World Bank new report / Philippines e-governance bill / IMF COVID-19 policy

Working in partnership is key to fighting corruption (Blog and Report).  “The World Bank’s new report Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency: The Fight Against Corruption… highlights the importance of complementing the traditional methods of dealing with corruption with advanced ones like GovTech, e-Procurement, Asset and Income Disclosure, and Beneficiary Ownership, which have been used in countries like Somalia, Bangladesh, Colombia, Ukraine and Romania, amongst others.”

World Bank: https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/working-partnership-key-fighting-corruption  

Direct link to report: https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-reports/documentdetail/235541600116631094/enhancing-government-effectiveness-and-transparency-the-fight-against-corruption

 

Dominguez supports e-governance proposal.  “[Philippine] Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III is throwing support behind the proposed measure seeking to digitalize all government agency services provided to the public…[he] said that Senate Bill (SB) No. 1738 or the “E-Governance Act of 2020” underscores the importance of switching to electronic governance to cut red tape, upgrade the delivery of services to the people and curb corruption in the system.”

Chino S. Leyco/Manila Bulletin: https://mb.com.ph/2020/09/28/dominguez-supports-e-governance-proposal/

 

Tracking the trillions: 6-month checkup on IMF’s COVID-19 emergency aid (Blog).  “In exchange for emergency assistance from the IMF, most governments have committed to abide by basic transparency and good governance measures, such as publishing contracts and conducting independent audits…The IMF should not let its recent improvements make it complacent about corruption.”

Sarah Saadoun, M. Emilia Berazategui, and Simon Taylor/Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/tracking-the-trillions-6-month-checkup-on-imfs-covid-19-emergency-aid

Indonesia omnibus bill / Nepal fertilizer procurement / China critic jailed

Purging corruption, corrupt officials key to effective omnibus bill: Experts.  “Indonesia needs to address corruption to improve public services so that the job creation omnibus bill can bring about the significant changes necessary to attracting investment, experts say.”

Dzulfiqar Fathur Rahman/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/09/23/purging-corruption-corrupt-officials-key-to-effective-omnibus-bill-experts.html

 

Corruption and Nepal’s chronic fertilizer crisis (Commentary).  “It is nothing new that Nepal’s farmers this year faced an acute fertiliser shortage. That there were kickbacks involved is also not a revelation… it is bound to happen again next year because there is no political will to tackle the root of the problem —  collusion between government officials and their cronies to siphon the allocated budget and profit from payoffs.”

Kaustubh Dhital/Nepali Times: https://www.nepalitimes.com/here-now/corruption-and-nepals-chronic-fertiliser-crisis/

 

Chinese tycoon and Xi critic jailed for 18 years for corruption.  Ren Zhiqiang, a Chinese real estate tycoon, once an elite among the ruling Communist Party’s inner circle, and an outspoken critic of President Xi Jinping was jailed for 18 years for "corruption, bribery and embezzlement of public funds", a court statement said.

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1989719/chinese-tycoon-and-xi-critic-jailed-for-18-years-for-corruption  

UN FACTI report / Philippines Ombudsman policy / New KickBack podcast

Corruption and tax-dodging ‘rampant’, urgent reforms needed: UN panel.  “According to the [High-Level Panel on International Financial Accountability, Transparency and Integrity to Achieve the 2030 Development Agenda (FACTI Panel)] report, diverted resources that could be used for the poor include $500 billion in Governments losses annually from profit-shifting enterprises; $7 trillion in private wealth hidden in haven countries – with 10 per cent of world GDP held offshore; and some $1.6 trillion in money laundering each year.”

UN News: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/09/1073442

 

Under Ombudsman Martires, no lifestyle checks, less criminal treatment of cases.  “Martires revealed these details…as he appealed to the House of Representatives to restore his office’s 2021 budget to the originally proposed of P4.6 billion (approx. US$94 mil)…One of the affected item in the budget cut was Personnel Services (PS), which Martires said would derail his plan of putting up a separate bureau that would solely handle the administrative aspects of a corruption case [separating it from criminal aspects].”

