Donor anti-corruption pressure / Malaysia reform plans / India CBI heads

Pressure to change: a new donor approach to anti-corruption? (Blog).  “This blog suggests that the role of incentives (and disincentives) has been underused. Incentivising elites away from corrupt practices (or disincentivising their prevailing behaviours) could be key. Donor programmes need to re-think their strategy, which also means working much more in conjunction with other levers available to their governments.”

Phil Mason/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/22/pressure/

 

Dr M outlines need for governance reform in delivering 11MP's mid-term report.  “The government revealed its plans for the second term of the 11th Malaysian Plan (11MP) for the year 2018 to 2020, putting emphasis on enhancing the resilience of the nation's economy and the well-being of the people, with the first step as reform of governance towards enhancing transparency and efficiency of public services.

Manirajan Ramasamy/New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/422463/dr-m-outlines-need-governance-reform-delivering-11mps-mid-term-report

 

The corruption scandal marring India's CBI.  The Indian government controversially removed the director and deputy director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), its main investigating agency, sparking a political row over the decision.

BBC: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45988193

Re-thinking corruption series / Thai ESG fund / Indonesia palm oil

Why re-think corruption? An introduction to the symposium (Blog series).  Increasingly, those engaged in tackling corruption – notably researchers, international financial organisations, civil society organisations and dedicated anticorruption agencies – have been calling for a ‘rethink’ of our approach, both in regard to how we understand corruption itself and also how we should go about addressing it.

Elizabeth Dávid-Barrett and Paul M. Heywood/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/22/615/

 

GPF launches environmentally and socially focused portfolio.  “Government Pension Fund (GPF), Thailand’s largest institutional investor, has launched an environment, social and governance (ESG)-focused portfolio to invest in Thailand-listed companies amid a worldwide equity sell-off.”

Wichit Chaitrong/The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/business/30357207

 

Indonesia’s anti-graft agency ‘eager to intervene’ in palm oil sector.  Many palm oil companies aren’t paying their taxes, and corruption in the licensing process for plantations is rife, according to the government’s Corruption Eradication Commission.

Philip Jacobson/Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2018/10/indonesias-anti-graft-agency-eager-to-intervene-in-palm-oil-sector/

 

Uniting against corruption / India land corruption / China responsibilities overseas

Uniting against corruption (Blog).  “Many member states are now in the process of localizing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which acknowledges that fighting corruption is not only crucial for building peaceful, just and inclusive societies, it is also one of the conditions for accelerating progress towards the achievement of all Sustainable Development Goals.”

Anga Tamilsina/United Nations Development Programme: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2018/uniting-against-corruption.html

 

Maha official gets 3 years in jail in Rs 5 lakh bribery case.  A special anti-corruption court sentenced an assistant charity commissioner to three years in jail for taking a bribe of Rs 5 lakh (approx. 68,000 USD) to pass a favourable order over a disputed piece of land.

Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/maha-official-gets-3-years-in-jail-in-rs-5-lakh-bribery-case-118102201275_1.html

 

Time for China to step up to global anti-corruption responsibilities (Blog).  “According to the information available, there have been no investigations or charges ever laid in China against its companies, citizens or residents for foreign corrupt practices.”

Gillian Dell/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/time-for-china-to-step-up-to-global-anti-corruption-responsibilities-fffb80d565be

 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (27 October 2018): Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Tonga, Solomon Islands

Strong Pacific youth voice needs to be heard on integrity. Given the fact that 60 percent of Pacific people are youth, involving young people in the fight against corruption is essential, says a Solomon Islands youth representative at the 18^th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC)

http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2018/strong-pacific-youth-voice-needs-to-be-heard-on-integrity.html

 

FIJI:

Bankers told to be alert: Buksh.  Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Razim Buskh yesterday reminded bankers and lawyers at Fiji Institute of Bankers workshop of their role as money laundering gatekeepers.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/19/bankers-told-to-be-alert-buksh/

Fiji political parties told to keep campaigning clean. "Political parties need to show and demonstrate that they are taking ownership of these important protections for the voter and by developing their own codes of conduct, developing their own rules of procedure around discipline."

