Indonesia anti-corruption e-learning / Chinese anti-corruption model / Malaysia public complaint

Fighting corruption in Indonesia with Elearning.  KPK, in collaboration with the Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) and others joined the growing list national and political entities using eLearning for public education by launching their Anticorruption Academy, a free, open eLearning platform intended to help the general public identify and prevent corruption.

Henry Kronk/Elearning Inside: https://news.elearninginside.com/fighting-corruption-in-indonesia-with-elearning/

 

Govt urged to follow Chinese anti-corruption model.  The Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders (ICST) said the government should follow the Chinese anti-corruption model to eradicate corruption and pave way for rapid national development.

Saeed Ahmed/The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/371973-govt-urged-to-follow-chinese-anti-corruption-model

 

IPCMC in line with the government's move to combat corruption.  Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the cabinet had agreed to convert the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) into Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and the Public Complaints Bureau into Ombudsman Malaysia to ensure a more effective management of public complaints against enforcement authorities and government departments and agencies in Malaysia respectively.

New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/414104/ipcmc-line-governments-move-combat-corruption

Japan education ministry / Thailand construction transparency / State Audit Vietnam

Scandal-tainted ministry must regain discipline and public trust (Editorial).  “The ministry needs to ensure that the rules concerning officials’ contacts with interested parties will be observed strictly and re-examine the operations and responsibilities of each section to identify potential problems, if any, that could undermine the fairness of the administrative process.”

The Asahi Shimbun: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201809220031.html

 

Ministry looks to mandatory CoST scheme.  The Comptroller-General's Department is considering criteria that would include a minimum project value requiring the construction sector transparency initiative to be applied to state projects, the finance permanent secretary.

Wichit Chantanusornsiri/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1542610/ministry-looks-to-mandatory-cost-scheme

 

State Audit helps ensure corruption-free use of State budget: chief auditor (Interview).  “Some of the highlights in our works that have attracted public attention include investigations into the public-private partnership (PPP) mechanisms, the management of natural resources (minerals, specifically), auditing the value of the State-owned enterprises and assessing State-owned enterprises’ restructuring plans.”

Interview with Dr. Ho Duc Phoc, Auditor General/Viet Nam News: http://vietnamnews.vn/opinion/466038/state-audit-helps-ensure-corruption-free-use-of-state-budget-chief-auditor.html#M0l71G60243k2h7E.99

 

Myanmar transfers corrupted / Tackle inequality first / Climate finance governance

Lawmakers Call for End to Disciplinary Transfers of Corrupt, Incompetent Officials.  Lawmakers have criticized the unofficial but long-standing practice of transferring civil servants to border and ethnic areas of the country as a disciplinary measure, and called for an end to such practice under a federal Union system.
 

Htet Naing Zaw/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/lawmakers-call-end-disciplinary-transfers-corrupt-incompetent-officials.html

 

To tackle corruption, start with inequality (Commentary).  “To truly resolve public anxieties about corruption and corrupt officials, it is not enough to stage high-profile arrests and trials. We must first address the widespread belief that our society has grown increasingly polarized between the rich and the poor.”

 

Li Hui/Sixth Tone: https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1002938/to-tackle-corruption%2C-start-with-inequality

 

Raising standards in climate finance: a new approach (Blog).  “If you’d like to find out which shortcomings are enabling corruption in [climate] adaptation finance and if you want to adopt a framework to measure governance standards, then you must read our report on the pilot!”

Md Mahfuzul Haque/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/raising-standards-in-climate-finance-a-new-approach-5e1160b0312a

Thai corruption cost / Laos games canceled / Chinese TV industry

The cost of corruption: Bt100 billion.  Sungsidh Piriyarangsan, a respected academic, said his “cautious estimate” put the damages at between Bt50 billion and Bt100 billion (approx. 3 billion USD) for 2018 alone, based on the findings of 14 studies on corruption funded by the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC).

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30354747

 

Laos Sports Games Suspended Over Corruption Concerns.  The games, set to be held over a two-week period and drawing participants from around the country, have now been suspended until November 2019 by order of Prime Minister amid concerns over possible corruption in the awarding of contracts for construction in preparation for the event.