Lian Buan/Rappler: https://rappler.com/nation/ombudsman-under-martires-no-lifestyle-checks-less-criminal-treatment-cases

 

New Podcast Episode, Featuring James Wasserstrom (Blog/Podcast).  “In our interview, Mr. Wasserstrom and I discuss his experience as a UN whistleblower, the flaws in the UN’s whistleblower protection system, and what if anything can be done. We also discuss Mr. Wasserstrom’s ideas for providing more international support for whistleblowers in hostile environment, including his new proposal for an “integrity sanctuary” program.

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2020/09/22/new-podcast-episode-featuring-james-wasserstrom/

Japan Olympics bribery / FinCEN Files implications / Pakistan land corruption

Tokyo Olympics consulting firm paid ¥37 million to IOC member's son, papers show.  “A consulting firm for the Tokyo Olympic bid committee transferred some ¥37 million ($370,000) to the son of one-time influential IOC member Lamine Diack and his company before and after the Japanese capital was picked in September 2013 as the host city”

The Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/09/21/national/tokyo-olympics-consulting-firm-ioc-lamine-diack/

 

FinCEN files: overhaul to global anti-money laundering system needed (Statement).  “the problem is actually bigger than the FinCEN Files show. We know that most of the banks involved in major corruption scandals from the past few years didn’t even file [Suspicious Activity Reports], or only did so when details had already emerged in the media,” according to Maira Martini, Research and Policy Expert on Corrupt Money Flows at Transparency International.

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/fincen-files-overhaul-to-global-anti-money-laundering-system-needed  

 

Several PLRA officials face inquiries over corruption, fraud.  In Pakistan, the “Punjab Land Record Authority (PLRA) is going through a major overhaul, as a number of its officials are facing probes for allegedly attesting fraudulent mutations, preparing fake tax and municipal fee vouchers/receipts, receiving heavy bribes from beneficiaries and other irregularities across the province.”

Khalid Hasnain/Dawn: https://www.dawn.com/news/1580788

FinCEN Files explainer / Public spending future / Anti-corruption and human rights

FinCEN Files: All you need to know about the documents leak (Explainer).  “Leaked documents involving about $2tn of transactions have revealed how some of the world's biggest banks have allowed criminals to move dirty money around the world…Why does this matter?...Laundering money is the process of taking dirty money - the proceeds of crimes such as drug dealing or corruption - and getting it into an account at a respected bank where it will not be linked with the crime.”

BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54226107  

 

The future of public spending: responses to COVID-19.  “In a follow-up essay to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s recent report on public spending and the Sustainable Development Goals, this essay examines the implications of the current crisis, the opportunity it presents for rethinking procurement and the renewed importance of effective and sustainable public spending as countries re-open, recover and rebuild.”

The Economist Intelligence Unit: https://unops.economist.com/the-future-of-public-spending-responses-to-covid-19/    

 

Connecting the anti-corruption and human rights agendas: A guide for business and employers’ organisations (Resource).  “This guide has the following aims: (1) To compare and analyse the anti-corruption and human rights agendas to help businesses…understand the synergies and differences…(2) To contribute to emerging policy discussions…(3) To support those working on corruption risk and…human rights risks in companies with practical tips…(4) To provide users of this guie with an overview of…resources”

Business at OECD and International Organisation of Employers: https://www.ioe-emp.org/index.php?eID=dumpFile&t=f&f=147731&token=c0fecaf2120d7faf7e4214377a1754ab8170fd88    

Blockchain anti-corruption applications / India post-lockdown cases / Nepal anti-corruption performance

Bribery gets blocked: Stamping out corruption with blockchain tech (Opinion).  “Three key uses of blockchain technology in the fight to alleviate government corruption consistently emerge throughout all expert accounts: authentication of transactions, registry of official records such as ownership rights, and identity verification.”

