Malaysia procurement plan / Myanmar upcoming elections / Indonesia laments clemency

Malaysia’s new plan to address corruption in public procurement (Video interview).  Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, Deputy Director-General of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity & Anti-Corruption (GIACC), talks about the country’s efforts to promote integrity in public procurement.

Dr. Anis Yusal Yusoff and United Nations Development Programme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f4qdRWRJZY&feature=youtu.be

 

Elections obscure Myanmar’s economic outlook (Opinion).  “Election rules also place very few restrictions on company donations to politicians, beyond a ban on donations from foreign organizations or companies. The government still has a lot to do to bring its election laws in line with the UN Convention against Corruption, which calls on states to “enhance transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and, where applicable, the funding of political parties.”

Thompson Chau/Asia Times: https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/11/article/elections-obscure-myanmars-economic-outlook/

 

KPK, activists slam Jokowi’s clemency for graft convict Annas Maamun.  “The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and anticorruption activists have lamented President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s decision to grant clemency to former Riau governor Annas Maamun [who was convicted of accepting over Rp 1.5 billion in bribes in a forest conversion case that caused Rp 5 billion (US$375,460) in state losses], making him eligible for parole in October 2020.”

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/11/27/kpk-activists-slam-jokowis-clemency-for-graft-convict-annas-maamun.html

Republic of Korea foreign bribery / New KickBack podcast / Thailand censure debate

Samsung Heavy Industries to pay $75M in foreign bribery case.  “Samsung Heavy Industries, a South Korea-based engineering company, will pay total criminal penalties of $75.5 million to enforcement authorities in the United States and Brazil to resolve violations arising out of a scheme to pay millions of dollars in bribes to officials in Brazil.

Jaclyn Jaeger/Compliance Week: https://www.complianceweek.com/anti-bribery/samsung-heavy-industries-to-pay-75m-in-foreign-bribery-case/28096.article

 

New Podcast, Featuring Monika Bauhr (Blog/Podcast).  Professor Bauhr discusses her research work in three key areas: (1) the impact of pro-transparency reforms (particularly the adoption of freedom of information laws) on corruption; (2) the disaggregation of the broad category “corruption” into different types of corruption (such as “need” corruption versus “greed” corruption); and (3) the relationship between gender and corruption, in particular what factors might account for the apparent correlation between greater representation of women in elected office (or the business or political elite more generally) and lower (perceived) corruption levels.

Matthew Stephenson and Monika Bauhr/KickBack: The Global Anticorruption Podcast: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/11/26/new-podcast-featuring-monika-bauhr/

 

Opposition to target economy, corruption in censure debate.  “The opposition [in Thailand] is ready to censure the government for its mishandling of the economy, policies it says benefit big businesses and alleged corruption in government agencies, according to Pheu Thai Party chief strategist Sudarat Keyuraphan.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1800054/opposition-to-target-economy-corruption-in-censure-debate

Fair business update / Government integrity key / Indonesia revolution betrayed

UNDP Fair Biz in ASEAN Newsletter.  Check out UNDP ‘Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN’ project’s the latest updates for the period of August-November 2019, with highlights in areas of business integrity and public procurement.

United Nations Development Programme: https://mailchi.mp/85dc73a7b820/fairbizinasean-11993999?e=e25eae1c8c

 

Government integrity holds key to tackling corporate corruption—study.  “Financial incentives and criminal punishment will not root out corrupt business practices, but a government culture of honesty, integrity and strong leadership could help to cure corruption [according to a recent research from Birmingham Business School]”

University of Birmingham/Phys.org: https://phys.org/news/2019-11-key-tackling-corporate-corruptionstudy.html

 

A revolution betrayed: The tragedy of Indonesia's Jokowi (Opinion).  “Jokowi has seemingly embraced the age-old notion of "efficient corruption", which presupposes that a degree of corruption is inevitable for rapid economic growth.”    

Richard Javad Heydarian/Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/revolution-betrayed-tragedy-indonesia-jokowi-191124104212545.html

Sri Lanka president's case / Malaysia party member / India Uttar Pradesh complaints

Corruption charges dropped as Gotabaya Rajapaksa has immunity as new Sri Lanka President.  “Corruption charges against Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa were dropped on Thursday (Nov 21) by a court, which handed his passport back as he acquired immunity from prosecution after being elected last weekend.