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018667867/fiji-political-parties-told-to-keep-campaigning-clean

FICAC warning. The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has warned the public, political parties and their candidates that they will come down hard on anyone found to have breached any campaign rules under the Electoral Act.

https://www.fijitimes.com/ficac-warning/

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu judge sees more accountability in public office. A Vanuatu judge says as a result of recent court rulings, public office holders are learning that they must be accountable.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/369166/vanuatu-judge-sees-more-accountability-in-public-office

MPs' convictions set a standard in Vanuatu. A Vanuatu judge says as a result of recent court rulings, public office holders are learning that they must be accountable.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018667849/mps-convictions-set-a-standard-in-vanuatu

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Loggers in PNG accused of tax evasion. Papua New Guinea's civil society organisations say the logging industry is robbing the country of hundreds of millions of kina every year.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018667060/loggers-in-png-accused-of-tax-evasion

How China Can Help Save Papua New Guinea’s Forests. The PNG forest sector has long been marked by corruption and illegality, making the timber we produce considered “high risk” by independent international groups that monitor this.

https://thediplomat.com/2018/10/how-china-can-help-save-papua-new-guineas-forests/

 

TONGA:

Two more charged over Tonga's Lavulavu fraud case. Two more people have been charged in the fraud case against a former Tongan minister of Internal Affairs 'Akosita Lavulavu, and her husband, also a former cabinet minister, 'Etuate Lavulavu.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/369355/two-more-charged-over-tonga-s-lavulavu-fraud-case

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

MASI aims to develop regional journalism with USP boost. Kadaman, a senior journalist with the Solomon Star daily newspaper, says past collaboration with USP Journalism has been successful, including a recent week-long training on anti-corruption reporting in the Solomon Islands.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/10/24/masi-aims-to-develop-regional-journalism-with-usp-boost/

China’s Timber Demand Is Destroying Forests in South Pacific Countries. Global Witness’s investigation concluded that there’s a significant amount of illegal logging happening in the Solomons. Some logging companies cut down trees outside of their allocated areas, while others take protected or vulnerable tree species that are protected under UN conventions.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinas-timber-demand-is-destroying-forests-in-south-pacific-countries_2697121.html

MMF: Stop becoming dependent.  Mr. Housanau said the influx of Bangladesh coming in and other foreigners enjoying themselves doing all kind of businesses in the country are just simple indicators.  He said corruption at the highest level is also a contributing factor which affects all sectors of life including access to basic infrastructures.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21029-mmf-stop-becoming-dependent

Anti-corruption technologies / Maldives opposition leader / Tackling procurement corruption

New technologies are a powerful tool to tackle corruption (News release).  Corruption threatens progress and peace, particularly for the poorest but new technologies can be used as a powerful tool to tackle it, said Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator at the IACC in Copenhagen.

United Nations Development Programme: http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/news-centre/news/2018/-undp--new-technologies-are-a-powerful-tool-to-tackle-corruption.html

 

Maldives Court Frees Opposition Leader Convicted of Bribery.  The High Court, in hearing an appeal by the opposition leader Qasim Ibrahim, said that there were procedural violations by the Criminal Court in convicting him.

VOA News:https://www.voanews.com/a/maldives-court-frees-opposition-leader-convicted-of-bribery/4623599.html

 

Why talking about procurement should be at the top of the agenda when talking about corruption (Blog).  Governments can play their role as a market regulator and as a buyer to create normative shifts around ethical supply chains and diverse suppliers.

Coby Jones, Georg Neumann, Hera Hussain/Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/why-talking-about-procurement-should-be-top-of-agenda-when-talking-about-corruption

 

Public sector excellence / Aid corruption risks / Nepal's fake poor

Good Practices in Public Sector Excellence to Prevent Corruption (Resource).  The report features: Section I an introduction to the study; Sections II and III the conceptual framework of public sector excellence and the prevention of corruption; Section IV the linkages between public sector excellence and the prevention of corruption; Section V the major findings from case studies and recommendations from the good practices; Section VI the 18 case studies sorted by the six thematic areas.

United Nations Development Programme: http://www.anti-corruption.org/2018/10/17/good-practices-in-public-sector-excellence-to-prevent-corruption/

 

International aid and development finance, corruption risks and the need for more transparency (Blog).  “Considering aid and corruption in the international development space therefore requires going beyond looking at ‘how much is lost’ and encourages us to ask instead: do we know where, how and for what purpose aid and development money was spent?”