Kirill Bryanov/Cointelegraph: https://cointelegraph.com/news/bribery-gets-blocked-stamping-out-corruption-with-blockchain-tech

 

Post unlocking, surge in anti-corruption cases in Maharashtra.  “[India’s] statistics reveal that the two lockdown months of April and May saw a reduction of 88 per cent and 61 per cent in Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) cases compared to the similar period in 2019…“During Covid-19 lockdown, there was a less number of working staff everywhere including in the ACB office. So naturally, the cases came down,” said Bansode [ACB’s superintendent of police]”

Nadeem Inamdar/Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/pune-news/post-unlocking-surge-in-anti-corruption-cases-in-maharashtra/story-47V58o3XicOmk5xN9mlJfO.html

 

I will not involve in corruption, and I won’t let others to do so: PM Oli.  Nepal’s Prime Minister “presented data of government authorities working in controlling the abuse of authority, corruption and irregularities after he came to power some two years ago. “The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority has filed 792 cases in the last two years. Similarly, the Department of Revenue Investigation has filed cases against 1027 people on revenue leakage, foreign exchange fraud and illicit financial transactions (hundi), claiming a total of NRs. 31.05 billion in fines,” said PM Oli.”

MyRepublica: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/i-will-not-involve-in-corruption-and-i-won-t-let-others-to-do-so-says-pm-oli/  

World Bank webinar / Thailand health clinics / Malaysia whistleblower fired

Enhancing government effectiveness & transparency: The fight against corruption (Webinar).  “The World Bank has undertaken a fresh assessment of challenges governments face in tackling corruption, what instruments tend to work and why, and how incremental progress is being achieved in specific country contexts. This flagship report is a timely piece of work that shows positive examples of how countries are progressing in their fight to #EndCorruption.”

World Bank: https://live.worldbank.org/enhancing-government-effectiveness-transparency-fight-against-corruption?cid=ECR_E_NewsletterWeekly_EN_EXT&deliveryName=DM78486

 

64 clinics cut off over alleged graft.  “[Thailand’s] National Health Security Office (NHSO) has terminated contracts with 64 clinics and hospitals for their alleged involvement in graft, and asked 800,000 patients affected by the contract terminations to seek state medical care and services at nearby partner clinics.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1988003/64-clinics-cut-off-over-alleged-graft  

 

Company deputy director charged with sacking whistleblower who exposed him.  “A deputy director of a Higher Education Ministry-owned company was …[charged] with causing a whistleblower who exposed the former's misconduct to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to be sacked.”

New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/news/crime-courts/2020/09/625487/company-deputy-director-charged-sacking-whistleblower-who-exposed

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (19 September 2020): Fiji, PNG, Micronesia

Pacific women urged to pursue decision making roles and fight against corruption. Pacific women have been urged to seek decision-making roles, and join boards and councils to fight corruption.

https://www.fijitimes.com/pacific-women-urged-to-pursue-decision-making-roles-and-fight-against-corruption/

 

FIJI:

Women urged to fight corruption. Chairwoman of the Women Entrepreneurs Business Council (WEBC), Eseta Nadakuitavuki has called for more women to join decision-making roles, boards and councils to fight the deadly disease of corruption.

https://www.fijitimes.com/women-urged-to-fight-corruption/

 

PNG:

Papua New Guinea police accused of gun running and drug smuggling by own minister. Papua New Guinea’s police force is the most corrupt public agency in the country, engaged in drug-smuggling, gun-running, and land theft, and beset by “a rampant culture of police ill-discipline and brutality”, its own police minister has said, in an extraordinary condemnation of his own force.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/18/papua-new-guinea-police-accused-of-gun-running-and-drug-smuggling-by-own-minister

 

Bryan Kramer: One year in – why so quiet about corruption in PNG? I note many people are asking why I am so quiet in my role as Minister for Police, after years of being vocal in the fight against corruption.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2020/09/17/bryan-kramer-one-year-in-why-so-quiet-about-corruption-in-png/

 

MICRONESIA:

Decolonising American Micronesia.  It is a credit to so many of the local leaders that in many cases they stood strongly against these attempts at special deals and outright corruption. 

https://www.policyforum.net/decolonising-american-micronesia/

 

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

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

Technology and anti-corruption / India RTI requests / COVID-19 aid missing

The role of technology and anti-corruption measures in fighting COVID-19 (Blog).  “The integrated approach adopted by the Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Singapore and the Global Anti-Corruption Programme seeks to leverage ‘technology for integrity, and integrity for technology’, and ensure that we increasingly see sustainable results from UNDP’s support to countries in facing the emerging challenges of today, focusing on governance, social protection, green economy and digital disruption.