Radio Free Asia: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/laos/games-09182018143353.html

 

Chinese Director Guo Jingyu Exposes Corruption in Television Industry.  Corruption within China’s television industry, which sometimes takes the form of paying officials to “buy” good ratings for shows, was recently exposed by a well-known Chinese director.

Annie Wu/The Epoch Times: https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinese-director-guo-exposes-corruption-in-television-industry_2664328.html

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (22 September 2018): Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Nauru, Fiji

Inconvenient Realities: Climate Change And The South Pacific (Op-Ed).  Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, she said with soothing corruption, would be added to Australia’s Pacific Labour Scheme, nothing less than a traditional, extracting incentive for the Australian economy.

http://www.eurasiareview.com/20092018-inconvenient-realities-climate-change-and-the-south-pacific-oped/

 

SAMOA:

Samoa minster retracts statement about CEO's sacking. Samoa's Minister for Public Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Papalii Niko Lee Hang, has retracted his statement made to local media which claimed that the Ministry's CEO had been sacked.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366981/samoa-minster-retracts-statement-about-ceo-s-sacking

 

Chief executive of Samoa works ministry sacked. The minister said the basis of the termination was poor management and a breach of contract.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366770/chief-executive-of-samoa-works-ministry-sacked

 

VANUATU:

Former Vanuatu MPs granted bail.  Former Vanuatu MPs granted bail. Sebastien Harry, Paul Telukluk, Arnold Prasad and Jean-Yves Chabod were jailed in August for perverting the course of justice.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366823/former-vanuatu-mps-granted-bail

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

MP calls Solomons policy on extractive industries inadequate.  The Solomons Star reported Aoke MP Mathew Wale saying the longer the inadequacies remain, the more resources the country and landowners will lose.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366745/mp-calls-solomons-policy-on-extractive-industries-inadequate

 

NAURU:

Company linked to alleged bribery in Nauru received refugee housing contract. It's been revealed a company linked to the alleged bribery of officials in Nauru received a contract to build refugee housing on the island.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366727/company-linked-to-alleged-bribery-in-nauru-received-refugee-housing-contract

Australian businessman accused of bribing Nauru officials. An Australian businessman with extensive interests on Nauru has been charged with conspiring to bribe officials there.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366573/australian-businessman-accused-of-bribing-nauru-officials

 

FIJI:

Money Laundering Two Await High Court Fate. Three assessors in the case of two women charged with money laundering involving almost half a million dollars have returned a guilty opinion in the High Court in Suva.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/18/money-laundering-two-await-high-court-fate/

Temo dishes heavy sentence to former PTC duo. Two women who laundered $582,244.82 from Pacific Theological College in Suva were sentenced by the High Court in Suva today.

http://www.fijitimes.com/temo-dishes-out-heavy-sentence-to-former-ptc-duo/

 

 

Britain-Pakistan corruption fight / Thai duty-free case / Corruption in Mongolia

Britain, Pakistan to Join Efforts to Curb Corruption, Terror.  Britain's home secretary Sajid Javid says on a visit to Pakistan that the eradication of corruption is a priority for both countries and announced a new partnership between them that would strive for "justice and accountability.

VOA News: https://www.voanews.com/a/britain-pakistan-to-join-efforts-to-curb-corruption-terror/4574678.html

Bangkok - A Thai court Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit accusing duty-free giant King Power, the firm that owns Leicester City Football Club, of owing the state more than $430 million in unpaid revenues.  The complaint filed by an anti-graft official alleging that King Power executives, working with airport officials, paid a smaller share of revenues than was required to operate in Bangkok's busy terminals was thrown out by Bangkok’s Central Criminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases.

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30354735

 

Corruption in Mongolia: A Problem for Youth (Blog).  “[A]nnual Survey on Perceptions and Knowledge of Corruption (SPEAK) shows clear cause for concern about the experiences shaping the outlook of this critical youth demographic… most of Mongolia’s petty bribery takes place in public services such as health and education. In a multiyear average, at least a quarter of those who said they had paid a bribe reported that it was to teachers.”