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/south-asia/corruption-charges-dropped-against-immune-new-sri-lanka-president-gotabaya-rajapaksa

 

Sacked allegedly for graft, Bera PKR chief claims booted out without due process.  “Zakaria Abdul Hamid, who was expelled from the PKR party for alleged corruption claims, has claimed he was not given the chance to explain himself…[although the] disciplinary board chairman Datuk Ahmad Kassim said the decision…is with immediate effect after the party received a letter from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission dated October 23 on the allegations which are said to have happened during last year’s party elections.

Kenneth Lee/Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/11/25/sacked-allegedly-for-graft-bera-pkr-chief-claims-booted-out-without-due-pro/1812995   

 

Corruption in Agra Municipal Corporation, 2 state ministers file complaint.  “Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Raosaheb Dadarao Danve… who also heads the Public Distribution Ministry as its MoS, had recently said that till October 31, he had received 807 complaints of corruption in the [Public Distribution System], out of which 328 were of Uttar Pradesh.”

Siraj Qureshi/India Today: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/up-agra-municipal-corporation-corruption-commission-complaints-1621347-2019-11-21

Law enforcement necessary / KickBack podcast China / Blended finance transparency

Aggressive Criminal Law Enforcement Is Insufficient to Combat Systemic Corruption. But That Doesn’t Mean It’s Not Necessary (Blog).  “After all, while there are plenty of punishment-focused anticorruption crackdowns that failed to produce systemic change, I can’t think of any successful efforts to get rampant corruption under control that didn’t involve a hefty dose of aggressive enforcement of the laws against corruption, including prosecution and punishment.”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/11/19/aggressive-criminal-law-enforcement-is-insufficient-to-combat-systemic-corruption-but-that-doesnt-mean-its-not-necessary/

 

New Podcast Episode, Featuring David Barboza (Blog/Podcast).  “Mr. Barboza [a Pulitzer Prize winning New York Times correspondent] discusses the current anticorruption drive headed by President Xi Jinping, and whether this crackdown represents a serious effort to get at the sorts of problems that Mr. Barboza’s reporting helped to reveal, or whether the current crackdown is more of a politically motivated effort to weaken rival factions without fundamentally changing the system.”

Matthew Stephenson and David Barboza/KickBack: The Global Anticorruption Podcast: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/11/12/new-podcast-episode-featuring-david-barboza/ 

 

Better Blending: The role of the World Bank in promoting transparency in blended finance.  “The limited availability of data about blended projects’ commercial performance is widely seen as one of the key “bottlenecks holding back private investments in emerging markets.”…public disclosure of more information about blending’s developmental outcomes has the potential to enhance downward social accountability to affected communities.”

Matthew Jenkins/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/better-blending-the-role-of-the-world-bank-in-promoting-transparency-in-blended-finance-42dedb2e715a

 

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (23 November 2019): PNG, Marshall Islands, Nauru

Beyond Hong Kong: China censors freedom of expression in the Pacific. The military threat of the Chinese Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army Navy in the South China Sea is well-known. Less obvious is the subversion of Pacific island Countries by exploiting corruption in their local governments

https://noqreport.com/2019/11/18/beyond-hong-kong-china-censors-freedom-expression-pacific/

 

PNG:

Paraka seeks to stop indictment presentation. A motion seeking to stop the Public Prosecutor from performing his function, in presenting an ex-officio indictment in court to proceed a criminal trial against the principal of Paraka lawyers, will be heard in the National court next month.

http://www.looppng.com/png-news/paraka-seeks-stop-indictment-presentation-88413

 

MARSHALL ISLANDS:

Exclusion of postal votes protects integrity - Marshalls' President. The Marshall Islands President says a court decision ruling out postal voting by overseas citizens will protect the integrity of the voting system.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/403444/exclusion-of-postal-votes-protects-integrity-marshalls-president

 

NAURU:

Trial begins over 2015 anti-government protest on Nauru. The long-delayed trial of a group of activists and former politicians involved in an anti-government corruption protest on Nauru in 2015 began in the country’s High Court on November 14. The so-called ‘Nauru 19’—now reduced to 15 people—face charges including rioting and disrupting the legislature.