Bradley Busetto and Anga Tamilsina/UNDP: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/the-role-of-technology-and-anti-corruption-measures-in-fighting-.html  

 

Lack of transparency over Modi’s Covid-19 relief fund hurts Indian democracy (Opinion).  “Several information seekers, including me, have tried to use India’s Right to Information (RTI) Act, which facilitates access to government files and records, to find out more details about the fund. We have been blocked, with a number of requests for information turned down by Modi’s office on the grounds that the fund is a public charitable trust and not a “public authority” as defined under the RTI act.”

Vidya Venkat/Quartz India: https://qz.com/india/1902893/lack-of-transparency-in-modis-covid-19-pm-cares-fund-hurts-india/      

 

Citizens struggle as promised COVID-19 aid goes missing (Blog).  “Governments have pledged trillions of dollars in economic stimulus to help ease the hardship—but, in many places, corruption is preventing aid from reaching the people who need it most.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/citizens-struggle-as-promised-covid-19-aid-goes-missing

Challenge fund opportunity / COVID-19 corruption reports / Republic of Korea recent developments

Government Accountability and Responsiveness during COVID-19 (Funding opportunity).  “[Asian Development Bank], in collaboration with the Open Government Partnership (OGP), aims to explore how digital technology can be leveraged to strengthen the monitoring of COVID-19 related spending and improve feedback and grievance redressal  mechanisms…The winning solution will have potential funding of USD 10,000 or more for selected pilots in ADB’s developing member countries.”

ADB and OGP: https://challenges.adb.org/en/challenges/new-normal-government-accountability-responsiveness?lang=en

 

Citizens report corruption in covid-19 humanitarian aid, quarantine, health care.  “Since January, Transparency International’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres (ALACs) operating in 60 countries have received over 1,500 reports of corruption and other irregularities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cases…describe bribery, favouritism, and other corruption acts witnessed by citizens in the delivery of humanitarian aid, the enforcement of restrictions on travel and movement, and in the provision of COVID-19 testing and treatment.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/citizens-report-corruption-in-covid-19-humanitarian-aid-quarantine-health-care   

 

Recent Developments in Anti-Corruption Enforcement in South Korea (Analysis).  “In this article, we introduce some key developments that are consistent with the Moon administration’s stated commitment…a focus on alternate forms of corruption such as corrupt hiring practices…kickbacks and bribery in the pharmaceutical industry prosecuted under charges of embezzlement and tax offences; and increased whistleblower reports, through both public and private channels.”

Hee Won Mon and Miji Song/Who’s Who Legal: https://whoswholegal.com/features/recent-developments-in-anti-corruption-enforcement-in-south-korea  

Myanmar MCRB report / Global trade integrity / Thailand judicial integrity

3^rd Communication on Engagement to the UN Global Compact (Report).  See Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business’s report, featuring major developments in the area of anti-corruption and good corporate governance according to Principle 10 of the UN Global Compact, including the work on business integrity with UNDP.

Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business: https://www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org/pdf/ungc-coe/2020.pdf   

 

Tackling corruption in the trading system through a culture of integrity (Commentary).  “Fostering a culture of integrity in the global trading system…[requires] open, transparent and meritocratic environments where there is proper enforcement and adjudication of the law. These actions include addressing structural obstacles to trade and investment, simplifying regulatory frameworks, harnessing technology to increase transparency in public functions like procurement, permitting and licensing processes, supporting trade facilitation efforts that strengthen and make customs regimes more efficient, and extending legal investment protections.”