Bayanmunkh Ariunbold/The Asia Foundation: https://asiafoundation.org/2018/09/12/corruption-in-mongolia-a-problem-for-youth/

Viet Nam corporate reporting / Myanmar corruption targets / Corrupt face research

Transparency in Corporate Reporting (Resource).  The report by Toward Transparency in Viet Nam investigates the extent of information published by the 45 largest companies on anti-corruption programme, organisation structure and key financial information.

Toward Transparency: https://towardstransparency.vn/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/TTs-BC-TRAC-2018-Trang-17-8-2018-EN-1.pdf

 

Panel says it’s targeting corruption, not specific people.  The Anti-Corruption Commission Myanmar is not targeting certain people or organizations but is focused on eliminating corruption because it causes poverty in Myanmar, the country’s chief graft buster said.

Chan Thar/Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/panel-says-its-targeting-corruption-not-specific-people.html

 

Corruption is hard to hide if you're a politician whose face is wide (Research).  The new Caltech study is the first to show that observers have a knack for picking out corrupt politicians based on just a portrait and that observers perceive politicians with wider faces as more corruptible.

California Institute of Technology/Science Daily: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180912144411.htm

Business integrity report / North Sumatra officials / Corruption throughout history

Business Integrity in High Tech Parks in Vietnam: A survey report (Resource).  The report provides a snapshot of bribery challenges faced by companies in the high-tech parks located in Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the measures put in place to mitigate these risks.

Towards Transparency Viet Nam: https://towardstransparency.vn/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018-TT-BI-HTP.pdf

 

North Sumatra has largest number of officials convicted of graft: BKN.  Based on the data that the National Civil Service Agency (BKN) examined from the Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Corrections Directorate General, it was found that of those 298 convicted in North Sumatra, eleven percent work for the provincial administration, while the rest work at the regency or city level.

The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/09/15/north-sumatra-has-largest-number-of-officials-convicted-of-graft-bkn.html

 

Corruption, throughout history and every country.  A quick rundown on corruption since the times of ancient Egypt to present day, concluding that “As the age of Homo corruptus continues, the best any country can do is to keep it to a minimum.”

Asit K. Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada/Asia Times: http://www.atimes.com/article/corruption-throughout-history-and-every-country/

Thai chemical regulation / China-Caribbean anti-graft cooperation / Yangon Attorney-General arrested

ACT accelerates its probe into chemicals.  The Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) submitted a letter demanding the Agriculture Ministry reveal the names and information on companies that are selling hazardous farm chemicals in the country, and more broadly, demanding improvement in transparency in government’s regulation of farm chemicals.

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1538846/act-accelerates-its-probe-into-chemicals

 

China to strengthen anti-graft cooperation with Caribbean countries.  “China has reached an important consensus on anti-graft law enforcement cooperation with 11 Caribbean countries, according to the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission”

Li Xia/Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/12/c_137463662.htm

 

Yangon Attorney General, Five Others Arrested for Corruption in Comedian’s Murder Case.  Myanmar’s Anti-Corruption Commission filed cases against the attorney general of Yangon Region and five other officials including a judge, law officers and a police officer for accepting more than 70 million kyats (nearly US$46,300) in cash and gifts, in exchange with dropping the case against three suspects in the murder of Facebook comedian Aung Yell Htwe.

San Yamin Aung/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/breaking-yangon-attorney-general-five-others-arrested-corruption-comedians-murder-case.html

Foreign bribery stays / Malaysia future vision / Sri Lanka ex-president's brother

Foreign Bribery Crackdowns Haven’t Dented Practice, Report Says.  “Efforts to crack down on foreign bribery have failed to stem the practice as a proportion of global trade, despite some high-profile anti-corruption cases, according to a report by Transparency International.”

