Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (30 January 2021): Fiji, PNG

FIJI

Fiji Anti-Corruption Course Garners Regional Interest.  The anti-corruption course aims to get participants to be Integrity Champions supporting FICAC and other Pacific regional anti-corruption agencies in the fight against corruption.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2021/01/26/fiji-anti-corruption-course-garners-regional-interest/

Court extends bail for MPs.  The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) will make an application to have the matter involving six SODELPA parliamentarians and a former government member of Parliament to be heard before the High Court in Suva.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2021/01/26/fiji-anti-corruption-course-garners-regional-interest/

Landowner appears in court for dishonesty.  A landowner appeared before the Nausori Magistrates Court charged by FICAC with two counts of general dishonesty obtaining a gain.

https://www.fijitimes.com/landowner-appears-in-court-for-dishonesty/

Funds from illicit drug activities are more than $10 million per annum.  While speaking during the Fiji Police Force Command Group Retreat, Pryde says drugs are a huge source of proceeds of crime and they need to continue to focus on it…Pryde also says Fiji’s legislation on proceeds of crime and money laundering is the best in the region and they must continue to use it.

https://www.fijivillage.com/feature/It-is-estimated-funds-from-illicit-drug-activities-are-more-than-10-million-per-annum--DPP-rf845x/

 

PNG

In Papua New Guinea, Political Infighting and Debt Hamper Marape’s Reforms.  Prime Minister James Marape has little to show for his efforts to “take back PNG” from corrupt elites and foreign interests, and the recent bout of political infighting hasn’t helped his case… Perhaps the most significant of Marape’s reforms is the passage of a law last month to create of an Independent Commission Against Corruption, with far-reaching investigatory powers.

https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/29321/in-papua-new-guinea-politics-and-debt-hamper-marape-s-reform-efforts

 

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

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

CPI Asia Pacific / ASEAN corruption interview / 1MDB-related pay cuts

CPI 2020: Asia Pacific.  Check out the link below for the Asia-Pacific regional analysis of the new Corruption Perception Index 2020. "With an average score of 45, the Asia Pacific region struggles to combat corruption and tackle the profound health and economic impact of COVID-19."

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2020-asia-pacific

 

Although corruption is endemic, there is still hope (Interview).  "[Francesco Checchi, UNODC Anti-Corruption Adviser] talks about the effectiveness of legal frameworks that have been instituted to arrest corruption, and the ways and means adopted to mitigate the effects of this menace. [He] also shares his insights on whether ASEAN countries can launch a collective offensive against corruption."

Francesco Checchi (interviewed)/Unravel: https://unravel.ink/although-corruption-is-endemic-there-is-still-hope/  

 

Goldman Sachs slashes David Solomon's pay over 1MDB scandal.  "Goldman Sachs' chief executive David Solomon earned…$10m less than the previous year, after the bank's board cut the pay of senior executives in the wake of 1MDB corruption scandal. The bank said…while Mr Solomon was not "involved in or aware of the firm's participation in any illicit activity at the time . . . the board views the 1MDB matter as an institutional failure, inconsistent with the high expectations it has for the firm"."

Robert Armstrong/Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/398f4808-918c-434a-8cb1-c42b6521dea6   

COVID-19 corruption interview / Responsible business conduct in procurement / Thailand anti-corruption communications research

Continuing corruption: Profiteering amid the pandemic (Interview).  “We have warned several countries that emergency packages have been adopted and implemented without necessary oversight procedures and mechanisms. This will increase the risks of misuse, fraud and corruption in the implementation of these packages.”

Francesco Checchi (interviewed)/Unravel: https://unravel.ink/continuing-corruption-profiteering-amid-the-pandemic/  

 

Integrating Responsible Business Conduct in Public Procurement (Report).  “This report takes stock of current practices integrating responsible business conduct (RBC) in public procurement and identifies possible avenues to increase the impact of public procurement strategies to promote responsible business conduct objectives.”

