practices intended to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of requesting and requested states in the asset recovery process.

International Centre for Asset Recovery: https://guidelines.assetrecovery.org/

Tackling Corruption in Afghanistan's Education Sector (opinion). "A major new report from the Afghanistan Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (known as MEC), carried out at the request of the Minister of Education, evaluates the corruption vulnerabilities across the education system and how they need to be addressed."

Mark Pyman, Senior Fellow at the London Institute for Statecraft, who also served as Commissioner of the Afghanistan Joint Independent Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee until November 27, 2017/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/01/04/guest-post-tackling-corruption-in-afghanistans-education-sector/

Friday, January 5, 2018

Korea minister's vow / Nepal biggest case / Indonesia bad timing

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Korea Justice Minister vows efforts to root out corruption. Justice Minister Park Sang-ki promised Monday to continue efforts next year to fight corruption and address the wrongdoings of past governments.

Yonhap News Agency: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/12/31/0200000000AEN20171231000700315.html

Biggest corruption case in Nepal's history. On July 16, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed cases against three members of the Tax Settlement Commission (TSC) at the Special Court on the charge of embezzling Rs10.02 billion in what is the biggest corruption case in Nepal's history.

Prithvi Man Shrestha/The Kathmandu Post: http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-12-31/biggest-corruption-case-in-nepals-history.html

Indonesia Police to put on hold plan to set up own anti-corruption unit. A plan by Indonesia's National Police to establish a special anti-corruption unit has been put on hold indefinitely due to "bad timing," Police Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian said

Sheany/Jakarta Globe: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/bad-timing-forces-police-put-hold-plan-establish-anticorruption-unit/

Singapore corporate corruption / Myanmar public urged / Vietnam holiday gifts

Oil, bribes, politicians: what happened to 'clean' Singapore? Known for its stout anti-corruption ethos, the Lion City is reeling from its biggest corporate corruption scandal

Bhavan Jaipragas/South China Morning Post: http://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2126198/oil-bribes-politicians-what-happened-clean-singapore

Myanmar public urged to report corruption at latest peace talk. State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged the public not to be afraid to complain if they spot any wrongdoing by ministers and civil servants during her fifth public "peace talk" in Loikaw, the capital of Kayah State.

Nyein Nyein/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/public-urged-report-corruption-latest-peace-talk.html

Gov't leader refuses holiday gifts as Vietnam pledges tough corruption fight. Vietnam's government leader asked officials across the country not to come to Hanoi bearing gifts in the coming Lunar New Year, the biggest festival in Vietnam when bribes are usually offered in holiday wrappings.

VN Express: https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/gov-t-leader-refuses-holiday-gifts-as-vietnam-pledges-tough-corruption-fight-3691722.html

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Stolen asset database / New India think-tank / Afghanistan tonnage scales

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StAR Corruption Cases Database (Asset Recovery Watch & Settlements Database). The StAR Asset Recovery Watch database tracks efforts by prosecution authorities worldwide to go after assets that stem from corruption.

Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative/The World Bank & UNODC: https://star.worldbank.org/corruption-cases/

Economic Development Society will focus on war against corruption in India. Alarmed by the galloping corruption derailing development on all fronts, a large army of socially conscious educationists and entrepreneurs in India have come together to launch the Economic Development Society, a 'think-tank' promising efforts to force transparency in governance, with fighting corruption a top priority

Deccan Chronicle: https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/161217/economic-development-society-will-focus-on-war-against-corruption.html

Afghan Public Works Ministry to Close High Tonnage Scales on Roads. The control of high tonnage scales on Afghanistan's roads will be transferred to the Ministry of Finance in an effort to end corruption and embezzlement at freight weighing stations, a spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), Mahdi Rohani, said.

Zabiullah Jhanmal/TOLO News: http://www.tolonews.com/business/mopw-close-high-tonnage-scales-roads

ICC booklet launch / Pakistan social impediment / Australia new survey

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ICC booklet on financial investigations and asset recovery. "While the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "Court") does not have jurisdiction over financial crimes as such (e.g. money laundering or corruption), clear links exist between the mandate of the Court and the efforts of the international community to combat these crimes."

International Criminal Court: https://www.icc-cpi.int/iccdocs/other/Freezing_Assets_Eng_Web.pdf

Corruption termed major social impediment in Pakistan. Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said corruption was not just a moral hazard but a major hindrance in establishing a just, peaceful and prosperous society during his remarks at "United Against Corruption for a Just, Peaceful and Prosperous Pakistan", a seminar organised by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme.

Daily Times: https://dailytimes.com.pk/159199/corruption-termed-major-impediment-establishing-peaceful-prosperous-society/

Poll shows PM backing a winner on Australian national anti-corruption body. New polling results released by The Australia Institute show 88% of Australians now support a federal ICAC, increasing from 80% in March 2017 and 65% in March 2016.

The Australia Institute: http://www.tai.org.au/content/poll-shows-pm-backing-winner-national-anti-corruption-body

Thailand loyalty test / Philippine zip lane / Australia foreign bribery

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Loyalties of head of Thailand anti-graft agency to be put to test. National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) president Pol Gen Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit faces a tough test to prove he and the anti-graft agency will handle the case involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, his former boss, without fear or favour.

Nattaya Chetchotiros & Kornchanok Raksaseri/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1374691/watcharapols-loyalties-to-be-put-to-test

Need documents from the gov't? The Philippine Post Office's 'Zip Lane' is waiting. The 'Zip Lane,' based in Philippine Postal Corporation stations, can accept requests for and print documents from the National Bureau of Investigation, Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corp., and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration in less than an hour

Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/nation/190801-post-office-zip-lane-faster-government-transactions?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=nation

Reform of Australia's foreign bribery laws, and introduction of deferred prosecution agreements. On 6 December 2017, the Attorney General, Senator Brandis, introduced to the Senate the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Corporate Crime) Bill 2017, which introduces two significant, and previously foreshadowed, measures to address challenges associated with detecting and addressing serious corporate crime: Expanding foreign bribery offences; and, introducing a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) scheme for serious corporate crime.

Rani John & William Thompson/DLA Piper: https://www.dlapiper.com/en/us/insights/publications/2017/12/reform-of-australias-foreign-bribery-laws/

Sri Lanka perceptions / Hong Kong forum / Large whistleblower award

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Corruption and Complicity: Perceptions from across Sri Lanka. People from Jaffna, Ampara, Colombo, Deniyaya and Maskeliya were asked what the word "corruption" meant to them and whether they recognized their own complicity in corruption when, for instance, paying a bribe.

Groundviews -- Journalism for Citizens: http://groundviews.org/2017/12/15/corruption-and-complicity-perceptions-from-across-sri-lanka/

Asian Legal Business Hong Kong Anti-Corruption Forum 2018. This annual forum gathers legal experts, in-house compliance professionals and government leaders together to discuss pertinent issues, corruption investigations and enforcement trends across Hong Kong and the Greater China.

Asian Legal Business: http://www.legalbusinessonline.com/conferences/hk-anticorruption-2018

Large Whistleblower Award to Non U.S. Person -- Lessons for Anti-Corruption Compliance Programs. On December 5, 2017 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") awarded more than $4.1 million to a whistleblower -- a company insider who is a non-U.S. national working overseas -- for alerting the SEC to a multi-year securities fraud engaged in by his employer.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP - Aaron R. Hutman and Moushami P. Joshi/Lexology: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=60f0055f-9766-4f26-89bb-e97f96e1e37b