Alan Katz/Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-11/foreign-bribery-enforcement-hasn-t-dented-practice-report-says?utm_source=google&utm_medium=bd&cmpId=google

 

Politician seen as Malaysia's future leader says his scandal-hit nation can become corruption-free.  “In an environment with credible agencies and efficient services to rid the county of graft — elements that will not only make business more efficient but also cheaper — incoming foreign investment is sure to rise,” Mr. Anwar Ibrahim said.

Nyshka Chandran/CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/anwar-ibrahim-malaysia-can-become-corruption-free.html

 

Brother of former Sri Lanka strongman indicted over fraud.  A brother of ex-president Mahinda Rajapakse was indicted on charges of siphoning off over US$250,000 in state funds to build a memorial for his parents by a Sri Lankan anti-corruption court.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/brother-of-former-sri-lanka-strongman-indicted-over-fraud-10702252

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (15 September 2018): Kirbati, Vanuatu, Fiji, PNG, Marshall Islands

EU fund targets fish laundering in the Pacific.  The European Union says its new funding agreement with marine agencies in the Pacific will help prevent fish laundering in the region.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366115/eu-fund-targets-fish-laundering-in-the-pacific

 

KIRIBATI:

Kiribati leaders to sign pledges on climate action and killing corruption.  Leaders at all levels of Kiribati society have been invited to publicly sign two pledges on climate action and fighting corruption at an event in Tarawa today.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365978/kiribati-leaders-to-sign-pledges-on-climate-action-and-killing-corruption

 

VANUATU:

Call for prosecution of those implicated in EU money scandal in Vanuatu.  Vanuatu MP Francois Sani has called on the Government to prosecute MPs, public servants and provincial administrators who have been implicated in an over $US2.5 million scandal.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365942/call-for-prosecution-of-those-implicated-in-eu-money-scandal-in-vanuatu

 

FIJI:

Fiji police officers sacked for involvement in drug trade. Fiji's Police Commissioner says some officers have been removed from the Force for their involvement in the drug trade.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/366259/fiji-police-officers-sacked-for-involvement-in-drug-trade

Man found guilty of giving false info to public servant. A man charged with one count of giving false information to a public servant and conversion has been found guilty by the Labasa Magistrates Court.

http://www.fijitimes.com/man-found-guilty-of-giving-false-info-to-public-servant/

 

PNG:

Accused cocaine runners ‘tried bribery’ on officials in PNG. A syndicate accused of conspiring to import 300kg of cocaine into Australia was involved in bribing or attempting to bribe public ­officials in Papua New Guinea, police allege.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/accused-cocaine-runners-tried-bribery-on-officials-in-png/news-story/dbf829429c9e77de1304966b929c0509

 

MARSHALL ISLANDS:

Marshall Islands warned against adopting digital currency. The Republic of the Marshall Islands has been warned against adopting a digital currency as a second form of legal tender.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-45485685

 

UN chief speech / Anti-corruption AI application / China anti-corruption analysis

UN chief calls for efforts to stem corruption.  UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Security Council for more efforts from member states to fight corruption, which is present in all countries, rich and poor, North and South, developed and developing.

Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-09/11/c_137459077.htm

 

The New Frontier: Using Artificial Intelligence To Help Fight Corruption (Blog).  “…a hybrid of human efforts and the transformative power of AI technology has the potential to enable compliance officers, governments, investigators, and others to unearth the truth hiding amid thickets of data, and in so doing empower both public and private sector actors to fight corruption more effectively.”

Helen Jiang/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/09/10/the-new-frontier-using-artificial-intelligence-to-help-fight-corruption/

 

China continues to sharpen its teeth against corruption: updates to China’s anti-corruption regime (Analysis).  “With the formation of new super agencies wielding a wide range of investigatory powers and charged with enforcing broader anti-bribery legislation under the Amended Anti-Unfair Competition Law, companies operating in China would be well-advised to remain vigilant in monitoring business operations and evaluating existing policies and procedures to reduce the risk of running afoul of Chinese anti-corruption regulations.”

Reed Smith LLP/Lexology: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=acc3338f-bb38-4de7-8a76-a31a51ae8b5b

KPK increases budget / Pakistan defence minister / Singapore returns funds

KPK Increases Budget to Handle Corruption Cases in 2019.  The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is set to increase the number of corruption cases it will handle in 2019 to 200 cases, which is a 100 percent increase from its initial plan.