Elise Dufief/Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/international-aid-and-development-finance-corruption-risks-and-need-more-transparency

 

Nepal’s fake poor.  The Poor Household Identity Cards Program was designed as a social safety net for the poorest in the most isolated parts of Nepal, but it has been hijacked by local movers and shakers in Bajura district who have inserted their names into the list of beneficiaries.

Nimendra Shahi/Nepali Times: https://www.nepalitimes.com/banner/nepals-fake-poor/?fbclid=IwAR29ez0ZvxNLImV3GHD_9C2J_-ToKEgpt8mJ-nogXQXa8wwVOD7xbuQGmyk

Hong Kong policeman jailed / Corruption, inequality, poverty / Japanese train collusion

Senior Hong Kong policeman jailed for 28 months for pocketing HK$570,000 in bribes.  A Hong Kong police superintendent who admitted to pocketing HK$570,000 (US$72,700) in bribes was sentenced to 28 months in jail, as the judge slammed the senior officer for neglecting his role as a law enforcer.

Sum Lok-kei/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2169103/senior-hong-kong-policeman-jailed-28-months-hk570000

 

A tax on the poor to benefit the rich: Corruption and Inequality (Blog).  “Arguably the greatest impact on inequality and poverty is ‘grand corruption’, the large-scale looting of state resources and organised influence of state actions by elites.”

Max Lawson/Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/tax-on-poor-benefit-rich-corruption-and-inequality

 

Japan firms fined $3.4M over train bidding corruption.  Two major construction companies were ordered to pay fines more than $3 million for colluding to win contracts on Japan’s multi-billion-dollar maglev project that expected to begin commercial service in 2027.

Politiko: http://politics.com.ph/japan-firms-fined-3-4m-over-train-bidding-corruption/

China-Pakistan anti-corruption cooperation / Indonesia projects bribery / Malaysia on corruption

China to help Pakistan curb corruption.  The Chinese Minister of International Development assured PM Khan of China’s support and cooperation to successfully implement the agenda of fighting corruption, alleviating poverty and developing agriculture.

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir/The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/381328-china-to-help-pakistan-curb-corruption

 

Bribery Probe Hurts One of Southeast Asia's Biggest Projects.  “The home of Lippo Group’s Deputy Chairman James Riady was searched by anti-graft officials, the latest development in a bribery probe that has entangled one of Indonesia’s leading business conglomerates and thrown into doubt the future of a major development project touted as the “Shenzhen of Indonesia.”

Harry Suhartono and David Yong/Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-17/arrests-leave-one-of-southeast-asia-s-biggest-projects-in-limbo

 

Corruption now a thing of the past in Malaysia, says Mahathir.  The Prime Minister also noted that the government needed to ensure that strong evidence was obtained before bringing any corruption case involving politicians or non-politicians to court.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/corruption-malaysia-thing-of-the-past-mahathir-mohamad-10850716

Building peaceful world / Irrawaddy funds return / China anti-corruption analysis

Building a peaceful and safer world through collective action in the fight against corruption (Blog).  “This will focus on setting ambitious objectives to tackle corruption together, including promoting beneficial ownership transparency, including the possibility of establishing public registries; and making sure that published contracting data and documents meet global best practices.”

Delia Ferreira, Mari Kiviniemi, Sanjay Pradan and Ulla Tornaes/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/building-a-peaceful-and-safer-world-through-collective-action-in-the-fight-against-corruption-84523edc8982

 

Irrawaddy Govt Tells Ex-Chief Minister to Return Over $3 M in Development Funds.  The Irrawaddy Region government has warned its former chief minister to return within two months the 5.2 billion kyats ($3.28 million) he collected in regional development funds but had so far failed to hand over to new government – otherwise he will face a lawsuit.

