India officials fired / Cambodia crackdown analysis / Malaysia Najib prosecution

Modi govt sacks another 22 senior officials in latest crackdown on corruption.  “[India’s] Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has compulsorily retired 22 senior government officials in "public interest" on charges of corruption… The latest batch of officers who were shown the door comprised those dealing with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Customers from across various zones in the country.”

India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/modi-govt-crackdown-on-corruption-sacks-22-officials-1591607-2019-08-26

 

The Truth About Cambodia’s So-Called Corruption Crackdown (Opinion).  “…the point is that they do not change the broader realities in Cambodia that would make any seemingly revolutionary corruption crackdown seem more like a periodic purge.”

David Hutt/The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2019/08/the-truth-about-cambodias-so-called-corruption-crackdown/

 

Prosecution rests case on Najib’s RM42m SRC International corruption trial.  Attorney General Tommy Thomas told the High Court that the prosecution is formally closing its case after its 57th and final witness, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigating officer Senior Assistant Commissioner Rosli Hussain, stepped down from the witness box.

Kenneth Tee/Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/08/27/prosecution-rests-case-on-najibs-rm42m-src-international-corruption-trial/1784639

Business integrity lesson / Indonesia KPK leadership / Technology for transparency

What PH can learn from Kenya in fight vs corruption.  “This is how [Blue Company Project] works: Corporations sworn to ethical standards and best sustainable practices in daily operations apply for a “Blue Company” stamp. Once certified, they encourage their suppliers and service providers to “go Blue” as well.”

Emmie G. Velarde/Inquirer.net: https://business.inquirer.net/277524/what-ph-can-learn-from-kenya-in-fight-vs-corruption 

 

Graft watchdogs cry foul over ‘conflict of interest’ in KPK leadership race.  A coalition of civil society organizations - including Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW), the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute Foundation (YLBHI), the Center for Indonesian Law and Policy Studies (PSHK), and the Jakarta Legal Aid Society (LBH Jakarta) - said that several selection committee members for the next leaders of Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission were suspected of having conflicts of interest that made them unfit to sit on the committee.

Karina M. Tehusijarana/The Jakarta Post:  https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/08/26/several-kpk-selection-committee-members-unfit-have-conflicts-of-interest.html 

 

Transparency and tech together can safeguard taxpayers' money (Blog).  “Even as the people who commit fraud evolve and become more sophisticated, so too can government agencies by leveraging deep analytics, AI, blockchain and other technologies that can keep them ahead and prevent the loss of taxpayers’ money.”

Silvina Moschini/World Economic Forum:  https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/transparency-and-tech-together-can-safeguard-taxpayers-money/

Myanmar illegal loggers / Iran probe debate / Bangladesh land services

Locals Say Officials Took Bribes, Freed Illegal Loggers in W. Myanmar.  Lower House lawmaker U Myint Wai, of Rakhine State’s Gwa Township, accused forest department staff and police of setting free illegal loggers arrested in his constituency in May.

Htet Naing Zaw/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/locals-say-officials-took-bribes-freed-illegal-loggers-w-myanmar.html

 

Corruption Probe Or Power Struggle? Iran's Former Judiciary Chief Comes Under Attack.  “As head of Iran's judiciary for a decade, Sadegh Amoli Larijani held significant power to use the country's legal system…Within months of a new judiciary chief's appointment in March, Larijani's political enemies looked to have been hitting back.”

Golnaz Esfandiari/Radio Free Europe: https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-larijani-judiciary-chief-corruption-attack/30127184.html

 

‘Ensure corruption-free services regarding land’.  “The [Bangladesh] government officials are paid handsome salary that comes from people’s money. And so, people deserve good treatment and smooth service. The land ministry is working to establish digital services at all levels so that people can get land documents easily,” the chief guest [Secretary of Land Ministry Md Maksudur Rahman Patwary] said.

The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/ensure-corruption-free-services-regarding-land-1790455

Thailand anti-corruption education / India minister arrest / New KickBack podcast

NACC urges spending on graft-busting lessons.  Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) hopes the government will allocate budget funds to the Education Ministry to educate students and the public about fighting corruption, commission president Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit said, adding that without a sufficient budget, the Education Ministry will have a difficult time maintaining public awareness about the dangers of corruption.