OECD: http://www.oecd.org/gov/integrating-responsible-business-conduct-in-public-procurement-02682b01-en.htm  

 

Chula reveals new concept to boost Thai participation in anti-corruption.  “A team of researchers at Chulalongkorn University have unveiled research on its new anti-corruption concept, dubbed “The right communications strategy for Khon Thai 4.0 (Thai people) to counter corruption”. The strategy, which encourages citizens to participate in anti-corruption efforts, has been released alongside an indicator, which will evaluate the anti-corruption levels of individuals.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2057495/chula-reveals-new-concept-to-boost-thai-participation-in-anti-corruption   

Open contracting opportunity / Thailand Integrity and Transparency Assessment / Myanmar MPs asset declaration

Open Contracting Lift program (Capacity building and funding opportunity).  This impact accelerator program to help teams of bold procurement reformers around the world to go further with their ideas and deliver change will offer extensive, tailored support from leading experts and peers to deliver better goods, works, and services, and expand economic opportunity for everyone through new or better contracting strategies. Teams will be eligible for up to $30,000 worth of direct support depending on team needs and progress, as well as 200 hours of technical assistance and support from Open Contracting Partnership.

Application deadline: Friday 12 March 2021

Open Contracting Partnership: https://lift.open-contracting.org/ 

 

Integrity and Transparency Assessment.  “Through a collaboration between Office of the [Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission] and the Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University, [Integrity and Transparency Assessment] uses a holistic and comprehensive approach to enable multi-faceted data collecting, an essential resource when looking to enhance integrity and transparency…The NACC will report ITA Results in August 2021.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2056635/integrity-and-transparency-assessment

 

NLD orders MPs to hand over lists of assets in bid to prevent corruption. “[Myanmar’s] National League for Democracy (NLD) has ordered every one of its newly elected MPs to provide a full list of their assets before December 30…The order, similar to the one the party made after its 2015 election victory, comes at the end of a term in which senior NLD figures were toppled, and even jailed, following allegations of graft.”

Nyan Hlaing Lin and Min Min/Myanmar Now: https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/nld-orders-mps-to-hand-over-lists-of-assets-in-bid-to-prevent-corruption  

Malaysia democracy and anti-corruption / India police corruption book / Pakistan power sector

A Lesson in Democracy? The Bitter Irony of Malaysia’s Failed Anticorruption Coalition (Blog).  “Autocratic systems may contribute to entrenched corruption, but after the transition to democracy, corrupt elites often remain entrenched precisely because they know how to manipulate voters and democratic processes…If a reform-oriented Prime Minister can be so readily thwarted by political challengers in Parliament, and a united electorate can so quickly splinter, then we must ask ourselves some hard questions about whether democratic ideals may be too easily exploited in a deeply corrupt system.”

Jenny Kline/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/01/22/a-lesson-in-democracy-the-bitter-irony-of-malaysias-failed-anticorruption-coalition/  

 

Corruption comes in many ‘grades’, says Annamalai in book.  “The book (Stepping Beyond Khaki – Revelations of Real-Life Singham), without taking the names of any officers, politicians or political parties, talks about how bribe plays an important role in the policing world…[K. Annamalai] says that police postings are graded into four categories based on the “economic potential” of the area and nature of policing challenges.”

Sathish G.T./The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/corruption-comes-in-many-grades-says-annamalai-in-book/article33652223.ece     

 

China’s role in knocking the lights off in Pakistan (Opinion).  “A nationwide power outage on January 10 in Pakistan came at a dark financial moment for its indebted and corrupted power sector, raising the prospect of more debilitating blackouts on the near-term horizon…The fact-finding committee presented a 296-page report to Prime Minister Khan, which lifted the lid on the extent of [Independent Power Producers] corruption, including among Chinese units installed under a government-to-government arrangement for CPEC-related operation.”

FM Shakil/Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/2021/01/chinas-role-in-knocking-the-lights-off-in-pakistan/    

Viet Nam transparent COVID recovery / Pakistan mining case / Malaysia bio-fertiliser procurement

Asia's COVID recovery: Vietnam's breakout moment.  “By the first half of 2020, Vietnam had fast-forwarded the timelines of more than a dozen massive projects…Other legacies may not be financial. In fending off the coronavirus, Vietnam was transparent almost to a fault, according to observers who hope this approach will prevail in a country better known for the opacity of party reshuffles and land deals.”

