Asia procurement reform / Indonesia election platform / Nissan governance lesson

Asia rising: the next frontier for open contracting (Blog).  “Big things are happening to open up public contracting in Asia and the Pacific. Here’s a quick regional tour, hot off the heels of the recent Open Government Partnership regional meeting in Seoul this month.”

Open Contracting Partnership, UNDP and Hivos: https://www.open-contracting.org/2018/11/26/asia-rising-the-next-frontier-for-open-contracting/

 

Indonesian election: with nod to Malaysia’s 1MDB, Prabowo makes corruption pledge.  Indonesian presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto is confident he can bring about the change that citizens desire and run a clean government that will still be business-friendly while improving the lives of ordinary people.

Kok Xing Hui/The Star Online: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/11/29/indonesian-election-with-nod-to-malaysias-1mdb-prabowo-makes-corruption-pledge/

 

The Ghosn Effect on Corporate Governance.  “Another “Ghosn lesson” is to confirm the vitality of the organization’s internal whistleblower mechanism, for it was an internal complaint that prompted the Nissan board’s investigation.”

Michael Peregrine/Forbes:https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelperegrine/2018/11/27/the-ghosn-effect-on-corporate-governance/#42d29bcc70ce

Singapore allegations censored / Hong Kong foreign bribery / Philippines budget scrutiny

Singapore probes website which exposed top-level government corruption.  TheOnline Citizen (TOC), a Singapore political website which carries news articles and comments critical of the government, has suspended publication after police it is being investigated for possible “criminal defamation” over an article alleging corruption among the city-state’s top leaders.

AFP/Politiko: http://politics.com.ph/singapore-probes-website-which-exposed-top-level-government-corruption/

 

Ex-Hong Kong minister Patrick Ho’s US$2.9 million corruption trial opens, as defence calls it a ‘bribery case with no bribes’.  “In addition to arguing that the sums Ho had given to various African officials on behalf of a Chinese energy giant were donations rather than bribes, the defence said that key prosecution witness Cheikh Gadio was testifying against Ho because he planned to run for president in Senegal.”

Emma Kazaryan/Yahoo News: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/ex-hong-kong-minister-patrick-005038766.html

 

Pangilinan warns to defer approval of NFA budget due to ‘corruption’.  PhilippinesSenator Francis Pangilinan warned that they would seek the deferment of the approval of P7-billion (approx. 133 mil USD) budget of the National Food Authority if it fails to submit a report on corruption that had hounded the agency.

Macon Ramos-Araneta/Manila Standard: http://manilastandard.net/news/national/281501/pangilinan-warns-to-defer-approval-of-nfa-budget-due-to-corruption-.html

Thailand 'ghost' students / Chinese bribery abroad / CPI for business

School probe on 'ghost' claims begins.  The Office of Anti-Corruption in Public for Area 3 found there are between five and 38 ghost students in these schools, but at Kham Sakae Saeng School in Nakhon Ratchasima (northeastern part of Thailand), the number rose to 196 students.

King-oua Laohong/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/crime/1582274/school-probe-on-ghost-claims-begins

 

Chinese Officials Arrested for Bribery Amid Kenya’s SGR Corruption Inquiry.  Kenyan authorities have arrested seven officials with the China Road and Bridge Corporation (three Chinese nationals and four Kenyan) for bribing investigators looking into corruption tied to the Standard Gauge Railway; this marks the first time Chinese officials have faced charges linked to the railway controversial railway project.

Salem Solomon/VoA: https://www.voanews.com/a/china-kenya-bribery/4673798.html

 

Should the Corruption Perceptions Index be Used as an Indicator of Business Risks? (Blog).  “Actual corruption levels might differ from the one indicated by the CPI. Additionally, the index looks only at public sector corruption but the private sector plays a significant role in corruption risks for businesses.”

Laura Sayer/GAN Integrity: https://www.ganintegrity.com/blog/cpi-as-indicator-of-business-risks/

India anti-graft mechanisms / Pakistan case management / Iran corruption remarks

India still awaits effective anti-graft mechanisms (Opinion).  “Such being the state of affairs, a lot of hope rests with the Supreme Court in the ongoing CBI case to again try and establish an effective anti-corruption mechanism, one which is autonomous and insulated from government interference.”

Prasanna Mohanty/Asia Times:http://www.atimes.com/article/india-still-awaits-effective-anti-graft-mechanisms/

 

NAB chairman directs officers to 'dispose of mega corruption cases on priority'.  The NAB chairman also called for transferring low magnitude cases to other anti-corruption departments so that cases of all nature could be disposed of within 10 months.

Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1447029/nab-chairman-directs-officers-to-dispose-of-mega-corruption-cases-on-priority

 

Iran FM Faces Threat of Dismissal after State Corruption Remarks.  The fallout from Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif’s contentious remarks on money laundering and corruption at Tehran institutions continues to be felt in Iran, as ultra-conservative lawmakers have been eyeing means to take down the diplomatic team appointed by President Hassan Rouhani, considered a moderate reformist by many.

Asharq Al-Awsat: https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1472086/iran-fm-faces-threat-dismissal-after-state-corruption-remarks

Malaysia Pakistan cooperation / Chinese companies corruption / Singaporean bribery charges

Malaysia, Pakistan pledge cooperation on anti-corruption, tourism.  Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad met his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan as the two leaders pledged cooperation, following which the two said they had discussed several topics of mutual interest especially on anti-corruption and tourism.

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-pakistan-pledge-for-cooperation-on-anti-corruption-tourism

 

China’s Craigslist, 58.com, Fights Internal Corruption.  Chinese online classifieds giant 58.com launched an internal anti-graft campaign that has brought down at least two senior executives for alleged corruption; a number of other Chinese tech giants including Baidu Inc. and JD.com have also initiated internal inspections in recent years to root out corruption among employees.

Han Wei/Caixin Global: https://www.caixinglobal.com/2018-11-21/chinas-craigslist-58com-fights-internal-corruption-101350088.html

 

Insurance agent charged over bribery of Indonesian Embassy official.  An insurance agent for AIG Asia Pacific Insurance and Liberty Insurance was among three Singaporeans charged over the bribery of an Indonesian Embassy official, allegedly for the official to favour the two insurance companies in accrediting them as providers of performance bonds for Indonesian maids in Singapore.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/insurance-agent-charged-over-bribery-of-indonesian-embassy-10952960

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (24 November 2018): PNG, Fiji, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG police chief says parliament unrest politically motivated.  Papua New Guinea's police commissioner has suggested the unrest at parliament by members of his force and other disciplinary forces this week was politically motivated.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376624/png-police-chief-says-parliament-unrest-politically-motivated

Papua New Guinea unrest continues with gunfire in Port Moresby.  Unrest has continued in Port Moresby following the weekend’s Apec conference and the storming of parliament by “disgruntled” police and corrections officers on Tuesday.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/22/papua-new-guinea-unrest-continues-with-gunfire-in-port-moresby

Public servants dismissed over alleged fraud.  Though Bougainville is on the verge of creating political history through the process of self-determination, it is not immune to the systematic corruption that is destroying PNG.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/public-servants-dismissed-over-alleged-fraud-80871

Stop importing illegal timber, PNG activists tell China at APEC Summit. China’s imports of timber from Papua New Guinea are winnowing away the country’s forests, according to a group of NGOs, researchers and landowners. Without action by Chinese leaders, they wrote in a letter to President Xi Jinping, the illegalities and corruption that plague PNG’s forestry sector will only continue.

https://news.mongabay.com/2018/11/png-leaders-call-to-china-stop-importing-illegal-timber/

Security forces storm PNG parliament over unpaid wages after APEC summit. A group of up to 100 Papua New Guinea security personnel forced their way into parliament on Tuesday to demand unpaid wages, lawmakers said, just days after world leaders attended a regional summit in the impoverished island nation.

https://www.fijitimes.com/security-forces-storm-png-parliament-over-unpaid-wages-after-apec-summit/

Former PM Sir Mekere blasts ‘lavish staging’ and ‘ridicule’ of APEC.  Sir Mekere Morauta, MP for Moresby North West in the nation’s capital, today declared in a statement: “APEC has revealed to the world the corruption, waste and mismanagement within the O’Neill government, and their devastating effects on the nation and citizens.”

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/11/20/former-pm-sir-mekere-blasts-lavish-staging-and-ridicule-of-apec/

 

FIJI :

Ex-Statistician Pleads Guilty. Kelera Nokelevu appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili yesterday charged with one count each of obtaining a financial advantage and using forged documents.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/11/21/ex-statistician-pleads-guilty/

Katia to be sentenced in December. Viliame Katia, former acting deputy official receiver of the Ministry of Justice, was convicted of 11 counts of corrupt-related matters and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment by the Suva Magistrates Court in 2017, which FICAC had appealed against.

https://www.fijitimes.com/katia-to-be-sentenced-in-december/

 

TUVALU:

Former Tuvalu prime minister laid to rest. Mr Ielemia was prime minister from 2006 to 2010, but his political career ended in turmoil when he was convicted of corruption in 2016.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376524/former-tuvalu-prime-minister-laid-to-rest

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Anti-corruption Institutions powerless.  The workshop on ‘Reporting Corruption’ for journalists that is currently underway at the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Cooperation highlights that most anti-corruption institutions in the country have no power to directly deal with corruption.

http://theislandsun.com.sb/anti-corruption-institutions-powerless/

Sikua refused bail. Sikua, the former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services, was convicted on three counts of official corruption after a trial.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21125-sikua-refused-bail

China BRI argument / Malaysia 1MDB repercussions / Philippines Ombudsman retaliation

It’s in China’s Interest to Fight Corruption on the Belt and Road (Blog). “…if China is serious about using the BRI to create a new set of Chinese-led international norms for the 21st century, it’s in China’s long-term national interest to make anticorruption one of those norms.”