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1733355/nacc-urges-spend-on-graft-busting-lessons

 

A timeline of key events that led to the arrest of India’s former finance minister.  The case involves alleged irregularities in clearing overseas investments of Rs305 crore ($42.8 million) into the Mumbai-based INX Media group (now 9X media) in 2007 during Chidambaram’s tenure.

Niharika Sharma/Quartz: https://qz.com/india/1692837/timeline-of-chidambaram-and-kartis-inx-media-case/

 

New Podcast Episode, Featuring Oz Dincer (Blog/Podcast).  “In the interview, Professor Dincer [Director of the Institute for Corruption Studies at Illinois State]  and I discuss a range of topics, including new approaches to the challenges of measuring corruption, the concept of “legal corruption,” the role of cultural factors in influencing corrupt behavior (both internationally and within the United States), and troubling developments related to political corruption in Turkey.”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/08/20/new-podcast-episode-featuring-oz-dincer/

Thai NACC emboldened / Nepal cases decreased / Iran car manufacturers

NACC makes bolder calls (Editorial).  “Indeed, even though six of [the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission’s] nine commissioners were appointed by the former regime's lawmakers, these recent decisions are a welcome step towards a seemingly more impartial and more independent anti-corruption watchdog.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1732607/nacc-makes-bolder-calls

 

Corruption under control, says Minister Baskota.  Nepal’s Ministry of Communications and Information claimed that the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority was bringing the corrupt to book. “The anti-graft body is working actively. Corruption cases in the country have decreased due to the active role of the CIAA,” Minister Baskota said.

The Himalayan Times: https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/corruption-under-control-says-minister-baskota/

 

Lawmaker Says Iran Car Manufacturers Mired In Corruption.  Iranian car manufacturers are mostly directly or indirectly government-owned and their losses impact either government institutions or government-owned banks.

Radio Farda: https://en.radiofarda.com/a/lawmaker-says-iran-car-manufacturers-mired-in-corruption/30115014.html

Philippines corruption cost / Indonesia corruption fighters / Pakistan asset recovery

P700 billion lost yearly due to corruption, says official.  The Philippines is losing around P700 billion (approx. US$13.3 billion), or around 20 percent of the country's total budget appropriation, yearly, due to corruption, an official said.

Ron Gagalac/ABS-CBN News: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/15/19/p700-billion-lost-yearly-due-to-corruption-says-official

 

Molotov cocktails and acid attacks: The risky life of an Indonesian corruption fighter (Interview).  “In an exclusive interview with the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, KPK Deputy Commissioner Laode Muhammad Syarif – one of the targets of the Molotov cocktail attack last January with chair Agus Rahardjo – says KPK staff face threats to their physical safety and that protection of commission staff is inadequate.”

James Massola, Karuni Rompies and Laode Muhammad Syarif/The Sydney Morning Herald:  https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/molotov-cocktails-and-acid-attacks-the-risky-life-of-an-indonesian-corruption-fighter-20190815-p52hku.html 

 

NAB recovers Rs326bn from corrupt elements.  “[Pakistan’s] National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has so far recovered Rs 326 billion (approx. US$ 2 billion) from the corrupt elements and deposited into the national exchequer which is a record achievement”

Fawad Maqsood/Business Recorder: https://www.brecorder.com/2019/08/17/518016/nab-recovers-rs326bn-from-corrupt-elements/ 

Thailand anti-corruption deputy / Philippines gift policy / Afghanistan release criticized

NACC turns its guns on deputy chief Prayat.  Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has recommended indicting its deputy secretary-general Prayat Puangjumpa for being unusually rich, after it found that he have amassed vast wealth and was accused of concealing them in his mandatory asset declaration to the NACC.

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1731015/nacc-turns-its-guns-on-deputy-chief-prayat

 

Lacson to Duterte: Insatiable greed starts with simple, petty graft.  This was the answer of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, the former Philippine National Police chief, to President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that it was okay for police officers to accept “gifts” out of gratitude while speaking at the 118^th Policy Service anniversary.

Katrina Hallare/Inquirer.net: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1152446/lacson-to-duterte-insatiable-greed-starts-with-simple-petty-graft

 

US Envoy slams Afghan government’s anti-corruption resolve.  The United States criticized the government in Afghanistan for releasing from jail and into house arrest the former Kabul Bank chief executive, a key "fraud perpetrator" before the conclusion of his sentence, allegedly in return for a multimillion-dollar campaign donation.