 

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

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org

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

Thailand 2020 target / London summit progress / Malaysia key pillars

Anti-graft chief sets 2020 target.  “[Thailand’s] National Anti-Counter Corruption Commission (NACC) has pledged to wrap up at least 15 corruption cases by the end of next year…several of these cases are highly controversial such as the 2013 floodwater management affair, government-to-government rice-pledging deals, temple fund embezzlement, the Rolls-Royce bribery scandal, and the Uea Arthorn Housing project.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/1797009/anti-graft-chief-sets-2020-target

 

‘Clusters of Progress’ in Anti-Corruption Reforms (Blog).  “Three years have passed since more than 40 countries gathered at the Anti-Corruption Summit in London and made specific pledges for tackling corruption…only 31 per cent of commitments are deemed ‘complete’.”

Rose Whiffen/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/clusters-of-progress-in-anti-corruption-reforms-3d24a297965b

 

‘Being transparent and accountable are key pillars’.  “Pakatan Harapan has been reminded to uphold the pillars of transparency and accountability, including living up to its promise of not working with PAS or Umno anymore, says Datuk Dr Rais Hussin,…a strategist with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia”

Zakiah Koya, Tarrence Tan, and Clarissa Chung/The Star:https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/11/21/being-transparent-and-accountable-are-key-pillars

Malaysia watchdog doubted / Indonesia political economy / Bhutan vocational curriculum

Malaysia’s Corruption Watchdog Faces Questions Over Effectiveness (Opinion).  “…how much bite the MACC has totally depends upon the attorney general who is part of the executive government. Should there be any future realignment of political parties in the parliament, the MACC as a political tool is there.”

Murray Hunter/Asia Sentinel: https://www.asiasentinel.com/blog/malaysia-corruption-watchdog-effectiveness/

 

The ‘real Jokowi’ is no corruption-buster (Editorial).  “Most international observers see the relationship between controlling corruption and boosting Indonesia’s economic performance as axiomatic…Things look different to many of the Indonesian elites [who] frame the aggressive pursuit of corrupt officials as politically disruptive.”

East Asia Forum: https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2019/11/18/the-real-jokowi-is-no-corruption-buster/

 

TVET Modular Curriculum Validation.  Bhutan’s Anti-Corruption Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Human Resources validated the draft modular curriculum on Ethics, Integrity and Professionalism for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Institutions which would be introduced across all the trades in six Technical Training Institutes and two Institutes for Zorig Chusum starting from the fall semester, 2020.

Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan:https://www.acc.org.bt/?q=node/2141

Viet Nam business associations / Malaysia helps companies / US-China FCPA case

Business associations lead way to promote business integrity in Vietnam.  In Vietnam, 11 Business Associations have officially signed the Business Integrity Pledge to uphold the core values of integrity, ethical behavior, and accountability. It is one of the key activities of the Government and Business Integrity Initiative (GBII) implemented by VCCI under the UNDP’s Regional Project “Promoting A Fair Business Environment in ASEAN”.

Ngoc Thuy/Hanoi Times: http://hanoitimes.vn/business-associations-lead-way-in-promoting-business-integrity-in-vietnam-300142.html

 

MACC ready to help companies identify gaps in anti-corruption plans.  “The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is prepared to help commercial organisations to identify the gaps or the uncovered areas in their anti-corruption plans ahead of the enforcement of Section 17A of the MACC Act in June next year.”

Bernama: http://bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1790999

 

U.S. charges two former Herbalife executives in China over bribery scheme: source.  “U.S. prosecutors criminally charged two former executives of Herbalife Nutrition Ltd’s (HLF.N) Chinese unit with running a decade-long scheme to bribe Chinese government officials to win business and evade regulatory scrutiny,”

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-herbalife-corruption-charges/u-s-charges-two-former-herbalife-executives-in-china-over-bribery-scheme-source-idUSKBN1XO2RR

Indonesia regional elections / Iran-China anti-corruption cooperation / Bhutan Anti-Corruption Act

Good outweighs bad in direct regional elections (Opinion).  “Nearly 15 years after the first direct regional elections were held in Indonesia, the government and the country’s biggest political parties have signaled their intention to abolish direct public participation in electing local leaders, citing high costs that could lead to increased corruption.”

Karina M. Tehusijarana/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/11/18/good-outweighs-bad-in-direct-regional-elections.html

 

Iran, China to broaden anti-corruption cooperation.  “In a meeting between chief of Iran’s General Inspection Organization (GIO) Hassan Darvishian and his Chinese counterpart Chen Gu Meng in Tehran, both sides laid emphasis on widening Tehran-Beijing anti-corruption cooperation.”