Jason Kohn/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/11/19/its-in-chinas-interest-to-fight-corruption-on-the-belt-and-road/

 

Goldman Sachs gets downgraded on worries over fallout from 1MDB scandal.  Adding insult to injury, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. was downgraded by fellow broker Morgan Stanley, which cited “risks and uncertainties” surrounding the investigation into Goldman’s role in the 1MDB scandal.

Tomi Kilgore/Market Watch: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/goldman-sachs-gets-downgraded-on-worries-over-fallout-from-1mdb-scandal-2018-11-21

 

Ombudsman files complaint vs lawyer who accused gov't prosecutors of corruption.  Ombudsman Samuel Martires filed a complaint at the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against lawyer Edna Batacan for alleged violation of the Ombudsman Act as well as corruption of public officials, after Batacan claimed the Office of the Ombudsman is a “graft-ridden office” where one has to “shell out P50,000 [955 USD]” just to get the status of a case.

Adian Ayalin/ABS-CBN News: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/21/18/ombudsman-files-complaint-vs-lawyer-who-accused-govt-prosecutors-of-corruption

 

Malaysia state committee / Japan automaker scandal / Blockchain for construction

Anti-corruption committee plan to build integrity.  Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said it aims to be the first state to have an anti-corruption committee consisting of representatives from Malaysian Institute of Integrity, MACC and related agencies, as a platform for civil servants to report wrongdoings that could hamper the state’s bid to be clean and transparent.

Ivan Loh/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/11/19/anticorruption-committee-plan-to-build-integrity/

 

Nissan chairman Carlos Ghosn arrested in corruption case: Report.  The Japanese automaker said that Ghosn had used company money for personal use and that it had been investigating possible improper practices of Ghosn and Representative Director Greg Kelly for several months.

Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/nissan-accuses-chief-carlos-ghosn-of-misconduct-proposes-firing-him/story-jjdqm3FtVFzqPwD1Egsi9O.html

 

Autodesk CEO tips blockchain to cut construction industry corruption.  Andrew Anagnost, the chief executive of global design software giant Autodesk has said he believes the introduction of blockchain technologies will represent a significant opportunity to stem corruption in the construction industry, and reduce the lack of trust between players in the sector.

Seamus Byrne/Financial Review: https://www.afr.com/technology/autodesk-ceo-tips-blockchain-to-cut-construction-industry-corruption-20181116-h17z3z

 

Indonesia open contracting / Korea test scandal / WEF Judicial Independence

Developer-to-Developer Mentorship in Bandung, Indonesia: A Blueprint for Open Contracting Success (Blog).  “As of November 2018, Bandung City has published around 40,000 procurements from the past 3 years, and [Development Gateway is] glad to be a part of the process.”

Andrew Mandelbaum and Mihai Postelnicu/Development Gateway:https://www.developmentgateway.org/blog/developer-developer-mentorship-bandung-indonesia-blueprint-open-contracting-success

 

Cheating scandal erupts as South Korean students face their toughest test.  “In a statement, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education said the case "damages the absolute value of academic achievement, which is fairness. It is a serious incident of corruption which crumbles the people's trust in public education."

Jake Kwon/CNN: https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/14/asia/korea-csat-test-cheating-intl/index.html

 

Judicial Independence in Asia.  The judicial system in Japan ranked highest in Asia, and is considered to be free from the influences of the government, a significant evidence of the uncorrupt political system, according to the World Economic Forum executive opinion survey.

The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30358828

 

Sector-specific CurbingCorruption / Malaysia ex-minister bribery / Cross-border investigation tips

New “CurbingCorruption” Website on Sector-Specific Anticorruption Reform Strategies (Blog/Resource).  “The brainchild of Mark Pyman, and developed by him with assistance from several other distinguished anticorruption specialists, CurbingCorruption seeks to provide concrete anticorruption advice tailored to specific sectors (such as construction, education, health, fisheries, etc.)”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/11/15/new-curbingcorruption-website-on-sector-specific-anticorruption-reform-strategies/

 

Ex-ministry sec-gen and son jailed and fined for bribery.  Former Rural and Regional Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohd Arif Ab Rahman and his son have been sentenced to a total of eight years in jail and fined RM12.6mil for bribery related to a hybrid solar system project in four remote islands off Sandakan, Sabah.