Ayaz Gul/VoA News: https://www.voanews.com/south-central-asia/us-envoy-slams-afghan-governments-anti-corruption-resolve

Bhutan anti-corruption strategy / Myanmar Mandalay SMEs / Thailand CAC interview

NIACS 2019-2023 launched: Decoding DAMTSI for a happy, harmonious and corruption free society.  In an effort to reinforce ‘DAMTSI’ [Developing Accountable, Moral and Transparent Systems and Individuals] as the core Bhutanese value, His Excellency Lyonchhen Dr. Lotay Tshering, Hon’ble Prime Minister launched the ‘National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (NIACS) 2019-2023’ in Thimphu where he was joined by His Eminence Laytshog Lopen of Zhung Dratshang (Central Monastic Body), Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan and Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption Commission.

The Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan: https://www.acc.org.bt/?q=node/2078

Click here for the full National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (NIACS) 2019-2023:  https://www.acc.org.bt/pdf/NIACS%202019-2023.pdf

 

SMEs need policies tailored for growth to flourish: MRCCI.  The regional lobby group Mandalay Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MRCCI) pointed out that SMEs in the region faced a number of obstacles to sustaining and growing their businesses such as high costs, financing, access to technology, red-tape, skilled workers, transparency and corruption.

Thiha Ko Ko/The Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/smes-need-policies-tailored-growth-flourish-mrcci.html

 

Thailand: How does collective action against corruption work in practice? (Interview).  An interview with Mr. Pana Ratanabanangkoon, Project Director of the Thai Private Sector Collective Action against Corruption (CAC). Mr. Ratanabanangkoon explains how CAC serves as a platform for businesses to collectively tackle corruption in Thailand.

United Nations Development Programme and Pana Ratanabanangkoon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5lxWPOmyTs&feature=youtu.be

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (17 August 2019): Samoa, PNG

The state of the Pacific as the 2019 Forum convenes. As with the O’Neill government, the critical question for Marape will be the handling of corruption, not because of external pressure on that front (nowadays much diminished), but due to domestic concern about the antics of PNG elites during the country’s liquid natural gas boom.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/state-pacific-2019-forum-convenes

 

SAMOA:

Corruption definitions changeable, journalism constant. Varying definitions of corruption pose a challenge to journalists covering corruption but it's far from insurmountable, an Australian journalist has told a workshop on reporting on corruption.

https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/47430

 

Workshop on Investigative Reporting for Samoa Journalists

https://youtu.be/TTi7gNiexE8

 

PNG:

'I will eventually get killed': Meet Bryan Kramer, Papua New Guinea's anti-corruption tsar. “My response was, God will decide when it is time for me to leave this earth and if it happens in my cause to fight corruption then so be it,” wrote Kramer. “I have no question of doubt I will eventually get killed for what I do. It goes without saying when you get in the way of those stealing billions in public funds, they will do whatever it takes to get rid of you.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/11/i-will-eventually-get-killed-meet-bryan-kramer-papua-new-guineas-anti-corruption-tsar

 

PNG National Airport Corporation boss arrested and Charged over fraud and Corruption.  Managing Director for Papua New Guinea National Airport Corporation Richard Yopo has been arrested and charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to allegations made against him.

https://news.pngfacts.com/2019/08/png-national-airport-corporation-boss.html

 

 

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

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

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

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

PR for anti-corruption / Myanmar business data / Philippines rep suspended

The Importance of Public Relations in the Fight against Corruption (Blog).  “Of course a badly-designed PR effort can waste resources. Yet effective anticorruption PR helps accomplish several goals that other, “harder” anticorruption measures are incapable or ineffective at achieving on their own…”

Jason Kohn/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/08/09/the-importance-of-public-relations-in-the-fight-against-corruption/

 

MBEI: Measuring Myanmar’s business landscape with data for policymakers (Interview).  “Businesses require [government transparency] in order to effectively comply with law, but they also use it to plan for growth. For this reason, [it] cuts across many of the issues most important to Myanmar businesses, including land, corruption, regulation and more.”