Kendra Gaither/Global Trade: https://www.globaltrademag.com/tackling-corruption-in-the-trading-system-through-a-culture-of-integrity/   

 

Graft fight gathers steams (in Thailand).  “Vicha Mahakun, the head of a committee probing the alleged mishandling in the 2012 hit-and-run case involving the Red Bull scion, Vorayuth "Boss" Yoovidhya, says his panel will do everything in its power to restore public confidence in Thailand's justice system…the former National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) member stressed the need to stamp out graft in the judicial system and processes which have discouraged investors, most of whom do not want to pay kickbacks and/or bribe corrupt officials”

Mongkol Bangprapa/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1984663/graft-fight-gathers-steam      

Philippines national budget / Improving India's CPI / Bangladesh corruption contents

The anti-corruption challenge in the national budget (Opinion).  “As manifested by the PhilHealth scandal, combating corruption entails a multi-level and multi-sectoral synergy, where civil society, the private sector, government, and the academe act toward a unified goal. [An] action that can be taken…is tracking the national budget. While it may be a tool to advance national concerns and priorities, it could also be an instrument to fund partisan policies and projects.”

Victor Andres C. Manhit/Business World: https://www.bworldonline.com/the-anti-corruption-challenge-in-the-national-budget/

 

PIL in SC to help improve India's ranking on Corruption Perception Index.  “A [public interest litigation] has been filed in the Supreme Court [of India] seeking a direction to the Centre, states and union territories to set up expert committees to suggest steps for improving [the country’s] ranking on the global Corruption Perception Index.”

Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/pil-in-sc-to-help-improve-india-s-ranking-on-corruption-perception-index-120091300513_1.html  

 

Political contents of corruption and anti-corruption in Bangladesh (Opinion).  “…it will be naive to consider the health sector as the only villain. Put any other sector under similar stress as the health sector today and the scenario will be the same, if not worse…[Effective] delivery of anti-corruption demands a retransformation of values, norms and practices of political parties for public good and depoliticisation of the state institutions, without which there is no way corruption can be controlled.”

Iftekharuzzaman/The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/political-contents-corruption-and-anti-corruption-bangladesh-1960161   

Bangladesh youth survey / TI UNGASS demand / Nepal CIAA questioned

Information to empower youth – Survey Report 2020.  “This survey looks at the concenrs of the youth [of Bangladesh] that they think affect their potential as a person…Corruption is found to be the biggest concern”

Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury/Management and Resources Development Initiative: https://www.mrdibd.org/publications/Survey_Report_2020.pdf   

 

Three ways UNGASS 2021 can create a pathbreaking legacy in addressing grand corruption (Blog and Video).  “First, and most importantly, justice instead of impunity…Second, the enablers…to endorse public registers of benenficial ownership as a global standard…Finally, political integrity: to [curb] opaque and uneven political financing and to [redefine] the terms of corporate political engagement”

Delia Ferreira Rubio/Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/three-reform-areas-grand-corruption-ungass-2021   

 

Anti-graft body in the spotlight as questions arise over its independence (Commentary).  “A government official’s acquittal on corruption charges by the court a year after he committed suicide over graft charges filed against him has put a spotlight on [Nepal’s constitutional] anti-corruption agency and stoked a debate on its independence, relevance and need.

Prithvi Man Shretha/The Kathmandu Post: https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/09/13/anti-graft-body-in-the-spotlight-as-questions-arise-over-its-independence

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (12 September 2020): Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG

FIJI:

Women’s Anti-Corruption Toolkit Launched In Fiji.  A new Anti-corruption Toolkit for women-owned, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Fiji, was launched on Wednesday by the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project.

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2009/S00066/womens-anti-corruption-toolkit-launched-in-fiji.htm

FEO withdraws complaint about NFP from FICAC.  Registrar of Political Parties, Mohammed Saneem confirms that a complaint lodged to the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption regarding the National Federation Party has been withdrawn.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/feo-withdraws-complaint-about-nfp-from-ficac/

 

VANUATU:

Former Vanuatu PM to stand trial in November.  Salwai is facing 10 counts of bribery and corruption under the Leadership Code, and a separate charge of perjury.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/425746/former-vanuatu-pm-to-stand-trial-in-november

 

PNG:

Audit report slams ‘flawed’ PNG health management, ‘extravagant lifestyles’.  “Our medical supply and distribution systems have been compromised because the (Health Department) allowed this to happen by either complacency, incompetence, design and or greed,” Sir John said.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2020/09/10/audit-report-slams-flawed-png-health-management-extravagant-lifestyles/

 

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

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

Anti-corruption compliance motivation / Philippines health sector vulnerabilities / IACA online programmes

What really motivates anti-corruption compliance? (Webinar).  “The new OECD Study on “Corporate Anti-Corruption Compliance Drivers, Mechanisms and Ideas for Change” will be launched during a webinar on 23 September 2020 [15:00 Paris time]… Panellists will also discuss some of the main challenges faced by companies looking to implement anti-corruption programmes, and explore potential solutions, including ways for governments, international organisations, and civil society to better support and accompany companies in their anti-corruption efforts.”

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development: https://meetoecd1.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kURiKAHPQh2Yc3YSbQDAxQ

 

Commentary: Addressing corruption vulnerabilities in COVID-19 pandemic.  “In a forum on “Fighting the Pandemic of Corruption” organized by Transparency International-Philippines…[the] main risk areas identified were: (1) withholding accurate health data, (2) procurement contract awards, (3) substandard equipment, (4) prescription of branded over generic drugs, and (5) health budget embezzlement.”

Francisco Magno/The Philippine Star: https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/news-feature/2020/09/05/2040298/commentary-addressing-corruption-vulnerabilities-covid-19-pandemic  

 

IACA programmes move online, still accepting applications.  The International Anti-Corruption Academy is still accepting applications for the two Master’s programmes which will now be conducted online, with optional in-person components. See the two links below for more details. Please note that those seeking scholarships should apply by 15 September, while the general application deadline is 20 September 2020.

Master in Anti-Corruption Studies (MACS): https://www.iaca.int/iaca-programmes/academic-programmes/master-in-anti-corruption-studies

International Master in Anti-Corruption Compliance and Collective Action (IMACC): https://www.iaca.int/iaca-programmes/academic-programmes/imacc.html

Thailand gender-inclusive infrastructure / Myanmar exposé blocked / Indonesia collective action

Advancing gender-inclusive infrastructure (Blog and Report).  “In Thailand and in many other contexts infrastructure is in both practice and perception a male-dominated sector…[‘Enhancing inclusive infrastructure: A review of gender equality in CoST Thailand’] outlines key ways to address this including…a gender-specific annual review and developing a system to capture female representation.”

CoST – the Infrastructure Transparency Initiative: http://infrastructuretransparency.org/news/advancing-gender-inclusive-infrastructure/  

 

Government blocks access to website of group exposing military’s business ties.  “The Myanmar government has blocked access to the website of [Justice for Myanmar,] a group of activists working to expose high-level corruption and shine light on the military’s business interests.”

Myanmar Now: https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/government-blocks-access-to-website-of-group-exposing-militarys-business-ties   

 

Businesses Launch Collective Action Effort To Fight Corruption in Indonesia (Blog).  “Though the [Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC Indonesia)] formally began operations in August, its development has evolved over the past two years. The driving force behind the coalition has been the Indonesia Institute for Corporate Directorship (IICD), Indonesia’s largest corporate governance organization, with the assistance of the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).”

Benjamin Schmidt: https://acgc.cipe.org/business-of-integrity-blog/businesses-launch-collective-action-effort-to-fight-corruption-in-indonesia/    

Indonesia political corruption / China SOE executive / Malaysia-China corruption links

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Corruption in Jokowi’s Indonesia (Opinion).  “The persistence of corruption, especially the political one, has seemingly been in line with the high level of electoral frauds… Needless to say, fraudulent elections and political corruption are connected, and there need strategies and measures to curtail them.”

Abdurrahman Syebubakar/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1979635/corruption-in-jokowis-indonesia  

 

Apparent Suicide Raises Questions Over BRI Corruption.  “There are unanswered questions over the apparent August 16 suicide of Chen Fenjian…a former top executive of two large Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) engaged in the Belt and Road Initiative, one of which, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), was recently sanctioned and accused of corruption by the US government.”