Nurbaiti Hamdan/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/15/exministry-secgen-and-son-jailed-and-fined-for-bribery/

 

5 tips to succeed in cross-border investigations (Blog).  “Successful cross-border investigations have highlighted that, with rigorous journalism, the powerful can be held accountable.”

María Luz Nóchez/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/5-tips-to-succeed-in-cross-border-investigations-b17749d78928

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (17 November 2018): PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga, Cook Islands

China seen as key for reducing illegal logging in Melanesia. Civil society is looking at China as the best bet for reducing illegal logging in Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375990/china-seen-as-key-for-reducing-illegal-logging-in-melanesia

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Papua New Guinea PM's firm won $32m contract despite 'serious irregularities'. A company owned by Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, won a $32m (£25m) government contract to build bridges in the country via a process with “serious procurement irregularities” that may have violated anti-corruption guidelines, the Guardian can reveal.

http://www.msn.com/en-xl/australasia/top-stories/papua-new-guinea-pms-firm-won-dollar32m-contract-despite-serious-irregularities/ar-BBPDbRH?ocid=DELLDHP

Maseratis and cruise ships: PNG prepares for global summit. Papua New Guinea (PNG) might be the least likely place to spot world leaders shaking hands. But that's exactly what's happening over the next few days.

http://www.msn.com/en-xl/australasia/australasia-top-stories/maseratis-and-cruise-ships-png-prepares-for-global-summit/ar-BBPG47X?li=BBKxOg5&ocid=DELLDHP

Bougainville brings in Fraud Squad to deal with corruption. Corruption is rampant in the Bougainville government, despite Bougainville having a modern system of laws and an effective model of representative government and democracy.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375905/bougainville-brings-in-fraud-squad-to-deal-with-corruption

Corruption allegations surround PNG PM's company. A company owned by Papua New Guinea's prime minister won a $US32 million contract to build bridges through an allegedly corrupt procurement process.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375831/corruption-allegations-surround-png-pm-s-company

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Call for more to be done to tackle corruption in Solomons. Transparency Solomon Islands says a recent spate of arrests and convictions for corruption is welcome, but more needs to be done with an election campaign near.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375879/call-for-more-to-be-done-to-tackle-corruption-in-solomons

10 MPs in Solomons investigated for corruption. Ten Members of Parliament in Solomon Islands are being investigated by the police for corruption.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375711/10-mps-in-solomons-investigated-for-corruption

 

FIJI:

Human trafficking suspect granted bail. For the money laundering charges, it is alleged that Geeta Anjana Chandar between September, 2017 and March, 2017 disposed of $79,991.40 into a Bank of the South Pacific account and between February and May, 2014 Seta Sanjana Ram allegedly disposed of $2,525 into two Australia and New Zealand bank accounts that were the proceeds of crime.

https://www.fijitimes.com/human-trafficking-suspect-granted-bail/

Incumbent Frank Bainimarama expected to hold power in Fiji election. The two frontrunners of today’s election are former coup leaders. Incumbent Frank Bainimarama—leader of the 2006 coup—will seek re-election with the FijiFirst party. His primary competition is Sitiveni Rabuka of the SODELPA party, who instigated two coups in 1987. Mr Rabuka was only cleared to contest the election on Monday, after being acquitted on fraud charges.

https://foreignbrief.com/daily-news/incumbent-frank-bainimarama-expected-to-hold-power-in-fiji-election/

 

TONGA:

16 MPs “recognize” alleged corruption by PM and six ministers. A vote by Tonga’s Members of Parliament on Thursday 8 November, agreed (16 - 4) to recognize that Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva and six cabinet ministers had inappropriately spent their budget allocations for the 2015-16, 2016-17, and 2017-18 Financial Years.

https://matangitonga.to/2018/11/10/16-mps-recognize-alleged-corruption-pmandministers

 

COOK ISLANDS:

Stay in Cooks over Rakahanga electoral dispute. The Cook Islands Court of Appeal has upheld a stay on a by-election in Rakahanga, which is the focus of an electoral petition.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375680/stay-in-cooks-over-rakahanga-electoral-dispute

 

Viet Nam state-run business / Malaysia sex bribery / Chinese officials implicated

Vietnam arrests two more officials of state-run MobiFone in graft crackdown.  Pham Thi Phuong Anh, deputy director of MobiFone Corp., and former general director Cao Duy Hai were accused of “violating regulations on the management and use of state capital,” the Ministry of Public Security said, as the company allegedly caused losses to the state budget by overpaying for a stake of 95 percent in a loss-making pay-TV provider.

