Myanmar anti-corruption progress / India dynastic corruption / Bhutan legal interpretation

Corruption is still rooted in many places: Anti-Corruption Commission.  ““The [Myanmar Anti-corruption] commission has steadfastly fought corruption that is rampant across the country for over the past three years. But only a few places saw corruption stop whereas it is still rampant in many parts of the country as ever as before,” the chairman said…He stressed the need for the government, out of political goodwill, to lead the fight against corruption in order to realize the anti-corruption millennium goals. He also called for inclusive participation when work committees are formed.”

Zaw Min Naing/Eleven Media Group: https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/corruption-is-still-rooted-in-many-places-anti-corruption-commission  

 

Dynastic corruption is a challenge to progress: PM Modi.  “Inaugurating the three-day National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, organised by the Central Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Modi said ineffective action against one generation of offenders emboldened the next generation to indulge more in corrupt practices.”

The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/dynastic-corruption-is-a-challenge-to-progress-pm/article32957305.ece  

 

Institutional obstruction to fight corruption (Opinion).  “The current interpretation of [Bhutan’s Section 167(1), of the ACC Act on suspending public officials under investigation if they are “likely to impede the investigation”], by institutions may lead to abuse of right to appeal by the individual officials to buy time...[which] is useful for the officials as they can occupy their current position till the final decision,”

Sonam Tshering/Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/institutional-obstruction-to-fight-corruption/

Anti-corruption trend lessons / Pakistan uprooting corruption / Indonesia KPK recruits

What can we learn from trends in corruption and anticorruption? (Blog).  “Even if the average trend in reducing administrative corruption has been in the right direction, it is not universal…The urgency of the response to COVID-19 exacerbates these challenges even further…Still, knowing that anticorruption reforms can lead to results is encouraging and shows the usefulness of looking deeper, as the case studies in the volume do”

Jim Anderson/World Bank: https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/what-can-we-learn-trends-corruption-and-anticorruption

 

Uprooting corruption (Opinion).  “In Bangladesh, it was the Supreme Court that abolished the feudal system and paved the way for democracy. The Supreme Court of Pakistan in consultation with the present civil and military leadership needs to take suo-motu notice of our system of governance before it is too late”

Atta-Ur-Rahman/The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/735719-uprooting-corruption  

 

KPK seeks 100 new investigators to boost graft-busting power.  Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)”law enforcement deputy Karyoto said that the new investigators would be employed in the agency’s three sections, namely preliminary probe, investigation and prosecution, while some would also be assigned as asset-tracking specialists.”

Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/10/23/kpk-seeks-100-new-investigators-to-boost-graft-busting-power.html

Malaysia business anti-corruption budget / Hong Kong fines Goldman / Peer review mechanisms analysis

MACC wants businesses to set aside funds to combat graft.  “The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has called for businesses to spend a fair amount of their annual budget on anti-corruption efforts. Chief commissioner Azam Baki said it was to ensure that the wealth generated by businesses were shared among the people and not only a few.”

Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/10/20/macc-wants-businesses-to-set-aside-funds-to-combat-graft/  

 

Hong Kong fines Goldman Sachs record $350 million over 1MDB failings.  “Hong Kong’s markets watchdog…fined Goldman Sachs’s Asian business $350 million for its role in Malaysia’s multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, the largest single fine ever levied by the regulator in the Asian financial hub… In July, Goldman agreed to pay $3.9 billion to settle Malaysia’s criminal probe and [recently it agreed] to pay more than $2 billion to settle U.S. charges over its role in the scandal.”

Alun John/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/goldman-sachs-1mdb-hong-kong/hong-kong-fines-goldman-sachs-record-350-million-over-1mdb-failings-idUSKBN27717P

 

FACTI Background Paper: Analysis of the Different Peer Review Mechanisms for Ensuring Compliance with Anticorruption and Financial Integrity Norms (Blog).  “Peer review is the most prevalent international monitoring instrument in financial integrity matters…[from] combating terrorist financing to fighting corruption…[It] is used to evaluate states’ policy practices…Based on an analysis of the six peer reviews identified above, we distinguish between challenges that stem from institutional factors (i.e., the design and functioning of a peer review) and domestic factors.”