Lien Hoang/Nikkei Asia: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Asia-s-COVID-recovery-Vietnam-s-breakout-moment  

 

How Pakistan lost $6 billion on a gold mine.  “Pakistan’s US and France based real estate assets are at risk of confiscation as a United Kingdom court moves to enforce an arbitration tribunal decree that fined it US$5.9 billion for retracting a 28-year old gold exploration contract with foreign mining companies…the project hit a snag…when the Balochistan mining authority revoked TCC’s mining rights on the grounds that the company had secured the contract in a “non-transparent” manner.”

FM Shakil/Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/2021/01/how-pakistan-lost-6-billion-on-a-gold-mine/  

 

Ex-ministry officer charged with corruption involving RM100k.  “A former senior assistant secretary to a ministry was charged at the Sessions Court here today with two counts of receiving RM100,000 [approx. US$24,750] in bribes linked to the issuance of tenders for the supply and delivery of bio-fertilisers to a company.”

Jason Thomas/Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/21/ex-ministry-officer-charged-with-corruption-involving-rm100k/

Indonesia open government plan / Republic of Korea new anti-corruption agency / Malaysia civil servants arrested

Indonesia Open Government Partnership National Action Plan 2020-2022.  Indonesia has just launched its OGP NAP this week. Their anti-corruption commitments include open contracting in public procurement, beneficial owernship, budget transparency and oversight. Explore more in the link below.

Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/indonesia-action-plan-2020-2022/  

 

Korea: Powerful new anti-corruption agency to launch soon.  “One notable aspect about the [Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials] reach is that the CIO can investigate not only the crimes committed by high-ranking officials and their families but also any “related crimes,” such as those in which private parties paid bribes to high-ranking officials or acted as accomplices to the crimes committed by high-ranking officials.”

Marian Lee/The FCPA Blog: https://fcpablog.com/2021/01/20/korea-powerful-new-anti-corruption-agency-to-launch-soon/  

 

467 civil servants nabbed for corruption in 2020.  “A total of 467 civil servants were arrested for various corruption offences throughout last year, according to the arrest statistics posted on the official portal of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)…349 were from the support group, 109 from the management and professional group, and nine from the top management group.”

Free Malaysia Today: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/01/18/467-civil-servants-nabbed-for-corruption-in-2020/

Indonesia business bribery report / Republic of Korea Samsung case / UNODC Anti-Corruption Newsletter

Paying bribes in Indonesia (Blog and Report).  “Overall, some 33.2% of firms report that they have been asked to pay fees outside the official requirements… But responses vary significantly by industry. The highest proportions…are found in the extractive industries…and in constructions…while the lowest proporation of firms is in the financial sector.”

Direct link to report: https://www.newmandala.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Paying-bribes-in-Indonesia_formatted.pdf

Paul Kenny and Eve Warbuton/New Mandala: https://www.newmandala.org/paying-bribes-in-indonesia/  

 

Bottom line: Samsung boss jailing doesn’t matter (Opinion).  “It’s back to jail for Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong after a Seoul appellate court sentenced him to two and a half years in prison in the climax of the retrial of a seismic bribery case...However, the verdict is not expected to damage the electronics giant’s performance significantly, if at all. Experts note that the last time Lee was incarcerated, the company saw its stock and profits hit record highs.”

Andrew Salmon/Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/2021/01/bottom-line-samsung-boss-jailing-doesnt-matter/  

 

UNODC Southeast Asia Anti-Corruption Newsletter: October-December 2020.  Follow UNODC’s work over the past quarter, ranging from raising awareness on the nexus of gender and corruption in Myanmar, a regional study on the utilization of data analytics to prevent corruption and fraud in Southeast Asia, and advancing criminal justice response to corruption in Viet Nam.

UNODC: https://mailchi.mp/6570bf4acaea/unodc-corruption-newsletter-3597036  

Indonesia forestry risks / Beneficial ownership and procurement data / Thailand COVID surge corruption

Deregulation law ‘raises corruption risk’ in Indonesia’s forestry sector (Opinion).  “An analysis of the so-called omnibus law on job creation — passed by parliament in October to cut red tape and make it easy for companies to invest and do business in Indonesia — uncovered 21 areas of potential risk for corruption, according to Hariadi Kartodihardjo, a forestry policy lecturer at the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB).”