Thompson Chau and Jon Keesecker: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/mbei-measuring-myanmars-business-landscape-data-policymakers.html

 

Sandiganbayan suspends Romblon solon over graft case.  The Philippines anti-graft court has ordered the preventive suspension for 90 days of Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus Madrona in connection with the alleged irregular purchase of fertilizers without public bidding, based on Section 13 of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which requires preventive suspension for government officials facing charges for “fraud upon government funds”.

Gabriel Pabico Lalu/Inquirer.net: https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1153144/sandiganbayan-suspends-romblon-solon-over-graft-case

Malaysia car inspection / Singapore shell accounts / Nepal CCIA operations

Graft putting unsafe vehicles on the road, says Puspakom man.  A Puspakom officer has alleged that corruption is rife among officers in the mobile service of the vehicle inspection monopoly; the mobile inspectors would take bribes to give the all-clear for vehicles that are not roadworthy – the amount depending on the complexity of the problem with the vehicle.

Minderjeet Kaur/Free Malaysia Today:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/08/12/graft-putting-unsafe-vehicles-on-the-road-says-puspakom-man/

 

Singapore steps up scrutiny of shell firms to combat money laundering.  Valerie Tay, who heads the anti-money laundering department at the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said banks had closed accounts of several onshore shell companies over the past year, after detecting unlawful transactions.

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-cenbank/singapore-steps-up-scrutiny-of-shell-firms-to-combat-money-laundering-idUSKCN1V2231

 

Anti-graft body steps up sting operation against corruption.  “According to statistics maintained by [Nepal’s Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority], it arrested at least 41 persons with bribe during sting operations conducted at different places of the country over a period of less than one month of the current fiscal [year].”

The Himalayan Times: https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/anti-graft-body-steps-up-sting-operation-against-corruption/

China companies crackdown / Philippines gifts-bribery remark / Afghanistan ghost soldiers

Baidu, Alibaba, and Tencent’s war on corruption.  “[China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection], despite its interest in using tech company corruption cases to promote its anti-graft message, does not have jurisdiction over these tech giants, which are predominantly private business.”

Luna Lin/KrAsia: https://www.kr-asia.com/baidu-alibaba-and-tencents-war-on-corruption

 

Palace on Duterte’s ‘gifts-not bribery’ remark: Abogado ang Pangulo.  “Citing Republic Act 3019, [the Philippines Presidential Spokesperson] Panelo clarified that the anti-graft provisions do not apply to “unsolicited gifts or presents of small or insignificant value offered or given as a mere ordinary token of gratitude or friendship according to local customs or usage.”

Prince Golez/Politiko: https://politics.com.ph/palace-on-dutertes-gifts-not-bribery-remark-abogado-ang-pangulo/

 

Afghanistan Loses 42,000 Troops in Crackdown on 'Ghost Soldiers'.  “the number of Afghan troops and police on the books fell significantly, the report [from the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction] found, likely the result of the elimination of so-called "ghost" soldiers from the records…Previous SIGAR reports have cited the practice by corrupt Afghan commanders of listing non-existent troops or police on their rosters to draw their salaries, which are paid by the U.S.”

Richard Sisk/Military.com: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/08/02/afghanistan-loses-42000-troops-crackdown-ghost-soldiers.html

Afghanistan new project / Myanmar corruption culture / Bangladesh education recommendations

Anti-Corruption Efforts in Afghanistan to be Strengthened.  The Afghanistan Anti-Corruption, Transparency, Integrity and Openness (ACTION) Project, funded by the Royal Danish Embassy and to be implemented by UNDP, is designed to provide technical support to the government’s justice institutions, namely the Anti-corruption Justice Center (ACJC) to enhance their capacity to address high-level corruption cases.

United Nations Development Programme: http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2019/Anti-Corruption-tobe-Strengthened.html

 

Myanmar struggles to tackle corruption culture.  A survey commissioned by the ACC earlier this year supported that corruption thrived among government staff, with 90% of the respondents saying they experienced difficulty doing the business with the government unless they bribed officials.

Kyaw Ye Lynn/Andalou Agency: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/myanmar-struggles-to-tackle-corruption-culture/1552524

 

TIB places proposals for ensuring quality education.  For International Youth Day, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) placed 12 recommendations to ensure quality education for sustainable development of the country’s younger generation, among which includes “[e]nsuring merit-based recruitment process devoid of corruption in every government and private sector.” 