Richard Messick/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2020/10/22/facti-background-paper-analysis-of-the-different-peer-review-mechanisms-for-ensuring-compliance-with-anticorruption-and-financial-integrity-norms/

New Kickback podcast / Malaysia sustainability audit / Indonesia construction corruption

New Podcast Episode, Featuring James Wasserstrom (Part 2) (Blog/Podcast).  “Mr. Wasserstrom discusses his work as a special advisor on anticorruption issues at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan…[and] talks about the importance of anticorruption work in ensuring stability and security, the challenges he faced in convincing senior military and diplomatic officials of the need to take corruption seriously, and why it’s important, in situations like Afghanistan, to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach to corruption and to use strict conditionalities on aid”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2020/10/21/new-podcast-episode-featuring-james-wasserstrom-part-2/  

 

Ex-FGV Holdings senior GM charged over RM10,000 bribe.  “[Norazam Abdul Hameed,] former senior general manager of FGV Holdings Bhd was charged in the Sessions Court…with agreeing to accept RM10,000 (approx. US$ 2,400)…to recommend a company for audit work to obtain the International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) for FGV Palm Industries Sdn Bhd.”

Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2020/10/20/ex-fgv-holdings-senior-gm-charged-over-rm10000-bribe/  

 

West Sumatra District Head Gets Four Years’ Imprisonment for Graft.  “South Solok District Head Muzni Zakaria was found guilty of taking bribe in infrastructure projects in the district…He has accepted nearly Rp 3 billion (approx. US$204,000) in kickbacks from businessmen involved in the construction of the Ambayan Bridge and the Grand Mosque in the district,”

Fana Suparman/Jakarta Globe: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/west-sumatra-district-head-gets-four-years-imprisonment-for-graft  

Tech for procurement / India CBI mandates / AIIB's transparency deficit

Disrupting corruption in government purchases in ASEAN (Opinion).  “If policymakers, practitioners, business leaders and citizens are ultimately successful in matching the new generation of technologies...with the ultimate goal of maximizing social benefit through the reduction…of corruption, this could make all the difference to the lives…of men and women in…socities worldwide.”  

Brook Horowitz and Mark Lovatt/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2020/10/22/disrupting-corruption-in-government-purchases-in-asean.html

 

Maharashtra Ends Blanket Consent To CBI Probes In Clash Over Ratings Case.  “The Maharashtra [state] government's move also comes hours after the [Central Bureau of Investigation] filed a case to investigate the ratings scam on the basis of a complaint filed in BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh.”

NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-withdraws-blanket-consent-to-cbi-to-probe-cases-in-the-state-2313870  

 

The AIIB’s Transparency Deficit (Opinion).  “Transparency and public participation are paramount in mitigating the environmental and social risks of large-scale infrastructure projects. But the Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank [AIIB] is not heeding the message, even as the climate emergency and irreversible biodiversity loss reach critical levels.”

Korinna Horta and Wawa Wang/Project Syndicate: https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/asian-infrastructure-investment-bank-environmental-social-risks-by-korinna-horta-and-wawa-wang-2020-10  

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (24 October 2020): Solomon Islands, Fiji

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Anti-corruption Body Appoints Director General. The Solomon Islands Independent Commission against Corruption, SIICAC, has a first appointed Director General. He is John Hugani Koun.

https://www.solomontimes.com/news/anticorruption-body-appoints-director-general/10352

 

FIJI :

Fiji's NFP leader investigated by anti-corruption body. Fiji's anti-corruption commission is investigating the leader of the opposition National Federation Party.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/428530/fiji-s-nfp-leader-investigated-by-anti-corruption-body

Man convicted of bribery awaits fate. A former tax officer with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) was convicted of bribery by the Suva Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

https://www.fijitimes.com/man-convicted-of-bribery-awaits-fate/

Former official and company executive deny corruption-related charges. A former public official and a former private company executive who are facing corruption-related charges pleaded not guilty at the Suva Magistrates Court today.

https://www.fijitimes.com/former-official-and-company-executive-deny-corruption-related-charges/

UNODC Anti-Corruption Newsletter / China's Gilded Age podcast / China and India e-government anti-corruption

UNODC Anti-Corruption Newsletter: Southeast Asia June-September 2020.  Follow UNODC's work over the past quarter, ranging from an analysis of beneficial ownership in Southeast Asia, a study of corruption risks in COVID-19 emergency packages,to corruption investigation training in Viet Nam.