Tuoi Tre News: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20181114/vietnam-arrests-two-more-officials-of-staterun-mobifone-in-graft-crackdown/47697.html

 

Malaysia anti-graft body says has unearthed cases of sex for grades.  There have been instances of teachers asking students for sex in exchange for good examination scores, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Mohd Shukri Abdull has said, warning that such cases are dangerous for the country's future generation.

The Straits Times:https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-anti-graft-body-says-has-unearthed-cases-of-sex-for-grades

 

Shanghai’s jailed top prosecutor ‘implicates 100 other officials in corruption case’. Once dubbed the “law manipulator of Shanghai”, Chen Xu was sentenced after a court in Nanning found him guilty of taking money and property worth more than 74.2 million yuan (US$10.7 million) personally or through family members between 2000 and 2015 – and many officials implicated by him are now under investigation.

William Zheng/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2172762/shanghais-jailed-top-prosecutor-implicates-100-other-officials

Myanmar city construction / Korean conglomerates fraud / 1MDB recovery overseas

Transparency in Delayed $2B Development Project Requested in Lower House.  Despite the agreement of the Eco Green City project in Myanmar being signed two years ago, no start appears to have been made on it and the revenue-sharing deal between the government and the private company remains unclear.

The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/transparency-delayed-2b-development-project-requested-lower-house.html

 

Two Employees of South Korean Conglomerate Charged with Defrauding U.S. Government in Army Base Construction (Press release).  “Two employees of SK Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. (SK), a large multinational corporation based in the Republic of Korea (South Korea), were charged with participating in a scheme to defraud the United States by submitting fraudulent subcontracts to conceal bribes and kickbacks paid to an American public official, in relation to U.S. Army construction contracts in South Korea.”

US Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-employees-south-korean-conglomerate-charged-defrauding-us-government-army-base

 

Malaysian official asks Goldman Sachs for $600M fraud refund.  Shares of the Wall Street powerhouse got clobbered after a top Malaysian official claimed the bank owed the country a “full refund” of $600 million for its role in an international fraud masterminded by financier Jho Low.

Kevin Dugan/New York Post: https://nypost.com/2018/11/12/malaysian-official-asks-goldman-sachs-for-600m-fraud-refund/

Bangladesh corporate governance / Viet Nam labor minister / Malaysia foreign investors

Improve corporate governance.  Bangladesh Finance Minister AMA Muhith has called for more efficiency and transparency to improve corporate governance for sustainable businesses in his speech at 5th ICSB National Award 2017 for Corporate Governance Excellence, organized by The Institute of Chartered Secretaries of Bangladesh.

The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/news/improve-corporate-governance-1659280

 

Vietnam arrests former deputy minister as part of graft crackdown.  Police in Vietnam arrested Le Bach Hong, former deputy labor minister, on allegations of economic mismanagement, as the communist-led government presses on with a crackdown on corruption.

Khanh Vu/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vietnam-security-arrests/vietnam-arrests-former-deputy-minister-as-part-of-graft-crackdown-idUSKCN1NE1FF

 

Foreign investors will be protected, says Dr M.  “Malaysia will protect foreign investors keen to invest in the country, but who may be mistreated due to corruption when dealing with government officers, said Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.”

Bernama: http://www.bernama.com/en/business/news.php?id=1659288

Philippines ex-lady disqualified / Myanmar lawyers object / 1MDB resist extradition

Imelda Marcos disqualified from holding office after corruption conviction.  The former first lady of the Philippines, who became renowned for her lavish collection of shoes, has been finally found guilty of seven counts of corruption during her twenty years in office and is now perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Hannah Ellis-Petersen/The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/09/imelda-marcos-disqualified-from-holding-office-after-corruption-conviction

 

Defence lawyers submit objection letter in landmark judicial corruption case.  “Lawyers representing former Yangon Region advocate general and four other judicial officials accused of accepting bribes to pervert justice submitted a letter to the Yangon Region High Court objecting to the testimony of the Anti-Corruption Commission.”

Ye Mon/Frontier Myanmar: https://frontiermyanmar.net/en/defence-lawyers-submit-objection-letter-in-landmark-judicial-corruption-case

 

Ex-Goldman Sachs banker Roger Ng fights US extradition over 1MDB scandal.  A former Goldman Sachs Group Inc banker is fighting extradition to the United States, where he would face charges of money laundering and bribery related to scandal-plagued Malaysian state investment company 1MDB, after being arrested last week in Malaysia at the request of American authorities

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ex-goldman-banker-roger-ng-fights-us-extradition-over-1mdb-scandal

 

Mongolia SME fund / Singapore business bribes / Malaysia logging contracts

A scandal in Mongolia: heads roll in government after US$1.3m SME fund embezzlement.  Mongolia’s anti-corruption authority is investigating reports that senior government officials and parliamentarians channelled more than US$1 million in government money to their families and friends, with one minister resigning and another expected to step down soon.