Toh Han Shih/Asia Sentinel: https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/apparent-suicide-raises-questions  

 

Najib's Key Contractor In China Just Fell Off A Tall Building. Why?.  “It was during Chen Fenjian’s tenure at the top of CCCC that a string of corrupt deals with Malaysia were sealed, involving massive kickbacks that were made to Najib Razak’s Ministry of Finance (MOF) in return for the vastly inflated East Coast Railway Project.”

Sarawak Report: https://www.sarawakreport.org/2020/09/najibs-key-contractor-in-china-just-fell-off-a-tall-building-why/  

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (5 September 2020): Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu, Tonga

FIJI:

Fiji MPs questioned by anti-corruption commission.  Two MPs in Fiji have been questioned by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for alleged breaches of the Parliamentary Remuneration Act.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/424535/fiji-mps-questioned-by-anti-corruption-commission

Immigration, Citizenship and Passports Bill amended.  Bainimarama says these amendments will ensure the Department is not susceptible to any form of corruption activity.

https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/parliament/amended-immigration-bill-to-protect-fiji/

 

PNG:

Claim of constitutional crisis in PNG after electoral boss sacked.  The charges stemmed from fraud investigations into a case of official corruption involving the 2017 general elections.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/425136/claim-of-constitutional-crisis-in-png-after-electoral-boss-sacked

 

VANUATU:

Former Vanuatu PM to defend charges. The former Vanuatu prime minister, Charlot Salwai, has pleaded not guilty in Supreme Court today to charges of bribery, corruption and perjury.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/424945/former-vanuatu-pm-to-defend-charges

 

TONGA:

Noble MP regains seat in Tonga. He said he looked forward to getting back to work, specifically in areas of anti-corruption and human rights and promoting the infrastructure needs of the Niuas.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/424943/noble-mp-regains-seat-in-tonga

 

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

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

Integrated socio-economic impact assessment / UNDP COVID-19 response service offer / Thailand flag carrier

Integrating Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption in Socio-Economic Impact Analyses (Guidance Note).  “[This guidance note] elaborates on the following three steps to be taken: (1) Assess the overall impact of transparency, accountability and anti-corruption on policies/processes, institutions and the overall enabling environment for transparency, accountability and openness; (2) Assess the corruption risks in procurement processes, service delivery, health and emergency funds, and social safety nets and economic stimulus packages; (3) Integrate transparency, accountability and anti-corruption in socio-economic response.”

UNDP: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-governance/anti-corruption/integrating-transparency--accountability-and-anti-corruption-in-.html

 

Transparency, Accountability and Anti-Corruption Service Offer for COVID-19 Response and Recovery.  “COVID-19 is not just a health, humanitarian or socio-economic crisis; it is a governance crisis…UNDP is supporting countries to integrate transparency, accountability and anti-corruption in both response and recovery priorities, including health systems support; crisis management and response; and social and economic impact needs assessment and response.” To find out more about support areas offered by UNDP, see the note below.

UNDP: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-governance/anti-corruption/transparency--accountability-and-anti-corruption-service-offer-f.html

 

Mismanagement, graft sank THAI, says panel.  “Mismanagement linked to dozens of executives and corruption have led to the downfall of Thai Airways International Plc, according to the deputy transport minister…THAI has lost money in every year but one since 2013 and now has outstanding debt of 250 billion baht (approx. US$ 8 billion).”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1976655/mismanagement-graft-sank-thai-says-panel  

Malaysia procurement procedure / Pakistan pharmaceutical sector / Corruption and health care

Malaysia lawmakers debate hot issue of 'direct negotiations', previously a byword for graft.  “The term "direct negotiations" in Malaysia usually involves a government ministry or department awarding a project directly to a pre-selected contractor or supplier, instead of calling for an open tender…[The Finance Minister] clarified that direct negotiations are allowed under certain conditions with approval from the Finance Ministry…[but his statement] was quickly drowned out by [MPs]…who said the previous government had said it would stop all direct negotiations.”