Direct link to the beneficial ownership analysis: https://bit.ly/3dOPQxF

Direct link to the COVID-19 emergency package study: https://bit.ly/37sehzO

UNODC: https://mailchi.mp/d9fbe1216672/unodc-corruption-newsletter-3310518  

 

China's Gilded Age (Podcast).  "Professor Yuen Yuen Ang joins Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Anna Szymanski to discuss her book China's Gilded Age: The Paradox of Economic Boom and Vast Corruption and how it relates to China and the United States."

Yuen Yuen Ang, Felix Salmon, Emily Peck, and Anna Szymanski/Slate Money: https://slate.com/podcasts/slate-money/2020/10/china-corruption-economy 

 

Public sector innovation, e‐government, and anticorruption in China and India: Insights from civil servants (Journal Article).  "Distinctive from their traditional anticorruption approaches, is the innovative e‐government approach an effective solution to corruption in these two large developing countries?... What is worth noting is that the Chinese respondents were more positive regarding the role of transparency, whereas the Indian respondents were more positive about the role of technology, which may reflect the different facilitators of corruption and the constraints of anticorruption in China and India."

Alfred M. Wu, Yifei Yan, and Lina Vyas/Australian Journal of Public Administration: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1467-8500.12439  

1MDB US settlement / Philippines public works / Bhutan OAG unit

Malaysia's 1MDB scandal: Goldman Sachs set to pay US$2 billion to US authorities.  "Goldman Sachs has reached a long-awaited pact with the US Department of Justice to pay more than US$2 billion for the bank's role in Malaysia's 1MDB scandal…It follows an agreement in July to settle a related probe with Malaysia, in which the bank promised to pay US$2.5 billion. Malaysia dropped criminal charges against the New York-based company in early September."

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3106244/malaysias-1mdb-scandal-goldman-sachs-set-pay-us2-billion

 

COA flags ₱432M in excess costs for DPWH projects.  The Philippine Commission on Audit  (COA) "found discrepancies in the costing of 184 projects by various offices under the Department of Public Works and Highways [DPWH] in 2019…excessive contract costs and overestimated quantities of certain items resulted in a total variance of about [approx. US$8.9 million]"

AC Nicholls/CNN Philippines: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/10/19/COA-excess-costs-delayed-projects-DPWH-2019.html  

 

[Bhutan's] OAG creates a Governance and Corporate Legal Service Unit.  "The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has created a Governance and Corporate Legal Service Unit…mandated to bring reforms to the existing government procurement and contracting system, and review the dispute resolution process involving commercial disputes,"

Kuensel: https://kuenselonline.com/oag-creates-a-governance-and-corporate-legal-service-unit/  

FACTI Background Paper / WEF ESG reporting / Beneficial ownership standards

FACTI Background Paper: Beneficial Ownership (Blog).  “This paper explains how secrecy is achieved, how perfect beneficial ownership transparency would reveal most of the financial crimes and abuses, and how our legal frameworks can be fixed to get closer to that ideal transparency scenario.”

Richard Messick/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2020/10/14/facti-background-paper-beneficial-ownership/  

 

WEF’s voluntary ESG reporting now includes anti-corruption metrics (Blog).  The World Economic Forum’s “report, “Measuring Stakeholder Capitalism: Towards Common Metrics and Consistent Reporting of Sustainable Value Creation” [contains] voluntary ESG metrics and disclosures that are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals…[and certain] anti-corruption metrics…within the Principles of Governance Pillar’s “Ethical Behavior” Theme”

Direct link to report: https://www.weforum.org/reports/measuring-stakeholder-capitalism-towards-common-metrics-and-consistent-reporting-of-sustainable-value-creation

Worth MacMurray and Elaine Dezenski/The FCPA Blog: https://fcpablog.com/2020/10/13/wefs-voluntary-esg-reporting-now-includes-anti-corruption-metrics/  

 

Shell companies make fighting foreign bribery an uphill struggle. It is time major economies took action (Blog).  “They should revise the [Financial Action Task Force’s] recommendations and guidance documents to require member countries to establish beneficial ownership registers and encourage countries to establish public beneficial ownership registers as a way of improving transparency and accountability, as well as accuracy of the data.”

Maira Martini/Tranparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/shell-companies-make-fighting-foreign-bribery-a-sisyphean-task-when-will-major-economies-realise  

Foreign bribery report / China's Kyrgyzstan investment / Open Government anti-corruption initiatives

Foreign bribery rages across the globe.  “Our new report, Exporting Corruption, rates the performance of 47 leading global exporters, including 43 countries that are signatories to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention, in cracking down on foreign bribery by companies…[It] also highlights key gaps in information about enforcement and slow country progress in introducing central public beneficial ownership registers, a crucial tool for detecting, investigating and preventing foreign bribery.