Taufiq Siddiq/Tempo.co: https://en.tempo.co/read/news/2018/09/05/055921396/KPK-Increases-Budget-to-Handle-Corruption-Cases-in-2019

 

NAB approves corruption inquiry against Pakistan’s new defence minister.  The National Accountability Bureau has approved 14 inquiries against newly appointed Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durrani and others in different corruption cases.

Mahmood Idrees/Daily Pakistan: https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/pakistan/nab-approves-corruption-inquiry-against-pakistans-new-defence-minister/

 

Singapore recovers $11.1m linked to 1MDB Malaysia Fund.  A Singaporean court has ordered the return of 15.3 million Singapore dollars ($11.1 million) linked to the indebted 1MDB Malaysian state investment fund, to be transferred to a special 1MDB recovery bank account.

The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/singapore-recovers-111m-linked-to-1mdb-malaysia-fund/2018/09/10/489f4c3a-b4bb-11e8-ae4f-2c1439c96d79_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c62defb7f5ac

Sextortion under graft / Pakistan law amendment / Cambodia tax scrutiny

Seeking, taking sexual favour offence under anti-graft law.  Seeking and accepting sexual favours can be considered a bribe under India's new Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2018, with the accused getting up to seven years jail term.

The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/seeking-taking-sexual-favour-offence-under-anti-graft-law/articleshow/65746849.cms

 

Govt to amend accountability law to avoid harassment.  The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has decided to amend the accountability law in an attempt to keep a suitable check on corruption cases in order to avoid unnecessary harassment, after several multinational companies move to wrap up operations in Pakistan and file cases in international courts against corruption investigation initiated by the anti-corruption watchdog.

Zafar Bhutta/The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1797994/2-govt-amend-accountability-law-avoid-harassment/

 

GDT asks citizens to report corruption.  Cambodia’s General Department of Taxation (GDT) encouraged citizens and firms to file complaints against officials who demand additional money when collecting tax payments or fail to provide invoice with all information regarding the type of tax and amount paid.

Sum Manet/Khmer Times: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50530307/gdt-asks-citizens-to-report-corruption/

Indonesia convict salaries / Integrity Pact monitoring / Pakistan whistleblower reward

Govt spends $1.6 million per month to pay officials convicted of graft.  The National Civil Service Agency revealed that of the 2,674 civil servants that were convicted of corruption, 317 were dishonorably dismissed, meaning the remaining 2,357 are still active as civil servants and, therefore, still get a monthly salary.

The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/09/07/govt-spends-1-6-million-per-month-to-pay-officials-convicted-of-graft.html

 

Integrity Pacts: A Contractual Approach to Facilitate Civic Monitoring of Public Procurement (Blog).  “So long as [the Independent External Monitors] have a clear mandate, rights, and obligations, and the necessary expertise, they can ensure greater transparency and accountability in the procurement process.”

Helen Jiang/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/09/07/integrity-pacts-a-contractual-approach-to-facilitate-civic-monitoring-of-public-contracts/

 

Pakistan to expose corruption with whistle-blower policy.  The government has formed an ambitious taskforce comprising officials of the Federal Investigation Agency and National Accountability Bureau to enforce an anti-corruption rule that would offer a 20 per cent reward to informers who help recover ill-gotten wealth stashed abroad by fellow Pakistanis while keeping the informants’ names confidential.

Sana Jamal/Gulf News: https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-to-expose-corruption-with-whistle-blower-policy-1.2275282

KPK intensifies fight / Climate finance governance / Nepal open government

Indonesia’s Independent Corruption Fighters Intensify Their War.  Feared and hated by many elites in a country notorious for systemic corruption, KPK took on the major bribery case in city of Malang at a time when it is under political attack and potentially at risk of being curtailed by proposed wide-ranging changes to the criminal code.