Salai Thant Zin/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/irrawaddy-govt-tells-ex-chief-minister-return-3-m-development-funds.html

 

China lays down the law in corruption clampdown (Analysis).  “Once the National Supervisory Commission launches an investigation, legal counsel will not be allowed,” Qin Qianhong, a professor of law at Wuhan University, said. “This means that suspects are not only denied access to a lawyer during the liuzhi [early] phase but throughout the whole operational process where the Supervisory Commission is involved,”

Gordon Watts/Asia Times: http://www.atimes.com/article/china-lays-down-the-law-in-corruption-clampdown/

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (20 October 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

Passports a ticket to corruption in the Pacific Islands.  Since the early 1980s, Pacific island countries have sold passports to foreigners. Vanuatu is the most prominent supplier today. Passport sales in the first half of 2018 brought the country about US$39.3 million — 9 per cent of GDP.

http://www.eastasiaforum.org/2018/10/13/passports-a-ticket-to-corruption-in-the-pacific-islands/

 FIJI:

Ex-School Manager Pleads Not Guilty To Corruption Charge.  A not guilty plea was entered in the Labasa Magistrates Court on October 8 by a former school manager charged with corruption.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/13/ex-school-manager-pleads-not-guilty-to-corruption-charge/

Father and son deny corruption charges.  A father and son have pleaded not guilty to corruption-related offences before Lautoka Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena.

https://www.fijitimes.com/father-and-son-deny-corruption-charges/

Ex-civil servant pleads not guilty to corruption-related offences.  A former Ministry of Foreign Affairs employee facing corruption-related offences pleaded not guilty at the Suva Magistrates Court before Magistrate Liyanage Wickramasekara.

https://www.fijitimes.com/ex-civil-servant-pleads-not-guilty-to-corruption-related-offences/

PNG:

Degree of corruption disgusting.  As a Member of Parliament and being on the inside, I can tell you that the degree of corruption is disgusting, says Madang MP Bryan Kramer.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/degree-corruption-%E2%80%98disgusting%E2%80%99-80153

Pacific links: PNG, the fast and the furious, more.  In preparation for APEC, Papua New Guinea has imported 40 Maseratis and other luxury cars to transport foreign delegates during the forum. PNG government says cars will be on-sold to “private sector”, and not everyone is happy.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-links-png-fast-and-furious-more

Transparency on APEC vehicles’ procurement demanded. The only way to stop allegations of corruption is to be honest and transparent in procurement process says Transparency International PNG (TIPNG)

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/transparency-apec-vehicles%E2%80%99-procurement-demanded-80220

Transparency International calls for full report on cars.  Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is calling for the Government and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Authority to publicly disclose the total cost involved in the purchase of the luxury vehicles and to demonstrate their compliance with public procurement processes.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/transparency-international-calls-for-full-report-on-cars/

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islander gets three years for fraud.  A thirty-two-year-old mother of four has now been sentenced to three years imprisonment after she was found guilty of obtaining a total of K39,000 from four different victims under false pretenses.

https://postcourier.com.pg/solomon-islander-gets-three-years-fraud/

Paradise Lost: New Report Reveals China’s Destructive, Illegal Logging of Solomon Islands’ Rainforest.  New evidence released today by anti-corruption NGO Global Witness shows that hugely unsustainable rates of logging and the high risk of illegal practices on the once pristine paradise of the Solomon Islands are putting China’s reputation as a global trading partner at risk.

https://yubanet.com/world/paradise-lost-new-report-reveals-chinas-destructive-illegal-logging-of-solomon-islands-rainforest/

Korean Air chief / China generals expelled / Indonesia seizes bribes

Korean Air chief indicted on embezzlement, other charges: prosecutors.  Korean Air Lines Chairman Cho Yang-ho was indicted on Monday on charges including embezzlement and breach of trust, South Korean prosecutors said, adding to a string of woes at the country’s biggest airline group.

Heekyong Yang/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-korean-air-probe/korean-air-chief-indicted-on-embezzlement-other-charges-prosecutors-idUSKCN1MP0GS

 

China expels two top former generals from Communist Party for corruption.  China expelled two disgraced former generals, Fang Fenghui and Zhang Yang from the Communist Party for corruption – the latter posthumously - saying the pair’s disloyalty and greed had damaged the military, according to the state media.

Philip Wen/Reuters:https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-corruption-military/china-expels-two-top-former-generals-from-communist-party-for-corruption-idUSKCN1MQ1HC

 

$90k worth of Singapore currency seized in Indonesia's latest corruption raid.  KPK seized roughly 102,000 USD in cash which is allegedly just a small portion of a 13 billion rupiah commitment fee that the private company promised to give rogue high-ranking local bureaucrats in Bekasi, a satellite town of Jakarta, to “smooth out” a process to get relevant permits for Lippo's Meikarta property project.

Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja/The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/90k-worth-of-singaporean-currency-seized-in-indonesias-latest-corruption-raid

Thai disability funds / Yangon funds probe / Sri Lanka amendment demands

Kalasin woman a victim of corruption in fund for disabled people.  Ratree Khamuntha, 66, was among many victims of alleged irregularities in the project for people with disability in Kalasin, Thailand whereby people were told to open bank accounts and place their ATM cards and bank books under the care of the project staff in exchange for Bt2,000-Bt4,000 in monthly allowance, not knowing there we entitled to Bt9,125 (USD280)

Jakkapong Rawiwan/The Nation:http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30356416

 

Anti-Corruption Commission to Review Complaint Calling for Investigation of Losses of Public Funds.  The findings of the auditor general’s report on the Yangon government’s budget for the 2016-17 fiscal year—submitted to the parliament in September—has not only stoked heated discussions among lawmakers in the parliament, but also attracted much public attention to the huge loss of public funds, including through the leasing of state land and buildings to private companies at rates well below standard commercial rents.

San Yamin Aung/The Irrawaddy:https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/anti-corruption-commission-review-complaint-calling-investigation-losses-public-funds.html

 

Wijeyadasa stresses need for stronger laws to battle bribery and corruption.  “The current laws only cover bribery and corruption in the public sector. But we know there is bribery and corruption thriving in the private sector as well. We need to bring in new laws to curb bribery and corruption in the private sector. We don’t have a law in reference to bribing in the guise of giving gifts or presents. There is no law on conflicts of interest or bribing foreign dealers. We need to bring in new laws covering all these sections." Higher Education and Cultural Affairs Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said.

Saman Indrajith/The Island:http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=192629

Sri Lanka single bill / China ex-Interpol case / Pakistan-China-UAE anti-laundering agreement

Single legal instrument to combat corruption.  The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Legal Affairs (anti-corruption) and Media has agreed to consolidate all laws relating to bribery and corruption, and to formulate a comprehensive single piece of legislation that will encompass all offenses and standards according to the UNCAC, hopefully by early next year.

Anurangi Singh/Sunday Observer: http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/10/14/news/single-legal-instrument-combat-corruption

 

China’s detention of ex-Interpol chief highlights the arrogance of its anti-corruption investigators (Opinion).  “Chinese officials may believe their domestic considerations trump international concerns, but the universally negative international reaction to the way Meng’s detention was handled and announced has sounded another warning to China as it trumpets its aspirations to be a responsible world power.”

Wang Xiangwei/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/geopolitics/article/2168364/chinas-detention-ex-interpol-chief-highlights-arrogance-its

 

Govt to sign agreements with China, UAE to check money laundering: Shahzad Akbar.  Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Accountability Shahzad Akbar said that the government has finalised a mutual legal assistance law to obtain evidence from foreign jurisdictions about financial crimes and mega corruption cases involving Pakistanis

Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1439001/govt-to-sign-agreements-with-china-uae-to-check-money-laundering-shahzad-akbar

 

Indonesia reporting reward / Defense sector governance / North Korea cellphone bribery

Indonesia offers up to Rp 200 million for reporting graft.  The new regulation, issued by the Law and Human Rights Ministry, stipulates that informants who provide tips to the authorities regarding possible graft will be awarded with an official certificate and paid up to Rp 200 million (US$13,137).

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30356176

 

Toward Global Standards for Defense Sector Governance (Blog).  “TI is launching an initiative to formulate, formalize, and promote a set of global principles that underpin responsible, accountable governance of military power—principles that would embrace the idea that the military must be accountable to the people and that would, if followed, improve domestic governance of the defense sector.”

Amira El-Sayed/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/10/04/guest-post-is-an-international-anti-corruption-court-a-dream-or-a-distraction/

 

North Korean Crackdown on Cellphone Use Causes Spike in Corruption.  Corruption in North Korea is on the rise as agents from the Ministry of State Security more brazenly demand bribes to look the other way when North Koreans make calls to their relatives in South Korea on their mobile phones.

Eugene Whong/Radio Free Asia: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/korea/nkcellphonecorruption-10122018143853.html

Open contracting cities / India anonymous complaints / Pakistan corruption cases

Super-power procurement: four ways open contracting is making cities smart (Opinion).  “We have seen that integrating open contracting into larger city change processes can save money and time, deliver better goods and services, engage more and more diverse vendors or flag political linkages and corruption risks.”