The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/city/international-youth-day-2019-tib-places-proposals-ensuring-quality-education-1782508

Fair business update / MNCs extraterritorial law / 'Zero Tolerance' criticisms

UNDP Fair Biz in ASEAN Quarterly Newsletter.  Check out UNDP ‘Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN’ project’s the latest updates for the period of May to July 2019, with highlights in areas of multi-stakeholder engagement, business integrity, and anti-corruption measures.

United Nations Development Programme: https://mailchi.mp/226680fb64f1/fairbizinasean-302327?e=5997629835

 

We Need An Extraterritorial Law To Hold Companies Responsible For Clean Global Supply Chains (Blog).  “…thanks to pervasive corruption in much of the developing world, cutthroat competition for [Multi-National Companies] customers will inevitably lead to more disasters like Rana Plaza [in Bangladesh], unless MNCs make it clear that they won’t buy from suppliers who violate local health or safety laws.”

Disha Verma/The Global Anticorruption Blog:  https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/08/05/we-need-an-extraterritorial-law-to-hold-companies-responsible-for-clean-global-supply-chains/

 

Even “Tough on Corruption” Proponents Should Worry about “Zero Tolerance” Rules (Blog).  “The question then becomes whether it is better to maintain a formal “zero tolerance” position, while recognizing that in practice deviations are inevitable, or whether it would be better to formally and frankly acknowledge that harsh mandatory sanctions are not always appropriate, and to build in exceptions and some degree of balancing into the official legal framework.”

Guy Rubinstein/The Global Anticorruption Blog:  https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/08/02/even-tough-on-corruption-proponents-should-worry-about-zero-tolerance-rules/ 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (10 August 2019): PNG, Fiji

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG: some reform suggestions.  “The first, and indeed the reform being emphasised by the Marape administration itself, is to fix governance. No one can argue against the proposition that PNG, its people and its economy would benefit from less corruption and stronger law and order.”

https://www.devpolicy.org/png-some-reform-suggestions-20190808/

Former PNG chief justice to lead UBS inquiry.  Papua New Guinea's recently retired Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia will chair the commission of inquiry into the controversial UBS loan.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/396247/former-png-chief-justice-to-lead-ubs-inquiry

Reduce crime, corruption to take back PNG, says Manning.  In support of the government’s intent on “taking back PNG”, crime and corruption must be reduced significantly, says acting Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations David Manning.

https://postcourier.com.pg/reduce-crime-corruption-take-back-png-says-manning/

 

FIJI:

Ministry employee faces corruption charges.  The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption charged Dinesh Dayal and Rajeshwar Prasad with a joint count of conspiracy to defraud causing a loss and one count each of obtaining a financial advantage.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/court/ministry-employee-faces-corruption-charges/  

 

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

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

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

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

Myanmar responsible business / Indonesia rector election / India government's argument

Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business August Newsletter.  Read about what has been happening in Myanmar on the responsible business conduct and business integrity agenda – including the work with SMEs done in partnership with UNDP.

Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business: https://mailchi.mp/myanmar-responsiblebusiness/2019-08

 

Corruption major issue in rector election.  As several Indonesian state universities kicked off the election of their new rectors recently, academic authorities and civil society organizations are calling on election committees and other related stakeholders to stay away from corrupt practices and conflict of interest in the process. Some officials have already approached KPK to ask the antigraft body to help safeguard the process.

Kharishar Kahfi/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/08/06/corruption-major-issue-in-rector-election.html

 

Article 370 was elephant in the room, prevented curbing terrorism, corruption: Govt.  Amidst the debates and protests to the BJP-led government’s move to reduce the autonomy of the states for Jammu and Kashmir granted by Article 370, the government issued a detailed booklet explaining the rationale behind the revocation of Article 370 and provision of 35A, that anti-corruption provisions like Right to Information and Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) were not application in the two states because of this article.

The Statesman: https://www.thestatesman.com/india/article-370-elephant-room-prevented-curbing-terrorism-corruption-govt-1502785892.html

Sri Lanka law amendment / China business cases / Nepal investigation process

Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption agency to introduce sweeping legislation to curb graft.  Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Director General Sarath Jayamanne revealed that the new proposed amendments to several acts would allow the CIABOC to investigate and charge corrupt practices in the private sector, while holding public officials, including politicians, more accountable.