Khaliun Bayartsogt/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/2171965/scandal-mongolia-heads-roll-government-after-us13m-sme-fund

 

Town council GM graft trial: Company director told business partner not to keep receipts of KTV sessions.  A Singaporean company director on trial for alleged bribery had told his business partner not to keep any receipts of the drinking and karaoke sessions that he took a town council's former general manager to.

Adrian Lim/The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/town-council-gm-graft-trial-company-director-told-business-partner-not-to-keep-receipts-of

 

Former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman charged with 35 counts of corruption.  Former Sabah chief minister was charged with 35 counts of corruption involving about US$63 million - the charges were related to logging contracts in Sabah wherein he allegedly received bribes in exchange for offering timber concessions in the east Malaysian state.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/former-sabah-chief-minister-musa-aman-arrested-macc-10898334

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (10 November 2018): Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands

FIJI:

Complaints against lands office.  Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum said there had been a lot of allegations of corruption and bribery which have led to the removal, termination and transfer of some people.

https://www.fijitimes.com/complaints-against-lands-office/

Rabuka case heard at Fiji High Court.  A Fiji court has heard that politician Sitiveni Rabuka deliberately omitted information in relation to his assets, income and liabilities.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375489/rabuka-case-heard-at-fiji-high-court

Former commanding officer appeals conviction and sentence.  The court heard that between September 2013 and March 2014, Keni, while being a public servant employed by the Fiji Police Force failed to assist FICAC by refusing to provide information relevant to a bribery case against the former Acting Inspector of the Fiji Police Force, Timoci Naulu.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/70408/former-commanding-officer-appeals-conviction-and-sentence

 

MARSHALL ISLANDS:

'It is baseless' - Marshalls President, facing ouster, blames Chinese influence.  Concern over a proposed utopia for foreign investment in the Marshall Islands has exploded, with the country's president blaming Chinese influence for an impending no confidence vote being brought against her by backers of the project.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/375519/it-is-baseless-marshalls-president-facing-ouster-blames-chinese-influence

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

‘10 MPs cases active’. There are 10 cases involving Members of Parliament (MPs) that are currently under active investigation by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21092-10-mps-cases-active

 

COOK ISLANDS:

Ministry issues dog Audit. Cook Islands government ministries have a real problem when it comes to documentation supporting their figures in official financial statements.

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/71209-ministry-issues-dog-audit/71209-ministry-issues-dog-audit

Bottom Up Anti-Corruption / Sri Lanka turmoil / Pakistan corruption address

“Bottom Up” Corruption Prevention (Blog).  “A bottom up approach enables each agency to create and modify procedures in ways appropriately tailored to its activities, and to learn from one another’s successes and failures.”

Jennifer Widner and Tristan Dreisbach/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/23/698/

 

Bribery Accusations Deepen Turmoil in Sri Lanka.  Sri Lanka’s politics plunged into deeper turmoil when a majority of the country’s parliamentarians refused to recognize the appointment of the new prime minister amid rising tensions and accusations of millions of dollars in bribes.

Dharisha Bastians and Jeffrey Gettleman/The New York Times:https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/02/world/asia/sri-lanka-prime-minister-bribery-crisis.html

 

Corruption biggest hurdle in way of development: PM Khan. Prime Minister Imran Khan said ‘corrupt practices of the country’s political leaders’ were the biggest hurdle in way of development and that timely measures were needed to tackle the menace, in his address to the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China

Daily Times: https://dailytimes.com.pk/318441/corruption-biggest-hurdle-in-way-of-development-pm-khan/

Communicating with SMEs / NAB Anti-corruption day / Chinese financial probe

Communicating with SMEs on anti-corruption (Blog).  “Our experience clearly emphasises that the effectiveness of communications is much greater, when written materials are supplemented with face-to-face training/mentoring for small groups of SMEs, especially when the trainers/mentors are themselves from business and can discuss the issues in practical business language.”

Brook Horowitz and Jan Dauman/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/23/communicating/

 

NAB to create public awareness against corruption.  Pakistan National Accountability Bureau Khyber Pakhtunkhwa director general Farmanullah Khan asked the provincial government to arrange awareness sessions and public events across the province, especially in the tribal districts, to mark Dec 9 as the Anti-Corruption Day.

Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1443224/nab-to-create-public-awareness-against-corruption

 

Anti-graft authorities to inspect financial firms.  The inspections were a response to incidents of misconduct in banks and securities regulators such as intentionally overselling stocks and faking official seals to illegally approve insider dealing, Chinese analysts said.