Kathrin Frauscher and Coby Jones/Apolitical: https://apolitical.co/solution_article/super-power-procurement-four-ways-open-contracting-is-making-cities-smart/

 

Don't Act On Anonymous Corruption Complaints, Government Departments Told.  India’s Personnel Ministry said no action is required to be taken on anonymous and pseudonymous complaints, irrespective of the nature of the allegation and that such complaints need to be simply filed – while the Central Vigilance Commission also issued similar instructions.

NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-action-needed-on-anonymous-corruption-complaints-centre-to-departments-1930127

 

‘Corrupt’ but never convicted (Opinion).  “Those investigating and those prosecuting need to be invulnerable to pressure from above — so that political pressure cannot influence or speed up either stage, leading to a weak case reaching the courts.”

Arifa Noor/Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1437814

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (13 November 2018): Cook Islands, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Niue

COOK ISLANDS:

Law officers conference starts today.  The three-day event kicks off today and the attending law officers, who are the prosecutors and legal advisers to the governments of 16 Pacific Islands member nations, will hear presentations on a number of different topics.

http://cookislandsnews.com/national/local/item/70983-law-officers-conference-starts-today/70983-law-officers-conference-starts-today

 

FIJI:

Former PWD duo jailed on corruption charges.  Two former employees of the then-Public Works Department (PWD) have been sentenced by the High Court in Suva.

https://www.fijitimes.com/former-pwd-duo-jailed-on-corruption-charges/

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG anti-corruption commission compromised – activist.  An activist in Papua New Guinea is accusing the government of establishing an interim Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) to investigate political opponents.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368340/png-anti-corruption-commission-compromised-activist

 

PNG’s nine-fold increase in malaria infections. Those responsible for the corrupt procurement of drugs must also take their share of the blame. The “free health” policy of the last five years has only made things worse.

https://reliefweb.int/report/papua-new-guinea/png-s-nine-fold-increase-malaria-infections

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Ousted Solomons MP bribed voters - High Court.  A Solomon Islands MP ousted from parliament was found by the country's High Court to have bribed voters in 2014.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368466/ousted-solomons-mp-bribed-voters-high-court

Bribery, treating voters.  Ousted Member of Parliament (MP) for Temotu, VATUD Constituency Freda Tuki Soriacomua has bribed and treated voters by providing food during the campaigning and voting period in 2014.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/20988-bribery-treating-voters

 

TOKELAU:

NZ asked to step in over Tokelau concerns. New Zealand's Auditor-General has asked the Foreign Ministry to step in and improve fiscal controls in Tokelau, New Zealand's Administrator to the territory says.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368215/nz-asked-to-step-in-over-tokelau-fiscal-concerns

 

NIUE:

NZ warns Niue over revenue shortfalls, budget blowouts.  The concerns, which were raised in July by New Zealand's Auditor-General but have not previously been reported, also reveal a backlog in the audited accounts of Niue's government and state-owned enterprises from 2015 onwards.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368331/nz-warns-niue-over-revenue-shortfalls-budget-blowouts

 

Thai immigration bribery / ADB-OECD partnership / Chinese foreign bribery

Thai officials removed for taking 'tips' from Chinese tourists.  “Four immigration officials at a busy Bangkok airport have been demoted after a probe found they were taking bribes from Chinese tourists to fast-track their visa applications.”

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/thai-officials-removed-for-taking-tips-from-chinese-tourists-10808532

 

ADB, OECD sign agreement to deepen partnership for Asia-Pacific.  ADB said the agreement covers the period 2019-2023 and commits the two organizations to work together to promote policy dialogue, results management, knowledge sharing, and mutual learning, including on anti-corruption, tax policy and administration, macroeconomic policy, and data collection and analyses.

Xinhua:http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-10/10/c_137523319.htm

 

US Prosecutors: China Corruption Case Grows Stronger.  Left largely unnoticed in the U.S., the corruption case against Patrick Ho, a former Hong Kong official fighting foreign bribery charges in New York, has sent shockwaves across Asia, putting the spotlight on an open secret in global business circles — rampant bribery of foreign governments by Chinese companies seeking business deals around the world.