Daily Mirror: http://www.dailymirror.lk/business-news/Sri-Lankas-anti-corruption-agency-to-introduce-sweeping-legislation-to-curb-graft/273-172145 

 

Dozens of employees at Baidu and Didi fired for corruption.  Baidu, whose paid listing scheme was previously involved in healthcare industry scandals, has fired 14 staffs linked to 12 internal corruption cases, and said that it will transfer some of the cases to the police for further investigation as well.

Luna Lin/KrAsia: https://kr-asia.com/dozens-of-employees-at-baidu-and-didi-fired-for-corruption

 

Suspected suicides by people under graft probe highlight need to revamp investigation process.  “Anti-corruption activists say corrupt people should face penalty—fine and jail terms as per the law…[b]ut in order to discourage any untoward move from the suspect(s), [Khem Raj Regmi, president of Transparency International Nepal] said, the anti-graft agency should keep the names of the accused until there is credible evidence against the individuals.

Prithvi Man Shrestha/Eleven Myanmar: https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/suspected-suicides-by-people-under-graft-probe-highlight-need-to-revamp-investigation-process

Anti-money laundering tech / Singapore site manager / Philippines SEA Games

Troops Wanted: Anti Money Laundering Tech needs the right talent to win battle against criminals (Blog).  “Anti-money laundering tech is not sophisticated enough across the board to consistently fight back against determined fraudsters who are also investing in new tactics. Some are winning the battle but for the war to be won, the partnership of intelligent and high scale IT with skilled people at the helm must form quickly.”

Gareth Williams/Finextra: https://www.finextra.com/blogposting/17697/troops-wanted-anti-money-laundering-tech-needs-the-right-talent-to-win-battle-against-criminals

 

Former site manager fined S$30,000 for corruption.  Kolanji Govindan, a 47-year-old former site manager has been fined S$30,000 for taking bribes in exchange for recommending another firm to do scaffolding support works for his company.

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/corruption-cpib-fined-former-site-manager-11772742

 

Duterte wants SEA Games committee out of picture due to 'corruption'.  The Philippines Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, “President Duterte said he doesn't want the foundation. He wants the government to organize the SEA Games. He said that there was a lot of corruption in the private entity, so that's why the sports leaders are bickering.”

Beatrice Go/Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/sea-games/235528-duterte-wants-committee-out-due-to-corruption

UNODC anti-corruption newsletter / Accountability despite fragility / Iran elites crackdown

UNODC Anti-Corruption Newsletter: South and Southeast Asia Q2 2019.  

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime:  https://www.unodc.org/documents/southeastasiaandpacific//topics/anti-corruption/UNODC_AC_Newsletter_Q2_2019.html

 

Accountability Despite Fragility: Lessons for Supporting Budget Transparency in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Settings (Blog).  “Rather than seeing fragility and conflict as barriers to budget transparency work, donors should see them as opportunities to help rebuild budget systems in ways that embed transparency and accountability for aligning spending with citizens needs.”

Alden LeClair/Transparency and Accountability Initiative: https://www.transparency-initiative.org/blog/5209/supporting-budget-transparency-in-fragile-and-conflict-affected-settings/

 

Iran's crackdown on corruption reaches elites.  “The judges who issued the hefty verdicts earned praise for dodging pressure from powerful politicians…The Iranian judiciary has been traditionally controlled by hard-liners and reports solely to the country's supreme leader, leaving many wondering if the anti-corruption drive will transcend the political divide and remain nonpartisan.”

Al-Monitor: https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/07/iran-crackdown-corruption-jail-sentences.html 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (3 Aug 2019): Solomon Islands, PNG, Samoa, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia

Training in the Pacific. Fourteen representatives from seven Pacific countries undertake Ombudsman investigator training in Fiji, following a two-day workshop in March in Vanuatu when the Office of the New Zealand Ombudsman delivered training on prison investigations and inspections.

http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2019/07/training-in-the-pacific/

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomons govt to launch anti-corruption commission this year.  The Solomon Islands government is planning to launch the country's first Independent Commission Against Corruption before the end of the year.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/395598/solomons-govt-to-launch-anti-corruption-commission-this-year