Tehran Times: https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/442069/Iran-China-to-broaden-anti-corruption-cooperation 

 

Trongsa Court orders Anti-Corruption Act amendment.  “[Bhutan’s] court ruled that [the Anti-Corruption Commission] and the Parliament should amend the Anti-Corruption Act to ensure the care and custody of immovable properties once ACC seizes it.”

Tashi Dema/Kuensel: http://www.kuenselonline.com/trongsa-court-orders-anti-corruption-act-amendment/

Viet Nam business integrity / Thailand constructor's shares / Sri Lanka writer stabbed

VCCI and UNDP promote business integrity in Viet Nam.  To help businesses implement the new Anti-Corruption Law, the UNDP and VCCI have developed a business integrity pledge for business associations. With this pledge, business associations commit themselves to promote business integrity and encourage their members to comply with the 2018 Anti-Corruption Law.

Viet Nam News: https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/538388/vcci-and-undp-promote-business-integrity-in-viet-nam.html#zRQISeQFXYwQo3C0.97

 

Bribery Claim Sparks 23% Slump in Shares of Thai Builder.  Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Pcl fell as much as 23%, the biggest slide since December 2006, after the National Anti-Corruption Commission said it’s seeking charges against the firm’s President Pakpoom Srichamni, and others, related to a bribe of 20 million baht ($661,000) paid to four government officials, to allow three ships to use a port the vessels were too big for.

Anuchit Nguyen/Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-13/bribery-claim-sparks-23-slump-in-shares-of-major-thai-builder

 

Sri Lanka author stabbed ahead of key polls.  “Assailants called book ‘Wasteful Development and Corruption’ an attack on Rajapaksa campaign”

Asia Times: https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/11/article/sri-lanka-author-stabbed-ahead-of-key-polls/

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (16 November 2019): PNG, Fiji, Vanuatu, Nauru, Samoa

PNG:

Corruption Leaders, Public Servants, Police Officers will be prosecuted, says Minister Kramer. Police minister Bryan Kramer says he will make sure all corrupt politicians, public servants and police officers whose names are on his list are brought to justice and prosecuted.

https://postcourier.com.pg/corrupt-leaders-public-servants-police-officers-will-be-prosecuted-says-minister-kramer/

Tactical approach deployed to pursue former PNG PM's arrest. Papua New Guinea's police minister has indicated that a new arrest warrant for former prime minister Peter O'Neill is being pursued.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/403018/tactical-approach-deployed-to-pursue-former-png-pm-s-arrest

 

FIJI:

Council Staff under radar for alleged corrupt practices. Minister Premila Kumar said was now underway to have processes done in municipal councils in a much more transparent and accountable manner.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/11/14/council-staff-under-radar-for-alleged-corrupt-practices/

2 people facing charges of money laundering and fraudulent falsification of accounts to take plea on the 10th December. Two people who are facing charges of money laundering and fraudulent falsification of accounts will take their plea on the 10th of December this year.

https://fijivillage.com/news/2-people-facing-charges-of-money-laundering-and-fraudulent-falsification-of-accounts-to-take-plea-on-the-10th-December-2r9k5s/

 

VANUATU:

Vanuatu has cancelled my work permit; it’s a dark day for media freedom.  Vanuatu’s Daily Post has always held the government to account and will continue to do so, with or without me as editor. 

https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2019/nov/11/vanuatu-has-cancelled-my-work-permit-its-a-dark-day-for-media-freedom

 

NAURU:

Nauru 19: Australian judge blasts 'appalling' persecution of protesters. It began in 2015, when demonstrators – including current or former MPs and presidents – gathered outside Nauru’s parliament following the expulsion of three members who had criticised the government in foreign media, amid allegations of corruption and the sacking and deportation of two judges.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/15/nauru-19-australian-judge-blasts-appalling-persecution-of-protesters

 

Our aid ‘corrupts power’ in Nauru. The Pacific nation of Nauru is “sliding into authoritarianism”, propped up by Australian aid money and ignored by politic¬ians, after a controversial prosecution against a handful of opposition MPs was accelerated despite none having access to lawyers.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/our-aid-corrupts-power-in-nauru/news-story/bf675cf2c98372273389359c45281c59

 

SAMOA:

Govt. moves on money laundering. The Government has moved to protect Samoa from the threat of “money laundering” and “terrorist financing” with a new digital monitoring system.

https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/53181

 

Cash transaction reporting for Samoa. The Central Bank of Samoa’s Database System on Cash Transaction Reporting has gone live! And this is part of our continuous efforts to address anti-money laundering issues, as well as countering terrorist financing.

https://www.onepng.com/2019/11/cash-transaction-reporting-for-samoa.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

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org

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

Malaysia government's challenge / Thailand universities assessed / Behavioral psychology podcast

Pakatan’s biggest challenge? Ending corruption and prospering Malaysians, says Anwar.  “The PKR president said one of the most “glaring” problems in the country is poverty, which is being enabled due to corrupt practices and the penchant for living lavishly that were endemic…”

Soo Wern Jun/Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/11/09/pakatans-biggest-challenge-ending-corruption-and-prospering-malaysians-says/1808450

 

Top-tier unis fail to impress (Editorial).  “Considering the important role universities have in fostering education for the country's future generations, [they] are supposed to champion accountability, transparency and good governance among their students. But the 2019 Integrity and Transparency Assessment (ITA) report released by the [Thailand’s] National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has raised doubts about…public universities…which are known for their academic excellence.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1791689/top-tier-unis-fail-to-impress

 

New Podcast Episode, Featuring Shaul Shalvi (Blog/Podcast).  “Nils Köbis interviews Professor Shaul Shalvi, of the University of Amsterdam’s Center for Research in Experimental Economics and Political Decision-Making (CREED), about how experimental research in behavioral psychology can help us understand corruption, and unethical behavior more generally.”

Matthew Stephenson, Nils Köbis, and Professor Shaul Shalvi/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/10/29/new-podcast-episode-featuring-shaul-shalvi/

Myanmar extractives ownership / B20 integrity prioritized / Market competition effects

Knowing who owns extractive companies will help Myanmar thrive (Opinion).  “More transparency in this area can also contribute to the Myanmar government’s ongoing efforts to build a more robust business environment, improve Myanmar’s investment attractiveness and contribute to the country’s ranking in international indexes. A level playing field, reduced corruption and lowered tax-avoidance risks will ultimately benefit the citizens of Myanmar.”

Aye Kyithar Swe and Matthieu Salomon/Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/knowing-who-owns-extractive-companies-will-help-myanmar-thrive.html

 

‘Integrity & compliance’ continues as a B20 priority (Blog).  “As Saudi Arabia prepares to assume the G20 presidency, the B20 – or Business 20 – has announced the creation of taskforces to address six thematic priorities in 2020. Featuring prominently this year again is the topic of integrity & compliance, alongside digitalization; energy, sustainability & climate change; finance & infrastructure; future of work & education; and trade & investment.”

Mirna Adjami/The FCPA Blog: https://fcpablog.com/2019/11/07/integrity-compliance-continues-as-a-b20-priority/

 

What Is the Effect of Market Competition on Corruption? Some Surprising New Findings (Blog).  “Higher levels of market competition have a statistically significant positive correlation with paying contract bribes and import bribes…[and] a statistically significant negative correlation with paying tax bribes and operating bribes.”

Haggai Porat/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/11/04/what-is-the-effect-of-market-competition-on-corruption-some-surprising-new-findings/

Indonesia environmental movement / Anti-corruption open science / Bhutan anti-corruption journey

Analysis: Indonesia’s best democratic instincts protected the rainforests of Aru from destruction. Now it’s democracy that needs saving (Blog).  “Today it may help focus the thoughts of the new Jokowi administration, to recognise that corruption and human rights violations could hamper its vision for economic development.”

The Gecko Project: https://thegeckoproject.org/analysis-indonesias-best-democratic-instincts-protected-the-rainforests-of-aru-from-destruction-803d3b3694e

 

Open science in a corruption free society (Opinion).  “…even in the health sector where modern digital medical technology [is] being introduced, the negative or cancerous factor is that politicians or officials have again got involved in corruption to get kickbacks.

Daily Mirror: http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/Open-science-in-a-corruption-free-society/172-177563

 

Curbing corruption, a long journey ahead (Opinion).  “Abuse of function, embezzlement, and bribery were the top three corruption offences in the country today. [Bhutan’s] Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) officials at a sensitisation workshop on National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Strategy (NIACS) 2019-2023…attributed these problems to weak systems, poor professionalism, and lack of ethics and integrity.”