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/foreign-bribery-rages-across-the-globe  

 

How corruption in Kyrgyzstan put Chinese investments at risk (Opinion).  “In the past few weeks, the Government of Sri Lanka has proposed an amendment to the existing Constitution that seeks to overhaul several key provisions, including Articles regarding the appointment of independent commissions…Losing the [Right To Information] Commission can have a chilling effect on its use and effectiveness and those who suffer as a consequence would be citizens who have just begun in the last three years to truly exercise their democratic right to know,”

Niva Yau/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3105669/how-corruption-kyrgyzstan-put-chinese-investments-risk  

 

Fighting corruption through Open Government Initiatives (Blog).  A chapter on “Open and Inclusive Government” in the World Bank’s recently published report on corruption pulls together existing research and country experiences to sketch out the connections between open government methodologies and anti-corruption aims… There is an increasing evidence that suggests that openness can make a difference in reducing corruption when other enabling factors are present,”

Emily Kallaur & Stephen Davenport/World Bank Blogs: https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/fighting-corruption-through-open-government-initiatives  

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (17 October 2020): Solomon Islands, Fiji, PNG

SOLOMON ISLANDS :

Integrity Should Not be For Sale: Solomon Islands Youth Entrepreneur. Solomon Islands youth entrepreneurs have a key role to play in tackling corruption and building business integrity as the country strengthens its economy and tackles COVID-19, according to local participants of the three-day Business Integrity for Youth Entrepreneurs Workshop.

https://www.solomontimes.com/feature/integrity-should-not-be-for-sale-solomon-islands-youth-entrepreneur/535

 

FIJI :

‘High level corruption in markets’. There is a high level of corruption in Fiji’s municipal markets, says Local Government Minister Premila Kumar.

https://www.fijitimes.com/high-level-corruption-in-markets/

 

PNG:

Papua New Guinea faces an infrastructure crisis—thanks to shoddy work and opaque deals (Commentary). Since I raised serious questions about the transparency, or lack of it, in Asian Development Bank–funded projects in Papua New Guinea, I have been deluged with highly credible information that highlights not just the failure of the ADB when it comes to transparency, but also the record of Australia’s development program, the World Bank and the PNG government itself.

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/papua-new-guinea-faces-an-infrastructure-crisis-thanks-to-shoddy-work-and-opaque-deals/

Exporting Corruption Report / Digitalization for anti-corruption / Indonesia job bill

Exporting Corruption (Report).  “Transparency International’s 2020 report, Exporting Corruption, rates the performance of 47 leading global exporters, including 43 countries that are signatories to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention, in cracking down on bribery of foreign public officials by companies operating abroad.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/exporting-corruption-2020  

 

To fight corruption, private and public sectors must double down on digitalization (Blog).  “[Our] recommendations focus on: (1) consistent digital identity standards; (2) increased adoption of public registers of beneficial ownership information; and (3) public/private partnership to support technologies that improve data quality in, and data sharing among, national registers. We urge global leaders to focus on building a culture of high integrity in the private and public sectors, including improving transparency in public procurement and leveraging emerging technologies to manage risks relating to corruption and fraud, by embracing these recommendations.”

Karen Griffin and Mathad Al-Ajmi/The FCPA Blog: https://fcpablog.com/2020/10/12/to-fight-corruption-private-and-public-sectors-must-double-down-on-digitalization/  

 

BKPM Says Job Creation Law Prevents Corruption.  “[Indonesia’s] Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia claimed the Omnibus Law on Job Creation would be effective to prevent corruption practices as it minimized the space for applicants and license issuers to directly meet.”

Francisca Christy Rosana/Tempo.co: https://en.tempo.co/read/1394001/bkpm-says-job-creation-law-prevents-corruption

B20 Policy Paper / Malaysia challenges reflection / Indonesia lighter punishments

B20 Integrity & Compliance Policy Paper 2020  “This policy paper outlines three general recommendations for the G20 and covers a number of specific policy actions and considerations for each such recommendation…The first recommendation focuses on the G20 pursuing and delivering a culture of high integrity in both the public and private sectors…The second…[on] leveraging emerging technologies to manage risks related to corruption and fraud…The third…focuses on…enhancing integrity and transparency in public procurement”

 

B20: https://www.b20saudiarabia.org.sa/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/B20-Integrity-Compliance-Policy-Paper-30092020.pdf

 

We must be proactive as corruption cases getting more complex, says MACC chief.  “The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief commissioner [Datuk Seri Azam Baki] said that while the MACC tries its best to be proactive in using the latest technologies, challenges remain when the offences involve different countries…‘There is fraud, financial statement manipulation to hide illegal proceeds, and a sharp increase in the usage of financial institutions outside Malaysia to facilitate the ill-gotten proceeds and others.’”