Police Urges Public to Raise Complaints Through Right Channel.  Provincial Police Commander (PPC) of Temotu Province pointed out: “RSIPF officers shall not commit or attempt to commit an act of corruption or abuse of power as clearly stipulated in schedule 1, regulation 3 of the Police Act 2013 –Regulations 2013, but public are encouraged to provide evidence to the Professional Standards and Internal Investigation (PSII) Department if any RSIPF officer is allegedly involved in any corruption act or abuse of power.”

https://www.solomontimes.com/news/police-urges-public-to-raise-complaints-through-right-channel/9246

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

Learning to fly: piloting research in Papua New Guinea.  The research, eventually conducted across four provinces, aimed at better understanding public servants’ perceptions and experiences of good governance and corruption.

https://www.devpolicy.org/learning-to-fly-piloting-research-in-papua-new-guinea-20190731/

New PNG Police minister to target Paladin. UBS Papua New Guinea's Police Minister, Bryan Kramer, has pledged to investigate links between controversial security contractor Paladin and former prime minister Peter O'Neill, while calling out investment bank UBS for its "fishy" dealings in the Pacific nation.

https://www.afr.com/policy/foreign-affairs/new-png-police-minister-to-target-paladin-ubs-20190726-p52b36

PNG: Marape’s blueprint for change in a fast vanishing honeymoon.  The establishment of a commission to fight endemic corruption in his country will also be well received.

https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/png-marape-s-blueprint-change-fast-vanishing-honeymoon

 

SAMOA:

Samoa police officer charged for acceptingbribe.  A police officer in Samoa has been arrested and charged with accepting a bribe in relation to a drug smuggling case.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/395706/samoa-police-officer-charged-for-accepting-bribe

 

FIJI:

Fiji to Teach Schoolchildren to Recognize and Resist Corruption Alongside their English, History, and Social Studies classes, Fiji’s 9 to 18-year-olds will soon be learning about integrity and the importance of recognizing and resisting corruption, as part of the Pacific island’s push to immunize an entire generation to nepotism and graft. 

https://www.occrp.org/en/27-ccwatch/cc-watch-briefs/10338-fiji-to-teach-schoolchildren-to-recognize-and-resist-corruption

Corruption exists in many forms: FICAC.  Fiji Independent CommissionAgainst Corruption (FICAC) Acting Deputy Commissioner Rashmi Aslam says corruption is known to cripple development and prosperity, wherever it dwells and as a country – Fiji cannot afford to lose the spirits of the future generations to this evil, at the launch of their National Anti-Corruption Curriculum in Suva yesterday which will be implemented in Primary and Secondary schools from Years 5 – 13.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/corruption-exists-in-many-forms-and-is-widespread-ficac/

 

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA:

President Panuelo Opens Workshop for the Development & Implementation of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy in the FSM.  His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), addressed the participants and attendees of the Workshop for the Development and Implementation of a National Anti-Corruption Strategy for the FSM.

https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/123-president-panuelo-opens-workshop-for-the-development-implementation-of-a-national-anti-corruption-strategy-in-the-fsm?Itemid=177

 

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

Annika Wythes, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, annika.wythes@un.org

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

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

Indonesia KPK selection / LGBTI rights connection / Viet Nam activist jailed

Anticorruption campaigners call for Jokowi to intervene in KPK race.  “Apart from the controversial figures vying for the KPK’s top posts, constitutional law expert Feri Amsari of Andalas University in West Sumatra also criticized the selection team’s decision not to include wealth reports (LHKPN) as a requirement in the selection process, adding that the President would be responsible if the KPK failed to operate effectively.”

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/07/30/anticorruption-campaigners-call-for-jokowi-to-intervene-in-kpk-race.html  

 

LGBTI+ Rights and Corruption: What’s the Connection? (Blog).  “Reduction of extortion risks and economic losses through the inclusion of LGBTI+ people are businesses’ chance to effectively match moral commitments with financial interests by engaging more stakeholders, which is CIPE’s specialty.”

James Reston/Center for International Private Enterprise: https://www.cipe.org/blog/2019/03/27/lgbti-rights-and-corruption-whats-the-connection/

 

Vietnam anti-corruption activist gets 30 months in jail.  Activist Ha Van Nam was sentenced for inciting drivers to repeatedly block a highway toll station in Bac Ninh province to protest against newly applied fees that Nam considered to be unfair for local residents.

ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/vietnam-anti-corruption-activist-30-months-jail-64652965