Max Walden/VOA: https://www.voanews.com/a/indonesia-independent-corruption-fighters-intensify-their-war/4559990.html

 

Ensuring that climate funds reach those in need.  Based on the principles of transparency, accountability and participation, the Climate Adaptation Finance Governance standards can be applied to any climate project around the world.

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/ensuring_that_climate_funds_reach_those_in_need

 

Toward open governance (Commentary).  “These fresh and active [public officials serving their first terms in office] are ideal for catalyzing sustainable and effective mechanisms of accountability, anti-corruption, and reciprocal communication and information sharing between the local and central level.”

Narayan Adhikari/My Republica: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/toward-open-governance/

 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (8 September 2018): Nauru, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

NAURU:

Pacific leaders assert common values and strength. Pacific Leaders meeting in Nauru this week are expected to send a strong signal to new and emerging global powers entering the region to 'toe the line' on common issues that are dear to them - like climate change and ocean conservation and management.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365640/pacific-leaders-assert-common-values-and-strength

Corruption, incompetence and a musical: Nauru's cursed history.  A series of corrupt and incompetent governments found extravagant and spectacular ways to lose the country’s wealth, including, notoriously, funding a disastrous West End musical based on the life of Leonardo da Vinci.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/04/corruption-incompetence-and-a-musical-naurus-riches-to-rags-tale?CMP=twt_gu

Nauru: a nation in democratic freefall propped up by Australia. The Australian federal police has confirmed to Guardian Australia that an investigation into bribery allegations involving the president Baron Waqa, the justice minister David Adeang and a Gold Coast phosphate company, Getax, remains ongoing.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/03/nauru-a-nation-on-the-cusp-of-democratic-calamity

Morrison all gong and very little dinner at Pacific island summit. The bold rhetoric of recent months about Australia rediscovering Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands is looking hollow as the island leaders gather for their annual summit

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/morrison-all-gong-and-very-little-dinner-at-pacific-island-summit/news-story/2406310a6ac1b5fa221d0d4c63773b62

 

FIJI:

Father And Son Charged For Corruption.  A father and son appeared in the Lautoka Magistrates Court last Friday charged with various corruption-related offences.http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/03/father-and-son-charged-for-corruption/

Former Diplomat Charged.  A former employee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court today facing four (4) different corruption-related charges.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/31/former-diplomat-charged/

Former Fiji Public Trustee staff pleads guilty to 11 counts of corruption. A former Estate Officer for Fiji Public Trustee Corporation Limited appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this morning on corruption-related charges.

http://www.fijitimes.com/former-fiji-public-trustee-staff-pleads-guilty-to-11-counts-of-corruption/

High Rise Worry. Government is taking a proactive approach in ensuring all processes are followed in the construction of the 28-storey WG Friendship Plaza currently being built along McGregor Road in Suva.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/04/high-rise-worry/

Adi Narayan Wants To Focus On Good Governance, Youth And Women. Sodelpa provisional candidate, Adi Narayan, believes the party will deliver good governance and a corruption-free Government. Mr Narayan is a qualified accountant and hotelier having worked in the tourism industry for the past 20 years.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/09/03/adi-narayan-wants-to-focus-on-good-governance-youth-and-women/

Fijian woman yet to face court over human trafficking.  A woman wanted in Fiji is yet to return from Australia to face charges over trafficking workers from Fiji to New Zealand.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365701/fijian-woman-yet-to-face-court-over-human-trafficking

 

PNG:

Policemen arrested for armed robbery attempted murder.  The Metropolitan Commander said the arrest, detention and charging of these two policemen shows the Constabulary’s commitment in the fight against police abuse and corruption, which remains a concern to the government and citizens of Papua New Guinea.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/policemen-arrested-armed-robbery-attempted-murder-79296

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Stiffer penalities for election offences introduced in Solomons. The recently revised Electoral Act in the Solomon Islands has significantly increased penalties for election related offences.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365623/stiffer-penalities-for-election-offences-introduced-in-solomons

Commonwealth Acknowledges Solomon Government's Achievements.  Meanwhile, the Secretary General also congratulated the Prime Minister and his Government for passing the Anti-Corruption Bill, Whistle-Blowers Bill and the recent passing of the Electoral Reform Bill.