Chimi Dema/Kuensel: http://www.kuenselonline.com/curbing-corruption-a-long-journey-ahead/

Reasons for optimism / Indonesia corruption economics / Malaysia Najib ruling

Future anti-corruption trends—four reasons to be optimistic (Blog).  “Anti-corruption experts are clear: A strong anti-corruption narrative, innovation in anti-corruption tools and new actors joining the fight are all reasons to be hopeful about the future of anti-corruption work.”

Anne Wrede/Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/future-anti-corruption-trends-4-reasons-to-be-optimistic-21d7902f980d

 

Economics of corruption: How dismal science can explain graft problem (Analysis).  “To win the sequence of games, society needs a powerful anticorruption agency, like the KPK. Mitigating corruption also requires behavioral approaches that make use of psychological insights about how individuals make choices.”

Fajar Hidayat/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/11/06/economics-corruption-how-dismal-science-can-explain-graft-problem.html

 

Graft ruling for Malaysian ex-leader a test for government.  “An important court ruling Monday in the first corruption trial of former Malaysian leader Najib Razak will be a test of the legal system and of the credibility of the prime minister who brought about his shocking ouster from office last year.”

Eileen Ng/Federal News Network: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/world-news/2019/11/graft-ruling-for-malaysian-ex-leader-a-test-for-government/

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (9 November 2019): PNG, Fiji, Tonga

PNG:

Manus, Maseratis and corruption: Peter O'Neill on eight years leading Papua New Guinea. For a former prime minister with a warrant out for his arrest and allegations of official corruption hanging over his head, Peter O’Neill is quite calm.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/06/manus-maseratis-and-corruption-peter-oneill-on-eight-years-leading-papua-new-guinea

Measures to raise efficiency in police probes and prosecutions. Police have been losing too many criminal cases in courts in the last two decades. The National’s senior reporter Clifford Faiparik talks to Crime Division Asst Comm (ACP) Hodge Ette on his plans to revamp and raise efficiency in police investigations and prosecutions.

https://www.thenational.com.pg/measures-to-raise-efficiency-in-%E2%80%89police-probes-and-prosecutions/

 

FIJI:

Plea deferred for 2 women facing fraud and dishonesty charges. Two women, who managed postal agencies for Post Fiji Limited will take their plea for charges of fraud and dishonesty in January, 2020.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/11/07/plea-deferred-for-2-women-facing-fraud-and-dishonesty-charges/

FICAC confirms investigating former Hibiscus committee. The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption confirms they have received a report on allegations of abuse by the former Hibiscus Events Group committee members.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/ficac-confirms-investigating-former-hibiscus-committee/

 

TONGA:

Equal access to justice goal for 2030. Ministers also welcomed a package of anti-corruption benchmarks, drafted by the Secretariat, designed to help governments and public sector bodies measure their anti-corruption activities, and make improvements if needed.

https://matangitonga.to/2019/11/08/equal-access-justice-goal-2030

 

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

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org

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

Myanmar labor attache / Indonesia lowered expectations / Malaysia punishment review

Myanmar Labor Attaché in Thailand Charged with Corruption.  Myanmar labor attaché U San Maung Oo, who represented migrants in Thailand, has been charged by the Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar (ACC) for asking for about 4.4 million Thai baht (US$144,000) from 28 overseas employment agencies in exchange for approving labor demand letters and for sending workers to recruitment agencies.

Zaw Zaw Htwe/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-labor-attache-thailand-charged-corruption.html

 

Indonesia Analysts Lower Expectations for Jokowi’s Second Term.  “Backtracking on corruption is all the more stark because Indonesia has been a “beacon of progress” among Southeast Asian democracies, according to the Lowy Institute.

Ha Nguyen/VoA News: https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/indonesia-analysts-lower-expectations-jokowis-second-term

 

Review punishment for graft (Opinion).  “Punishment for corruption cases should be reviewed with a view to enhance it. This could include mandatory imprisonment.

Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar/New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2019/11/535238/review-punishment-graft

Malaysia Ombudsman green-light / Myanmar EOB ranking / Ethical business shines

Putrajaya green-lights Ombudsman Malaysia, Law Commission.  Malaysia government gave the go-ahead for the setting up of the Ombudsman Malaysia, which is poised to replace the Public Complaints Bureau (BPA).

Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/11/01/putrajaya-green-lights-ombudsman-malaysia-law-commission/

 

Myanmar moves up in the Ease of Doing Business rankings.  The World Bank report pointed out that Myanmar showed substantial improvements in five areas of doing business—starting a business, dealing with construction permits, registering property, protecting minority investors, and enforcing contracts.

Mizzima: http://www.mizzima.com/article/myanmar-moves-ease-doing-business-rankings

 

Being an Ethical Business in a Corrupt Environment.  “...ethical behavior is more noticeable in corrupt environments than it would be in ethical ones; it is easier for an ethical company to stand out in a corrupt environment.”

S. Ramakrishna Velamuri, William S. Harvey, and S. Venkataraman/Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2017/03/being-an-ethical-business-in-a-corrupt-environment

 

Corruption research challenges / Indonesia public information / Bangladesh RTI use

The challenges in researching enablers of the corrupt (Blog).  “Research conducted…suggests that real estate agents and solicitors are not filing enough [Suspicious Activity Reports] when suspicion exists, either because of a lack of knowledge of the law (which appears to be more common with real estate agents) and/or a lack of supervision and enforcement of the law in regulated sectors. This lack of supervision has resulted in very few prosecutions of individuals for a failure to report money-laundering concerns.”

Tom Mayne/Anti-Corruption Evidence: https://ace.globalintegrity.org/enablers/

 

Empowering citizens with information: improving access to social assistance in Indonesia (Brief).  “Providing information to people on benefits that they are entitled to through official channels like government ID cards can help balance the power between citizens and local officials, reducing opportunities for corruption and increasing access to social services.”

Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab: https://www.povertyactionlab.org/sites/default/files/publications/empowering-citizens-with-information_0.pdf

 

Using the right to information for investigative journalism in Bangladesh (Blog).  “An information request uncovered a counterfeiting scheme and has saved the government the equivalent of hundreds of thousands of US dollars.”

Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/using-the-right-to-information-for-investigative-journalism-in-bangladesh-8fde179a8cd7

Thailand SEA-PAC Meeting / Malaysia 1MDB deal / Informal network research

NACC Hosts 15th South East Asia Parties Against Corruption (SEA-PAC) Principals Meeting in Bangkok.  The National Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand (NACC) hosted the 15th South East Asia Parties Against Corruption (SEA-PAC) Principals Meeting and related workshops at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in Bangkok during 8-10 October 2019. The meeting offered the platform for all the ten SEA-PAC delegations to present their respective progress in anti-corruption implementation. SEA-PAC Action Plan for 2020-22 has been adopted and topics on Denying Safe Haven to Corrupt Officials and Stolen Assets, and Effective Anti-Bribery Measures for Private Sector to Prevent Bribery of Public Officials were discussed. Moreover, the SEA-PAC members jointly agreed to change the group’s name from SEA-PAC (South East Asia Parties Against Corruption) to ASEAN-PAC (ASEAN Parties Against Corruption) to reflect its status as an entity associated with ASEAN.

NACC: https://www.nacc.go.th/ewt_news.php?nid=25293&filename=index_en

 

Jho Low comes clean on 1MDB fraud role.  The Jho Low deal, if approved by a US federal judge, would help resolve forfeiture cases tied to financial, who prosecutors say orchestrated the theft of $4.5 billion from 1MDB that was funneled into buying a private jet, a super-yacht, mansions, luxury jewelry, fine art and even Hollywood movie productions.

Asia Times: https://www.asiatimes.com/2019/10/article/jho-low-comes-clean-on-1mdb-fraud-role/

 

Harnessing informality for anti-corruption practice: Shifting the unit of analysis from individuals to networks (Blog).  “Adopting a perspective that puts networks at the centre helps understand some of the shortcomings of conventional anti-corruption instruments… the informal networks we have studied often are bound together by culture-bound social norms such as loyalty, reciprocity, or solidarity, and the behaviours and expectations of members are very much shaped by the sense of belonging to the group.”