Zakiah Koya/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/10/10/we-must-be-proactive-as-corruption-cases-getting-more-complex-says-macc-chief  

 

Corruption Watchdog ICW Compares Court Sentences in Graft Cases.  “The Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) researcher, Kurnia Ramadhana…announced that lighter punishments have been handed to a higher number of defendants in cases related to corruption in the first semester of 2020 from January to June.”

Friski Riana/Tempo.co: https://en.tempo.co/read/1395113/corruption-watchdog-icw-compares-court-sentences-in-graft-cases  

Nepal infrastructure procurement / High-level Reporting Mechanism / Indonesia KPK public trust

Citizens empowered: An open secret to building local infrastructure on time and budget (Blog).  “Decentralization in Nepal has given local governments a new level of decision-making power and accountability to citizens…The government of Dhangadhi, the gateway to Nepal’s far west, has improved oversight of one of the city’s biggest budget items, small-scale infrastructure, by introducing new transparent policies, digitizing its processes and creating new channels to engage citizens and seek their feedback on project performance.”

Sophie Brown/Open Contracting Partnership: https://www.open-contracting.org/2020/09/30/citizens-empowered-an-open-secret-to-building-local-infrastructure-on-time-and-budget/  

 

New OECD study on how to implement a HLRM for clean, transparent public procurement (Blog and Publication).  “The OECD has released a new study on the ingredients for a successful High-Level Reporting Mechanism (HLRM). This flexible, non-legal tool allows the private sector to report issues to a high-level office that is external to the public entity where the problem has occurred.”

Direct link to publication: http://www.oecd.org/corruption/anti-bribery/Tackling-bribe-solicitation-using-the-high-level-reporting-mechanism-for-preventing-bribery.pdf

William Loo/Basel Institute on Governance: https://baselgovernance.org/blog/new-oecd-study-how-implement-hlrm-clean-transparent-public-procurement  

 

Explainer: How the KPK is losing public trust.  “Since its establishment in 2003 in the wake of the 1998 reform movement, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has spearheaded Indonesia’s long battle against corruption. But now, the KPK is losing public trust as criticism abounds over its new and controversial leaders and a restrictive new anticorruption law.”

Moch. Fiqih Prawira Adjie/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/10/11/explainer-how-the-kpk-is-losing-public-trust.html  

Social accountability approaches / Sri Lanka Right to Information / Singapore sub-contractor bribery

As the pandemic continues: adapting approaches to social accountability (Blog).  “A few months back we asked whether social distancing has to mean that communities demanding accountability are silenced. Because giving and receiving feedback, and convincing people to act, can be easier in person. But the answer was a clear no, and we shared a few examples from around the globe of communities that are continuing to hold duty bearers accountable.”

Isabelle Kermeen/Integrity Action: https://integrityaction.org/what-we-are-learning/blog/as-the-pandemic-continues-adapting-approaches-to-social-accountability/

 

Watching over citizens’ right to information (Blog).  “In the past few weeks, the Government of Sri Lanka has proposed an amendment to the existing Constitution that seeks to overhaul several key provisions, including Articles regarding the appointment of independent commissions…Losing the [Right To Information] Commission can have a chilling effect on its use and effectiveness and those who suffer as a consequence would be citizens who have just begun in the last three years to truly exercise their democratic right to know,”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/blog/watching-over-citizens-right-to-information  

 

Chevron's health and safety specialist admits taking $6,000 bribes to be lenient to sub-contractor.  “[Cheow Hock Mun, a] health, environment and safety specialist with Chevron Singapore accepted $6,000 in bribes from a sub-contractor…"Lim [the briber] was aware that Cheow was the overall in charge of safety at the lube oil Blending Plant, and that he had the authority to make things difficult by not approving the permits for his workers or by finding faults with them in safety aspects," said [Deputy Public Prosecutor] Hu, adding that this would eventually cause delays and financial losses for Lim's company.”