Hans Nicholas Jong/Mongabay: https://news.mongabay.com/2021/01/indonesia-deregulation-omnibus-law-corruption-risk/ 

 

Connecting the dots between beneficial ownership and procurement data: improving processes and identifying risk (Blog).  “This blog concentrates on the simpler case of modifying existing procurement systems and processes to collect beneficial ownership for all parties during the relevant procurement stages. On its own, this has huge advantages for compliance, internal controls and fraud detection by identifying networks between people and companies involved in procurement.”

Jack Lord/Open Data Services: https://medium.com/opendatacoop/connecting-the-dots-between-beneficial-ownership-and-procurement-data-improving-processes-and-2fd0df9d9653  

 

Thailand looks for answers as Covid cases surge (Opinion). “Now the outbreak is stirring debate about the corrupt practices that allowed the virus to resurface – and the role in the Thai economy of more than 2.5m foreign migrants who do the kingdom’s toughest jobs, from laying pavements to peeling supermarket shrimp.”

John Reed/Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/7f98f0c7-82aa-40c3-97f4-a7b185fbc08a   

Thailand no moral backstop / India state voters' concerns / Malaysia civil servants corruption

Corruption without a moral backstop (Opinion).  “What is less understandable and excusable about Thailand's Covid situation is that it has revealed a nexus of corruption, government incompetence, and a lack of vision going forward at the expense of public health. We have learned that Thailand has illegal gambling dens throughout many of its provinces, tied up with prostitution, extortion, bribery, racketeering, and the entire black underbelly of the economy.”

Thitinan Pongsudhirak/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/2051031/corruption-without-a-moral-backstop   

 

Himachal Pradesh voters seek curb on corruption.  “Transparency in [Mahatma Gandhi Employment Guarantee Act] funds and development projects, along with corruption, are the three biggest issues for people in [the Indian state] Himachal Pradesh ahead of elections to panchayati raj institutions in the state, according to an online survey”

Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/shimla/hp-voters-seek-curb-on-corruption/articleshow/80307425.cms

 

Corrupt practices among civil servants tarnish image of govt institutions.  “[Malaysian Institute of Integrity Operations Division senior general manager Hamilye Sham Harun] said the impact of corrupt practices in the civil service brings various adverse effects that could not be measured in terms of money as apart from tarnishing the government’s image, it has profound implications for national security.”

Norhsazlina Nor Azman/Bernama: https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1922739  

Myanmar digital land database / UNCAC II suggestion / Corruption, informality and social norms

Myanmar to launch digital land database.  “The online land database will be introduced to provide transparency regarding land ownership, said the [Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations U Thaung Tun]…Online investment tools and payment processes are also being implemented to simplify and improve security in the investment process, he said.”

Aung Loon/Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/myanmar-launch-digital-land-database.html  

 

Time for UNCAC Mark II? (Blog).  “So, with a reboot of the existing Convention unlikely, maybe it’s time for a new Convention—an UNCAC Mark II…which we might perhaps call the UN Convention on the Prevention of Corruption (UNCPC)—could provide a framework that promotes innovative, flexible, and forward-looking means to address corruption challenges, going beyond technical and compliance approaches.”

Alan Doig/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/01/14/guest-post-time-for-uncac-mark-ii/  

 

Corruption, informality and social norms: Introductory overview.  “Whether or not anti-corruption measures to improve natural resource management and conservation succeed is largely conditioned by context… Programme design should therefore be informed by careful analysis to understand social norms and values in the targeted region.”

Saul Mullard/U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre: https://www.u4.no/publications/corruption-informality-and-social-norms  

Banker and money laundering / India state police most corrupt / Sri Lanka opposition jailed

Every Bank Robber Needs A Getaway Car; Banker Held Accountable For Money Laundering (Blog).  “It is fundamental that we understand how integral the services of money launderers are to those involved in the underlying, predicate crime—be it organized crime or corruption… No bank robber would ever plan a robbery only up until the point that he gets to the exit—he needs a getaway car, otherwise his plan won’t work. And in the same way the corrupt acts perpetrated elsewhere need the getaway car that Western bankers and company service providers offer.”