Xu Hailin/Global Times:http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1125837.shtml

PPP anti-corruption opportunity / Malaysia asset declarations / Chinese police investigated

Public/private partnerships – an opportunity or risk for anti-corruption? (Blog).  “Part of the value of the partnership approach is that law enforcement and private sector compliance analysts can work together, to understand and evaluate financial crime threats and their footprint in the financial system.”

Nick J Maxwell/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/23/689/

 

Come clean and be transparent, watchdogs tell PH reps.  Transparency International-Malaysia President Datuk Akhbar Satar said that there is no acceptable reason for anyone in the government not to declare their assets to the government, so that the information can be made public by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commis­sion (MACC).

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/02/come-clean-and-be-transparent-watchdogs-tell-ph-reps/

 

Chinese police chief kills himself after two former colleagues come under corruption cloud.  A top public security official in China’s resource-rich region of Inner Mongolia killed himself, just days after two of his former colleagues were taken away for investigation by anti-corruption officials.

William Zheng/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2171435/chinese-police-chief-kills-himself-after-two-former-colleagues

OECD integrity shift / Malaysia no kickbacks / India reporter killed

Focusing efforts and blurring lines: the OECD’s shift from ethics to integrity (Blog).  “The OECD’s shift to integrity is symptomatic of a wider change in the anti-corruption community, which – after years of promoting control and sanction – is growing weary of assertions that these approaches have failed.”

Sofia Wickberg/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/23/662/

 

Development projects in PD which have corruption or kickbacks will be cancelled says Anwar.  Port Dickson MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that he will cancel any projects in the constituency found to have elements of corruption or kickbacks by developers; he also set three conditions for companies looking to develop hotels in PD: cleaning up the beach, creating local jobs, and providing employees accommodation. 

The Star:https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/31/development-projects-in-pd-which-have-corruption-or-kickbacks-will-be-cancelled-says-anwar/

 

Local reporter covering corruption is abducted and beaten to death in Jharkhand, India.  The police said they believe that Tiwari was targeted for exposing the alleged financial irregularities of Singh, who is a private contractor involved in government-funded scheme to support rural employment.

Committee to Protect Journalists: https://cpj.org/2018/11/local-reporter-covering-corruption-is-abducted-and.php

Malaysia business optimistic / Technology enabling corruption / Doing Business report

FMM: There’s positive effect in war against graft.  The war against corruption is having a positive effect on Malaysia as fairness and equality will attract a higher level of investment in Malaysia, said Fede­ration of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) president Datuk Soh Thian Lai

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/31/fmm-theres-positive-effect-in-war-against-graft/

 

Could technology be an enabler for corruption? (Blog).  “…organized or white collar criminals are experts in using data for corrupt things. It’s really about new ways of using data for corruption or anti-corruption and whoever is getting better in that will have the upper hand.”

Manasseh Azure Awuni/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/could-technology-be-an-enabler-of-corruption-f19738e3583a

 

Doing Business 2019 (Resource).  Doing Business 2019 is the 16th in World Bank’s series of annual reports investigating the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it.

World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/media/Annual-Reports/English/DB2019-report_web-version.pdf

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (3 November 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands

FIJI:

FLP to consider reinstating PWD to be responsible for roads infrastructure and terminate role of FRA.  The Fiji Labour Party manifesto also says that they will appoint an independent commission with powers to inquire into allegations of corruption and to prosecute offenders, both in private and political office.

http://fijivillage.com/news/FLP-to-consider-reinstating-PWD-to-be-responsible-for-roads-infrastructure-and-terminate-role-of-FRA-sr9k52

Fiji Attends AIBA Congress.  “This is a critical time in the history of amateur boxing, as it sees itself on the brink of expulsion from the Olympics as a political battle and governance issues threatens the sport exclusion from Tokyo 2020,” he said.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/11/02/fiji-attends-aiba-congress/

Senior FRCS staff fronts court on corruption charges; Court hears of alleged $4.1m loss caused.  Shameem Khan, 48, charged with two separate counts of abuse of office and general dishonesty causing loss was granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.

https://www.fijitimes.com/senior-frcs-staff-fronts-court-on-corruption-charges-court-hears-of-alleged-4-1m-loss-caused/

Fiji CJ to rule on FICAC appeal two days before election. Fiji's Chief Justice is to deliver a judgement on an appeal against political party leader Sitiveni Rabuka's acquittal of electoral fraud on Monday the 12th of November.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/369859/fiji-cj-to-rule-on-ficac-appeal-two-days-before-election

NFP Man In Court. A lawyer and National Federation Party candidate appeared in the Rakiraki Magistrates Court yesterday charged with one count of conversion and one count of money laundering.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/11/02/nfp-man-in-court/