Cara Wong/The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/chevrons-health-and-safety-specialist-admits-taking-6000-bribes-to-be-lenient  

Maldives ex-Vice President sentenced / Indonesia anti-corruption progress / India most corrupt state

Maldives ex-VP Ahmed Adeeb sentenced to 20 years for corruption.  Criminal Court charged Adeeb with embezzlement, money laundering and misuse of government authority among other offences…[including] charges related to leasing tropical islands for hotel development.  

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/5/maldives-ex-vp-ahmed-adeeb-sentenced-to-20-years-for-corruption  

 

Widodo doing too little to eliminate graft (Opinion).  “At first blush, it might appear that Indonesia was on the road to eradicating corruption from its midst…Evidently, Indonesia is still mired in scandal, especially those involving high-profile individuals, both in the private sector and in the upper echelons of political power.”

Sean Goh/Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/2020/10/widodo-doing-too-little-to-eliminate-graft/  

 

Maharashtra leads in graft cases for 3^rd year in row, but logs 15% conviction rate.  “According to [National Crime Records Bureau] data, though corruption cases reduced by 5% between 2018 and 2019 in Maharashtra, the state still accounts for 21% of all graft cases recorded in India in 2019.”

Nitasha Natu/Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/maharashtra-leads-in-graft-cases-for-3rd-year-in-row-but-logs-15-conviction-rate/articleshow/78483852.cms         

UN common position paper / Thailand drink-drive checkpoints / Malaysia independent panels

The UN common position to address global corruption (Position paper).  “This paper sets forth the Common Position of the United Nations system on addressing corruption challenges at the global, regional and national levels and the common framework for the United Nations system on support to Member States. The paper also includes an annex that highlights some innovative ideas and initiatives being explored by Member States to prevent and respond to corruption challenges.”

United Nations:https://ungass2021.unodc.org/uploads/ungass2021/documents/session1/contributions/UN_Common_Position_to_Address_Global_Corruption_Towards_UNGASS2021.pdf

 

New top cop calls a halt to drink-drive checkpoints.  “The new [Thai] police chief [Pol Gen Suwat Jangyodsuk] has ordered the suspension of drink-driving checkpoints until the transparency of the tests can be ensured… Mana Nimitmongkol, secretary-general of the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand, welcomed the move saying at least the new police chief recognises the problems that have long been voiced by the public.”

Wassayos Ngamkham and Kornchanok Raksaseri: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1995695/new-top-cop-calls-a-halt-to-drink-drive-checkpoints

 

Malaysia: Watchdog panels to monitor anti-graft body.  “Malaysia has placed [the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission] under the supervision of five independent panels to ensure its transparency and prevent intervention into its activities by other parties…one of the panels would advise the agency on policies and procedures…second would monitor cases and provide its opinion on whether to close or re-evaluate cases…third panel would advise on training and graft prevention activities and a fourth would be responsible for monitoring misconduct by the commission officials…[the] Special Committee on Corruption, the final panel, will oversee the MACC's annual performance and present it to the prime minister”

Pizaro Gozali Idrus/Anadolu Agency: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/malaysia-watchdog-panels-to-monitor-anti-graft-body/1993210

Thai justice sector / Bangladesh High Court / Pakistan anti-corruption drive

Vicha proposes justice revamp.  Thailand’s “[graftbuster] Vicha Mahakun has made recommendations for a revamp of the justice system after his review of the hit-and-run case involving the Red Bull scion…The recommendations contained observations that police probes lack independence and are prone to graft, while evidence can be tampered with and facts can be distorted.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1995035/vicha-proposes-justice-revamp

 

Corrupt judges must be removed to keep judiciary free of graft: HC.  “The [Bangladesh] High Court in a full text of a verdict has observed that corrupt judges must be immediately removed in order to keep all other judges of the judiciary free from graft. "Corruption free judiciary is one of the preconditions to rule of law," the HC said.”

The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/country/news/corrupt-judges-must-be-removed-keep-judiciary-free-graft-hc-1972369

 

Anti-corruption drive has lost credibility: Siraj.  “[Pakistan’s] Jamaat-e-Islami [party leader] Senator Sirajul Haq has reiterated the demand for across the board accountability, saying the current anti-corruption drive has lost the credibility among the masses because of its political motivated agenda.”