Masood Farivar/VOA: https://www.voanews.com/a/us-prosecutors-china-corruption-case-grows-stronger/4607071.html

Interpol chief investigation / Malaysia airports champions / Pakistan no NRO

Former Interpol chief 'held in China under new form of custody'.  Meng Hongwei who is being investigated for bribery in China, seems to have been detained under “liuzhi” or “retention in custody”, which can deny detainees access to legal counsel or families for as long as six months; the measure is used by the National Supervisory Commission (NSC), China’s new super-agency.

Lily Kuo/The Guardian:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/09/former-interpol-chief-meng-hongwei-china-anti-graft

 

In Malaysia Airports, no landing space for corruption.  Malaysia Airports Holdings acting CEO said that Section 17a of the new act regarding gift-giving and receiving provides it with an opportunity to show its commitment to transparency, and that the company is currently working with MACC on how best to achieve this.

Robin Augustin/Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/10/05/in-malaysia-airports-no-landing-space-for-corruption/

 

No NRO for the corrupt: PM.  Prime Minister Imran Khan ruled out the possibility of any national reconciliation ordinance (NRO) for the corrupt elements.

Hassaan Ahmed/Daily Times:https://dailytimes.com.pk/307561/no-nro-for-the-corrupt-pm/

Pakistan whistleblower law / Interpol official investigated / Indonesia bribery case

Khan promises ‘whistleblower’ law to fight official corruption.  Pakistani Prime Minister said a draft of the law will be presented in parliament in the very near future and will include protections for whistleblowers as well as a reward at 20% the value of the assets recovered.

Asia Times: http://www.atimes.com/article/khan-promises-whistleblower-law-to-fight-official-corruption/

 

Missing Interpol chief Meng Hongwei under investigation, China's anti-corruption watchdog says.  The National Supervisory Commission said Public Security Ministry Vice-Minister Meng Hongwei is currently under investigation by for suspected violations of law, in a first message on the case since Mr. Meng’s disappearance was reported in France.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anti-graft-agency-macc-seized-rm2-5-billion-cash-10769334

 

KPK Nabs Six People, Including Tax Officials, for Alleged Bribery in Ambon.  The national antigraft agency announced that it has arrested six people, including a senior tax official and investigators, for alleged bribery in Ambon, Maluku while seizing also 6,600 USD in cash.

Fana Suparman/Jakarta Globe: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpk-nabs-six-people-including-tax-officials-for-alleged-bribery-in-ambon/

Indian companies debarred / International Anti-Corruption Court / Singapore procurement bribery

World Bank debars several Indian firms for fraudulent & corrupt practices.  In its latest annual report, the World Bank said Olive Health Care and Jay Modi from India have been debarred from for their fraudulent and corrupt practices
   

Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/article/international/world-bank-debars-several-indian-firms-for-fraudulent-corrupt-practices-118100400075_1.html

 

Is an International Anti-Corruption Court a Dream or a Distraction? (Blog).  “An [International Anti-Corruption Court] is an exciting idea, to be sure, but given the hard-won experience derived from 16 years of the [International Criminal Court], I fear that this proposal may be a distraction from more effective responses to the worldwide scourge of grand corruption.”

Alex Whiting/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/10/04/guest-post-is-an-international-anti-corruption-court-a-dream-or-a-distraction/

 

Jail for company director who bribed his way to contracts with ST Kinetics subsidiary.  Teo Siong Khoon, director and shareholder of Agrotec Interimex Trading, sentenced to seven months of jail for giving almost $212,000 in bribes to Goh Peng Choy, procurement executive of Advanced Material Engineering (AME), between September 2006 and April 2009.

Fabian Koh/The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/jail-for-company-director-who-bribed-his-way-to-contracts-with-st-kinetics

Korean ex-president jailed / Pakistan opposition arrested / 50 Philippines officials

Another former South Korea president jailed for corruption.  Former South Korea president Lee Myung-bak was fined 11.5 million USD and sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday for corruption, the latest in a string of former leaders of the country who have faced similar charges after leaving office.

Simon Denyer and Min Joo Kim/The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/another-former-south-korea-president-jailed-for-corruption/2018/10/05/7e216cc6-c866-11e8-9158-09630a6d8725_story.html?utm_term=.0dc3970d528c

 

Pakistan’s anti-graft body arrests opposition leader.  The National Accountability Bureau in a statement said it arrested Shahbaz Sharif over his alleged links to a million-dollar housing scam after questioning him for several hours at its office in Lahore.