Claudia Baez Camargo/Anti-Corruption Evidence Research Programme: https://ace.globalintegrity.org/informality/

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (3 November 2019): PNG

PNG:

Corruption calls in PNG lack backing. The Phone Against Corruption initiative introduced by the Papua New Guinea Finance Department will be transferred to an independent body such as the Independent Coalition Against Corruption (ICAC) when established.

https://www.onepng.com/2019/10/corruption-calls-in-png-lack-backing.html

 

PNG police withdraw former PM's arrest warrant. Police in Papua New Guinea have withdrawn their arrest warrant against the former prime minister, Peter O'Neill.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/402205/png-police-withdraw-former-pm-s-arrest-warrant

 

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

Marine Destrez, Anti-Corruption Specialist – Pacific a.i., UNDP, marine.destrez@undp.org

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

Myanmar Chinese construction / Malaysia politician case / India youth entreated

Internationally Scandal-Tainted Chinese Company Working on Second Yangon Project.  “China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), a Chinese state-owned company that has attracted controversy for its involvement in alleged fraud, corruption and bribery in many countries, is undertaking an extension project for a four-star international hotel in Yangon.”

The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/internationally-scandal-tainted-chinese-company-working-second-yangon-project.html

 

As Nasharudin stands trial for corruption, pundits see PAS unscathed by scandal.  “PAS [Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party] is likely to emerge unhurt by the scandal that has erupted around its former deputy president Datuk Nasharudin Mat Isa, who will likely be seen as yet another victim of a vindictive government bent on crucifying anyone seen close to the previous regime, political analysts said.

Syed Jaymal Zahiid/Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/10/28/as-nasharudin-stands-trial-for-corruption-pundits-see-pas-unscathed-by-scan/1804351

 

Youth should raise voice against corruption: V-C.  Speaking at a seminar on ‘Integrity - A way of life’ as part of the Vigilance Awareness Week organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) in India, Vice-Chancellor of Sharnbasva University Niranjan Nisty said corruption was one of the major menaces dogging the country and it has been a big hurdle for the country to achieve economic prosperity.

The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/youth-should-raise-voice-against-corruption-v-c/article29808900.ece

Republic of Korea anti-corruption body / India-China strong leaders / Indonesia Jakarta budget

 

 

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Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 10:59 PM
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Subject: [ap-intact] Republic of Korea anti-corruption body / India-China strong leaders / Indonesia Jakarta budget

 

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Anti-corruption body now key political battleground (Opinion).  “legislators across the aisle do not see eye-to-eye on the proposed independent anti-corruption body and more broadly, how to achieve prosecutorial reforms.”

Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20191027000183

 

Is a strong leader enough to fight corruption? Evidence from India and China (Opinion).  “A single leader in big countries like India and China can only execute at a centralised level. The support and commitment of the regional leaders in the same direction would make the change more effective.”

Wu Alfred Muluan and Lina Vyas/Global-is-Asian: https://lkyspp.nus.edu.sg/gia/article/is-a-strong-leader-enough-to-fight-corruption-evidence-from-india-and-china

 

Rp 82 billion to buy glue: Jakarta’s draft 2020 budget raises eyebrows.  The Jakarta administration’s 2020 budget draft has caused a stir among the public after it was revealed that it had allocated Rp 82.8 billion (US$5.9 million) to purchase multipurpose glue supposedly for schoolchildren.

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/30/rp-82-billion-to-buy-glue-jakartas-draft-2020-budget-raises-eyebrows.html

 

Republic of Korea anti-corruption body / India-China strong leaders / Indonesia Jakarta budget

Anti-corruption body now key political battleground (Opinion).  “legislators across the aisle do not see eye-to-eye on the proposed independent anti-corruption body and more broadly, how to achieve prosecutorial reforms.”

Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald: http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20191027000183

 

Is a strong leader enough to fight corruption? Evidence from India and China (Opinion).  “A single leader in big countries like India and China can only execute at a centralised level. The support and commitment of the regional leaders in the same direction would make the change more effective.”

Wu Alfred Muluan and Lina Vyas/Global-is-Asian: https://www.coindesk.com/ey-launches-blockchain-tool-to-help-bring-accountability-to-public-finances

 

Rp 82 billion to buy glue: Jakarta’s draft 2020 budget raises eyebrows.  The Jakarta administration’s 2020 budget draft has caused a stir among the public after it was revealed that it had allocated Rp 82.8 billion (US$5.9 million) to purchase multipurpose glue supposedly for schoolchildren.

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/10/30/rp-82-billion-to-buy-glue-jakartas-draft-2020-budget-raises-eyebrows.html