The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/724767-anti-corruption-drive-has-lost-credibility-siraj

Indonesia forestry governance / World Bank report takeaways / ESG for developing countries

How jobs bill will change forest governance in Indonesia (Opinion).  “Despite becoming embroiled in corruption that has resulted in a high-cost economy in the forestry sector, local administrations should still play a role in forest oversight. While no longer in charge of issuing permits and licenses, local authorities should help the central government supervise companies and make sure sustainable business practices are in place.”

Adisti Sukma Sawitri/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/09/25/how-jobs-bill-will-change-forest-governance-in-indonesia.html

 

How to make progress in the fight against corruption (Blog).  “Case studies featured in the report [Enhancing Government Effectiveness and Transparency: The Fight Against Corruption] highlight that multiple factors contribute to the impact of anti-corruption efforts, including political leadership, institutional capacity, incentives, technology, transparency and collaboration.”

Rajni Bajpai and Bernard Myers: https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/how-make-progress-fight-against-corruption  

 

ESG brings distinct value to developing nations (Opinion).  “Particilarly important in emerging and developing economis is the G [in ESG] – governance. Why? Because companies will invest and create jobs in countries with good governance and where corruption is not tolerated. Companies must not engage in corrupt practices or support regimes that do not respect basic human rights.”

Tidjane Thiam/Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/04894547-0835-448a-b8c0-2c6e1118734d  

Afghanistan Human Development Report / Thailand transparency ranking / Indonesia money laundering

National Human Development Report 2020: Pitfalls and Promise – Minerals Extractions in Afghanistan.  “The control of minerals extraction by insurgent groups has also meant that they have been financing and fuelling conflict, while undermining the legitimacy of the State and further spreading corruption and violence.”

UNDP Afghanistan: https://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/library/human_development/NHDR-2020.html  

 

Graft ranking needs rethink (Editorial).  “The [Thai] National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) seems to have repeated the same mistakes of 2019 when it released its annual Integrity and Transparency [Assessment] ranking for government agencies, state enterprises and independent bodies for this year…Independent bodies which share the courts and military branches' top ranking include the Election Commission, as well as the NACC itself. That the EC received high [ITA] scores seems inconsistent with the fact that the agency has far too often attracted public complaints.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1993819/graft-ranking-needs-rethink

 

Blight of money laundering (Editorial).  “[Indonesia’s] Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, which most other countries call the financial intelligence unit…reported a 240 percent increase in suspicious transactions through the capital market over the last two quarters…The indictment that charged Pinangki with aiding and abetting corruption convict Djoko Soegiarto Tjandra while he was a fugitive…alleged that the state prosecurtor had made cash transaction stotaling around US$440,000 between November 2019 and July 2020.”

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/09/30/blight-of-money-laundering.html

UNDP-UNSSC online course registration / Republic of Korea Practitioner's Note / Indonesia regional graft methods

REMINDER: Registration still open for the free UNDP-UNSSC online course on ‘Anti-Corruption in the context of the 2030 Agenda, November-December 2020.  This online course adopts an integrated approach to achieving the SDGs from an anti-corruption and SDG16 perspective. It features concrete examples to provide practical guidance on integrating, measuring and monitoring anti-corruption in national, sectoral and local development plans and processes. It also includes new materials and a dedicated lasson on Anti-corruption in COVID-19 Response and Recovery.

Registration via the link below closes 12 October 2020

UNDP and UN System Staff College: https://www.unssc.org/courses/anti-corruption-context-2030-agenda-november-december-2020/   

 

Strategic Approaches to Corruption Prevention: A Practitioner's Perspective Based on the Experience of the Republic of Korea and UNDP Missions.  “In this paper, the author draws on 18 years of his experience at the Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of Korea…Overall, this practitioner's note seeks to share the author's experience and provide practical guidance to Anti-Corruption practitioners on how to devise a tangible roadmap to prevent corruption.”

Euywhan Kim/UNDP: http://www.undp.org/content/seoul_policy_center/en/home/library/practitioner-s-note-1.html

 

KPK identify graft methods used by regional heads to get back campaign funds.  Indonesia’s “Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) identified at least six modi operandi for corruption committed by regional heads…by offering positions in the regional administration to officials in exchange for illicit money…manipulate the procurement of goods and services through regional budget planning…sell permits to certain corporations supporting their political campaign…embezzle from the regional budget…receive unlawful gifts…embezzle regional income by disbursing it to other state officials.”