Zaheer Babar/The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistan-anti-graft-body-arrests-opposition-leader-over-scam/2018/10/05/1d5cbede-c895-11e8-9c0f-2ffaf6d422aa_story.html?utm_term=.17fbe33f5112

 

50 government execs being probed for corruption.  This regional report serves as a reference document, providing a broad overview of why right to information matters, where it stands in a range of countries in the region and what our key recommendations are.

Edith Regalado/PhilStar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/10/06/1857770/50-government-execs-being-probed-corruption

 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (6 October2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Samoa

FIJI:

Ex-Sugar Research Institute CEO In Court For Corruption-Related Charges. The former acting chief executive of­ficer of the Sugar Research Institute of Fiji (SRIF), San­jay Prakash, has been charged by the Fiji Independ­ent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) on corrup­tion related matters.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/03/ex-sugar-research-institute-ceo-in-court-for-corruption-related-charges/

Ex-Bureau Employee In Court On Fraud Charges. Kelera Nokelevu appeared be­fore Magistrate Waleen George charged with one count each of obtaining financial advantage and using forged documents by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/05/ex-bureau-employee-in-court-on-fraud-charges/

Woman In Human Trafficking Case Further Remanded. Woman charged with alleged hu­man trafficking was further re­manded by High Court of Suva yesterday.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/05/woman-in-human-trafficking-case-further-remanded/

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG finance chief warns officials to end corruption. The Papua New Guinea Finance Minister, James Marape, has warned provincial and district finance managers about seeking kickbacks in the course of their work.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/368020/png-finance-chief-warns-officials-to-end-corruption

Going one step further in police investigations.  Corruption in Papua New Guinea is a big issue and it has now included money laundering.

https://postcourier.com.pg/going-one-step-police-investigations/

Police restrained from interfering in security commission.  The National Court has granted interim injuctive orders restraining the police from interfering in the role of the Chairman of the Securities Commission of PNG, Alex Tongayu, and the function of the Commission.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/police-restrained-interfering-security-commission-79930

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islands devoted to good governance & transparency: PM told UNGA.  Solomon Islands is committed to the principles of good governance and transparency.

https://www.onepng.com/2018/10/solomon-islands-devoted-to-good.html

 

TOKELAU:

In Tokelau, NZ must ease tensions, mend relations.  Millions of dollars of government funds spent on helicopters and property without proper approval in 2016 has become a lingering embarrassment, symptomatic of governance woes.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/367728/in-tokelau-nz-must-ease-tensions-mend-relations

 

SAMOA:

Hearing of alleged passport sale begins. The trial of a former Immigration Officer, David Nomereta Uaine, accused of the sale of Samoan passports started yesterday.

http://sobserver.ws/en/04_10_2018/local/37304/Hearing-of-alleged-passport-sale-begins.htm

MACC proposed caning / Military corruption impunity / Chinese campaign success

MACC wants Govt to consider proposal to cane the corrupt.  “MACC Chief Commissioner Datuk Seri Mohd Shukri Abdull (pic) said the proposed punishment on caning directly reflected the serious efforts of the agency in wanting to eradicate corruption in an all-out manner.”

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/09/30/macc-wants-govt-to-consider-proposal-to-cane-the-corrupt/

 

Military Immunity Forgotten Amid Corruption Crackdown (Analysis).  “According to anti-graft czar U Aung Kyi, corruption cases related to the military are beyond the mandate of the commission, because the Constitution grants the military the right to tackle corruption within its ranks using internal mechanisms.”

Nyein Nyein/The Irrawaddy:https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/analysis-military-immunity-forgotten-amid-corruption-crackdown.html

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive a huge success, says new book.  “Chinese President Xi Jinping’s high-profile anti-graft campaign has scored an “overwhelming victory” and a large number of Chinese now believe that corruption levels are down in the country, says a new government-sanctioned policy book.”

Sutirtho Patranobi/Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/chinese-president-xi-jinping-s-anti-corruption-drive-a-huge-success-says-new-book/story-9mDLdwnOQTIdaQjIcOr61M.html