http://www.solomontimes.com/news/commonwealth-acknowledges-solomon-governments-achievements/8813

Awareness program kicks off in MOI.  “and the awareness talks will be conducted by TSI and SIDT mainly around issues of corruption, governance and TSI will make people aware of what and how the government is using and spending funds as well as misusing the funds as well how people can hold them accountable for such actions.”

http://www.sibconline.com.sb/awareness-program-kicks-off-in-moi/

Senior Agriculture officer arrested in latest Janus catch.  “Task force Janus officers arrested and interviewed a 45-year old man who is a public servant at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and charged him in relation to an offence of official corruption contrary to Section 91 (b) of the Solomon Islands Penal Code,” he said.

http://www.sibconline.com.sb/senior-agriculture-officer-arrested-in-latest-janus-catch/

More serious cyber crimes expected for Solomon Islands.  The challenges of Cyber Crime will be more acute for Solomon Islands as the country expects its first ever undersea cable by the end of next year.

http://www.sibconline.com.sb/more-serious-cyber-crimes-expected-for-solomon-islands/

 

 

Ex-HK official charged / Thai graft-busting student / TI Bangladesh report

Ex-Hong Kong deputy economic development secretary and Airport Authority boss charged with two counts of bribery over HK$510,000 property deal.  A former deputy secretary who is the husband of a high-ranking Hong Kong official was charged with bribery for allegedly accepting HK$510,000 (US$65,000) from a Macau ­businesswoman who is a sister-in-law of gaming tycoon Stanley Ho Hung-sun.

Christy Leung/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2162243/former-hong-kong-economic-development-minister-and

 

Graft-busting student recruited by anti-corruption office.  The 23-year-old university student who exposed nationwide embezzlement in the distribution of financial aid for the destitute has accepted the offer of a job at the Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission’s Khon Khaen office.

Chakkrapan Natanri/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1531694/graft-busting-student-recruited-by-anti-corruption-office

 

Bribing institutionalised in service sectors.  A survey by Transparency International Bangladesh found that around 76 per cent rural and 70 per cent urban people experienced law enforcers’ corruption while 68 per cent rural and 61 per cent urban people had to bribe Bangladesh Road Transport Authority officials to get legitimate services.

New Age Bangladesh: http://www.newagebd.net/article/49444/bribing-institutionalised-in-service-sectors

OGP Asia-Pacific Meeting / Conspiracy hurts anti-corruption / Chennai generator corruption

Open Government Partnership Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting 2018.  The meeting on 5-6 November 2018 in Seoul, Republic of Korea, will provide an opportunity for OGP members and non-members to share lived experiences and explore a path towards open government under the themes of promoting participatory democracy, improving governance for a better life for all, and renewing public trust through government innovation.

Registration is open now until 15 October 2018. 

Open Government Partnership: http://www.ogpkorea.com/main.asp

 

Crying conspiracy hurts the war on corruption (Opinion).  “Conspiracy claims tossed about without verification can hamper the fight against corruption because, if left unchallenged, future politicians will copy the practice.”

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30353471

 

How a power generator exposed rampant corruption in the Chennai Corporation.  “Thus, with a view to ensure the effective implementation of Anti Corruption Laws to control and minimise the corrupt and illegal activities in government offices, the court directed the commissioner of the Chennai Corporation to transfer all the 39 Officials presently serving in the Vigilance Cell, Greater Chennai, en masse within a period of four weeks."

The News Minute: https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-power-generator-exposed-rampant-corruption-chennai-corporation-87585

Thai funds saved / Malaysian spies probed / China punishes 5,101

ACT claims billions in state funds saved.  “The Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand (ACT) celebrated its 7th anniversary, with chairman Pramon Sutivong saying the organization has helped save 25.1 billion baht of state funds that could have been lost to corruption over the past seven years, crediting the success partly to the state procurement act of 2017 and the initiation of “integrity pacts” to ensure transparency and competition in government contracts.