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/09/30/kpk-identify-graft-methods-used-by-regional-heads-to-get-back-campaign-funds.html  

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (3 October 2020): Fiji, PNG

FIJI :

Fiji MPs in front of anti-corruption commission. Two opposition MPs in Fiji are being questioned by the Independent Commission against Corruption over alleged breaches of the Parliamentary Remuneration Act.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/427283/fiji-mps-in-front-of-anti-corruption-commission

 

Former agricultural officer pleads guilty to committing an act of corruption. A former agricultural technical officer appeared last week at the Nausori Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to committing an act of corruption.

https://www.fijitimes.com/former-agricultural-officer-pleads-guilty-to-committing-an-act-of-corruption/

 

PNG:

PNG introduces new Anti-Corruption strategy. To pay way for a functioning independent commission against Corruption (ICAC) Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has introduced a project called PAIS (Promoting Anti-Corruption Integrity Strategies)

https://postcourier.com.pg/tipng-introduces-new-anti-corruption-strategy/

PNG police minister says officers being probed for gun-smuggling, fraud. It includes “massive corruption at the police headquarters in Port Moresby by retired and serving senior police officers”.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2020/09/27/png-police-minister-says-officers-being-probed-for-gun-smuggling-fraud/

 

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

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

B20-UNDP Joint Statement / China's lessons for India / OECD compliance report

COVID-19: B20-UNDP Joint Statement.  “The B20 and UNDP welcome the commitments made in the G20 Leaders’ Extraordinary Summit (i) to foster collaboration between the public and private sectors in both the development and distribution of lifesaving goods (ii) to protect individuals and businesses of all sizes during the economic recovery and (iii) to “realize a free, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment.” We urge the G20 Leaders to commit more explicitly to accountability and anti-corruption efforts to ensure the impact and effectiveness of response and recovery efforts to COVID-19.”

UNDP: https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/news-centre/news/2020/b20-undp-joint-statement.html

 

China's crackdown against corruption: Lessons for India (Opinion).  “India and China score identically on the global corruption perception index. However, scholars like Yuen Yuen Ang point out that corruption in the two countries is very different. In India, much of the corruption happens at lower levels where greasing palms and petty bribes are necessary. But in China, the problem is at much higher levels where bureaucrats hold favours, privileges… a lesson that the Indian government would do well to remember—cracking down on dissenters doesn’t remove the dissent, nor does it deal with structural problems.”

Hamsini Hariharan/CNBC TV18: https://www.cnbctv18.com/views/chinas-crackdown-against-corruption-lessons-for-india-7042021.htm

 

OECD report: Fear of enforcement drives fight against corruption.  “Fear of enforcement and the consequential reputational fallout of an enforcement action are the top drivers for developing an anti-corruption compliance program, states a new report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).”

Jaclyn Jaeger/Compliance Week: https://www.complianceweek.com/anti-corruption/oecd-report-fear-of-enforcement-drives-fight-against-corruption/29529.article

Direct link to report: https://www.oecd.org/daf/anti-bribery/Corporate-anti-corruption-compliance-drivers-mechanisms-and-ideas-for-change.pdf

Right to know crucial / China overseas hunt / Pakistan opposition arrested

The right to know is crucial in a crisis (Statement).  “The transparent and timely sharing of information with the public, on both a proactive and reactive basis, is crucial for protecting public health, preventing corruption, safeguarding democratic institutions and improving policy and-decision-making. However, more than six months after the declaration of the pandemic, while many governments have found ways to return to normal operations despite challenges created by the pandemic, freedom of information requests continue to be delayed or refused.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/the-right-to-know-is-crucial-in-a-crisis

 

China’s anti-corruption watchdog promises to target overseas funds days after singer Wanting Qu pleads for justice for mother.  “China’s top anti-corruption body [Central Commission for Discipline Inspection] has said it will step up its efforts to target funds sent overseas by corrupt officials days after the Canada-based singer Wanting Qu demanded justice for her mother, who has been detained for six years on bribery charges.”

Zhuang Pinghui/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3103245/chinas-anti-corruption-watchdog-promises-target-overseas-funds

 

Pakistan opposition leader arrested in corruption case.  “Pakistani authorities have arrested Shehbaz Sharif, leader of the opposition and president of the country’s main opposition party, on corruption charges, the latest high-profile arrest of an opposition figure by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government… Sharif has denied all charges, contending that the assets that NAB is probing are in his relatives’ names and that he has no connection to them or how they were acquired.”

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/28/pakistan-opposition-leader-arrested-in-corruption-case