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-lawmakers-debate-hot-issue-of-direct-negotiations-previously-a-byword-for   

 

Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector: issues of pricing, procurement and the quality of medicines (Working Paper).  “This paper investigates private corruption in the pharmaceutical sector – understood as the capture of rents – as a possible factor harming development…For each of these issues the authors have examined the processes over time that have resulted in the creation of rents and that encourage rent-seeking.”

Kabeer Dawani and Asad Sayeed/Anti-Corruption Evidence SOAS Consortium: https://ace.soas.ac.uk/publication/pakistans-pharmaceutical-sector/   

 

The influence of corruption and governance in the delivery of frontline health care services in the public sector: a scoping review of current and future prospects in low and middle-income countries of south and south-east Asia (Journal Article).  “The dynamic intersection of a pluralistic health system, large informal sector, and poor regulatory environment have provided conditions favourable for ‘corruption’ in the [Lower Middle Income Countries] of south and south-east Asia region. ‘Corruption’ works to undermine the [Universal Health Coverage] goals of achieving equity, quality, and responsiveness including financial protection, especially while delivering frontline health care services.”

Naher et al./BMC Public Health: https://ace.soas.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/s12889-020-08975-0.pdf

UNDP Fair Biz newsletter / Myanmar business integrity webinar / Doing Business data irregularities

UNDP Fair Biz in ASEAN Quarterly Newsletter.  Check out UNDP ‘Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN’ project’s updates such as the launch of “Business integrity toolkit for young entrepreneurs” at the regional level and “Business Integrity Handbook” in Myanmar, and a review of the impact of transparent public procurement in Thailand’s infrastructure construction. It also includes the highlights and links to our recorded webinars on “Justice in the times of COVID-19”, “Promoting Diversity & Inclusion in the Supply Chain”, among other news.

UNDP: https://mailchi.mp/0cf51aed18ec/fairbizinasean-12377655?e=e25eae1c8c  

 

Building Better Business Integrity in Myanmar (Webinar).  On 11 September 2020 at 4.00 pm Myanmar time, Ms. Vicky Bowman, Director of MCRB and Mr. Thomas Crick, Project Manager at UNDP, will discuss current challenges for business integrity in Myanmar and legislative and non-legislative initiatives which are aiming address these. The audience is invited to share their experience and identify opportunities for collective action. Please register via the link below.

Myanmar Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce: https://www.eventnook.com/event/u71052/home  

 

Doing Business – Data Irregularities Statement.  “A number of irregularities have been reported regarding changes to the data in the Doing Business 2018 and Doing Business 2020 reports, published in October 2017 and 2019… The publication of the Doing Business report will be paused as we conduct our assessment.”

World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/statement/2020/08/27/doing-business---data-irregularities-statement

UNGASS grand corruption / Thailand hit-and-run injustice / Indonesia ex-election commissioner

Impunity for Grand Corruption – a problem too big for international community to ignore (Blog).  “If [Unied Nations General Assembly Special Session against Corruption [UNGASS] 2021 agrees to concrete measures to prevent and combat grand corruption, it could have a transformative impact on our societies and help us get closer to achieving our shared Sustainable Development Goals.”

Mats Benestad/Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/impunity-for-grand-corruption-too-big-to-ignore-ungass-2021

 

PM's panel finds graft in Boss case.  “The chairman of [Thai] prime minister's committee reviewing the aborted hit-and-run case of Red Bull heir Vorayuth Yoovidhya said his panel saw "injustice" and the "shadow of corruption" in past handling of the prosecution… the process had been delayed for 7-8 years and there had been as many as 14 petitions for justice before charges were dropped, he said.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1975227/pms-panel-finds-graft-in-boss-case

 

Former KPU commissioner gets six years in prison for election bribery.  “The Jakarta Corruption Court has handed down a six-year prison sentence for [Indonesia’s] former General Elections Commission (KPU) commissioner Wahyu Setiawan after finding him guilty of accepting…around $47,350 in bribes from Indoneseia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Saeful Bahri in exchange for helping PDI-P cadre Harun Masiku secure a seat to replace a deceased politician in the House of Representatives”

Ghina Ghaliya/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/08/24/former-kpu-commissioner-gets-six-years-in-prison-for-election-bribery.html