Patpon Sabpaitoon/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1530674/act-claims-billions-in-state-funds-saved

 

Eight Malaysian former spies under probe for graft.  A group of former agents from Malaysia’s foreign intelligence agency, including its chief, are being investigated for alleged misappropriation of government funds, a senior Malaysian anti-graft official said.

Joseph Sipalan and Rozanna Latiff/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-corruption/eight-malaysian-former-spies-under-probe-for-graft-idUSKCN1LF0M8

 

China punishes 5,101 officials for violations in July.  China's top anti-graft body said they punished 5,101 officials for violating the Party's eight-point decision on improving official conduct in July, with awarding unauthorized allowance or bonus as the most common misdemeanor, followed by giving or accepting gifts and misuse of public vehicles.

Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/28/c_137425056.htm

Thai corruption survey / Corruption and #MeToo / Corruption lags economy

UTCC survey finds corruption ebbing.  According to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s biannual Corruption Situation Index survey, Thailand improved in the first half of the year, thanks in part to the government taking serious action with respect to the temple funds embezzlement scandal and irregularities in an embezzlement-hit welfare fund intended to help poor students.

Phusadee Arunmas/Bangkok Post:  https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/news/1523078/UTCC-survey-finds-corruption-ebbing#cxrecs_s

 

Corruption and Gender Inequality in the Age of #MeToo (Blog).  “Fatafta [Transparency International’s regional advisor] highlighted how the UNCAC views corruption through an economic lens and fails to address its human rights and gender components.”

Caroline Bettinger-Lopez, Rebecca Hughes and Rachel Vogelstein/Council on Foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/blog/corruption-and-gender-inequality-age-metoo

 

How tariffs and corruption can ruin a growing economy (Analysis).  According to a new analysis of five-plus decades of economic data and history, the most effective way to sabotage economic growth is often as easy as increasing tariffs and playing favorites among industries and companies – and corruption.

Andrew Van Dam/The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2018/08/28/how-tariffs-corruption-can-ruin-growing-economy/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.3291863c6f88

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (1 September 2018): Fiji, PNG

FIJI:

Ex-LTA Officer To Hear Ruling On September 14. The court ruling of a man charged with bribery, abuse of office and attempting to prevent justice, will be heard on September 21.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/ex-lta-officer-to-hear-ruling-on-september-14/

Forgeries Will Be Reported To Police, FICAC, TLTB Tells.  “At TLTB, we have found out that letters brought into our office which has signatures are signed on behalf of the person’s parents, siblings or cousins”

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/forgeries-will-be-reported-to-police-ficac-tltb-tells/

Lawyers Agree To Chand Trial Date. The trial of former Fiji National University Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand will take place from De­cember 3 to December 14, 2018.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/lawyers-agree-to-chand-trial-date/

Appeal granted against acquittal.  The High Court in Suva today granted an appeal by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption against a former police officer Sanita Laqenisiga.

http://www.fijitimes.com/appeal-granted-against-acquittal/

Money laundering trial begins in Suva.  The trial against two women who allegedly laundered over five hundred thousand dollars from Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva commenced before High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo today

http://www.fijitimes.com/money-laundering-trial-begins-in-suva/

Prosecution To Amend Information. Prosecution in a money laundering case involving two Cyprus nationals will amend the information within the next two weeks and file it in the High Court registry.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/29/prosecution-to-amend-information/

 

PNG:

Bougainville minister gets tough on corruption.  The Bougainville minister for administrative services, Robert Sawa, says about ten staff are facing charges after the discovery of apparent corruption in the public service.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365305/bougainville-minister-gets-tough-on-corruption

Police case against PNG's Prime Minister is closed.  The case related to state payments of around US$30 million to a law firm, Paraka Lawyers.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364839/police-case-against-png-s-prime-minister-is-closed

Criminal complaint filed against PNG Electoral Commissioner.  A Papua New Guinea MP has filed a criminal complaint against the Electoral Commissioner for alleged misdeeds in last year's general elections.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364807/criminal-complaint-filed-against-png-electoral-commissioner

 

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