3 Former Executives Of Big Supermarket Chain Charged For Money Laundering. Three former executives of a major supermarket chain have been charged for their alleged involvement in deceptively obtaining more than $200,000 between 2011 and 2016 whilst employed at the headquarters in Nasinu.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/10/31/3-former-executives-of-big-supermarket-chain-charged-for-money-laundering/

 

PNG:

Morauta seeks probe into PNG govt luxury car deal. A Papua New Guinea opposition MP has written to the Ombudsman Commission and Police Fraud Squad calling for inquiries into the APEC luxury cars scandal.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/370058/morauta-seeks-probe-into-png-govt-luxury-car-deal

Thousands hold 'Maserati strike' in PNG amid anger at Apec summit spending. “It’s a protest against the corruption associated with the hosting of Apec. It’s not a protest against world leaders, it’s a protest against our own corrupt, unaccountable politicians,” he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/26/apec-summit-papua-new-guinea-maserati-thousands-strike

Study finds PNG 2017 election largely neither fair or free. Many voters were denied a fair choice in last year's Papua New Guinea general election, according to analysis by the Australian National University.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/369869/study-finds-png-2017-election-largely-neither-fair-or-free

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomons MP arrested and charged for corruption. A member of parliament in Solomon Islands has been arrested and charged with corruption.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018669354/solomons-mp-arrested-and-charged-for-corruption

 

COOK ISLANDS:

Cook Islands government ministries have a real problem when it comes to documentation supporting their figures in official financial statements.  That’s the opinion of Audit Office head Allen Parker, who added poor internal controls and record keeping made auditing “very difficult”.

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/national/politics/item/71209-ministry-issues-dog-audit/71209-ministry-issues-dog-audit

Ocean floor holds rich future. Lynch said cobalt was currently only available from the Democratic Republic of Congo “and it is called ‘conflict cobalt’ because of tribal warfare, corruption and social impacts; the comment was made as tenders for applications to explore Cook Islands seafloor are set to open in January.

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/71099-ocean-floor-holds-rich-future

 

Corruption gendered dimension / Bangladesh ex-PM jailed / KPK palm-oil raid

Add women and stir? Exploring the gendered dimension of corruption (Blog).  The inherent danger of instrumentalizing women in key positions as a tool to combat corruption, coupled with the lack of institutional effort to include gendered dimensions (such as sextortion) as part of the fight against corruption, cannot result in more than a kind of ‘add women and stir’ strategy.

Rrita Ismajli and Miranda Loli/Public Administration Review: https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/22/651/

 

Bangladesh court jails ex-PM Zia for seven years for corruption.  Bangladesh's imprisoned opposition leader Khaleda Zia was handed another seven years in prison on corruption charges her supporters say are politically motivated to prevent her running in general elections due at the end of the year.

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/10/bangladesh-court-jails-pm-zia-7-years-corruption-181029065602070.html

KPK raids Sinar Mas subsidiaries’ offices in bribery investigation.  KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah said investigators had conducted searches in the offices of both PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) and PT Binasawit Abadi Pratama (BAP) corporations, which are subsidiaries of Singapore-listed palm oil company Golden Agri-Resources Ltd., as part of their investigation into an alleged bribery case in Central Kalimantan.

Kharishar Kahfi/The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2018/10/30/kpk-raids-sinar-mas-subsidiaries-offices-in-bribery-investigation.html

 

Pakistan financial integrity / Blockchain in Thailand / Hong Kong denies influence

Fighting corruption through strengthening financial integrity: Reflections on Pakistan’s experience (Blog).  “Based on our current research that examines the role of Pakistan’s financial system in preventing the laundering of the proceeds of grand corruption, we suggest that bolstering financial integrity in source countries of corruption-related financial flows is integral to law enforcement efforts, indispensable to building a sustainable domestic anti-corruption framework, and a necessary first line of defence against corruption and capital flight.”

Tom Keatinge and Anton Moiseienko/Public Administration Review:https://www.publicadministrationreview.com/2018/10/22/647/

 

Blockchain tech seen as a tool to curb corruption.  Thai experts and social entrepreneurs have placed high hopes on benefiting from the advanced blockchain technology that would be able to, for example, be used with asset declarations or public procurement-related information to enhance the transparency, as well as be used to promote good governance in private sector.

Jintana Panyaarvudh/The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30357379

 

Departing Hong Kong anti-graft director rejects suggestions of Beijing interference in ICAC’s operations.  The outgoing investigation chief of Hong Kong’s graft-buster, Richy Yu Chun-cheong, has rejected any notion of interference by mainland Chinese authorities in the operations of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) amid increasing cross-border ties, insisting checks and balances on its work are stronger than ever.

Chris Lau/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2170564/departing-hong-kong-anti-graft-director-rejects