Emile J. M. van Der Does De Willebois/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/01/13/guest-post-every-bank-robber-needs-a-getaway-car-banker-held-accountable-for-money-laundering/  

 

Cops in Gujarat top charts in graft cases.  “Cops were hailed as ‘corona warriors’ due to their work enforcing the lockdown and night curfews during this pandemic, but cases of corruption filed against them put a blot on their reputation.”

Ashish Chauhan/Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/cops-in-state-top-charts-in-graft-cases/articleshow/80203836.cms  

 

Sri Lanka jails former minister for saying judges are corrupt.  “An outspoken Sri Lankan opposition politician has been jailed for four years over his remarks alleging the majority of judges in the South Asian island nation were corrupt.”

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/1/13/sri-lanka-jails-former-minister-for-saying-judges-are-corrupt  

Singapore jails overseas offenders / Bhutan engages anti-corruption CSO / Anti-corruption documentaries recommendation

Two siblings jailed for corruption offences committed in China.  “Two siblings were jailed…for conspiring to share confidential business information with companies in China to secure contracts. The siblings were investigated by the CPIB even though the offences were carried out in China, as the Prevention of Corruption Act states that Singapore citizens who commit corrupt acts overseas will be prosecuted as if they did so in Singapore.”

Channel News Asia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/siblings-corruption-china-fined-jailed-cpib-overseas-13937956  

 

 Virtual Workshop to enrich the draft CSO Engagement Programme on Justice, Governance & Anti-Corruption.  “The Programme is expected to promote constructive engagement of the CSOs and Cooperatives in enhancing justice, governance and anti-corruption initiatives in the country and accordingly contribute towards realizing the National Key Result Areas viz. Corruption Reduced and Justice Services & Institutions Strengthened.”

Anti-Corruption Commission of Bhutan: https://www.acc.org.bt/?q=node/2221  

 

What To Watch: 5 Anti-Corruption Documentaries from Films for Transparency (Blog).  “Here are our picks of the top investigative reporting documentaries shown virtually during the [Films for Transparency festival]” The list features documentaries from around the world, including “Sexy Killers” from Indonesia, which is about the coal mining industry and the linkages between mining companies and political elites.

Andrea Arzaba/Global Investigative Journalism Network: https://gijn.org/2021/01/06/what-to-watch-5-anti-corruption-documentaries-from-films-for-transparency/  

SOE buyer selection guide / Thailand tourism blames corruption / Philippines pursues officials, lobbyists

How to Select Buyers of Oil, Gas and Minerals: Guide for State-Owned Enterprises (Resource).  “This Guidance is intended to strengthen state-owned enterprises (SOEs)’ capacity to market commodities and optimise the value of resources sold. It explains how SOEs can set up transparent and competitive buyer selection procedures that reduce discretion, close opportunities for favouritism and corruption, ultimately leading to increased revenues for improved development outcomes.”

OECD: http://www.oecd.org/dev/how-to-select-buyers-of-oil-gas-and-minerals-a522e6c0-en.htm  

 

Pattaya tourism groups blame ‘corrupt’ government officials for causing Covid-19 second wave.  “The first coronavirus outbreak [in Thailand] couldn’t have been helped, [Tourism Council member Thanet Supornsahatrangsi] said, noting it spread quickly from China before anyone was aware. This time, however, the epidemic was entirely preventable if “corrupt” government officials had not let virus-infected illegal aliens enter the country and if police had done their job and shut down illegal casinos everyone knew existed.”

Pattaya Mail: https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/pattaya-tourism-groups-blame-corrupt-government-officials-for-causing-covid-19-second-wave-340016  

 

DOF goes after corrupt public officials, private lobbyists.  “The Philippine Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said erring revenue officers in agencies overseen by the DOF have been punished in line with the government’s anti-corruption fight. These included the country’s two biggest tax-collection agencies—the bureaus of Customs (BOC) and of Internal Revenue (BIR)”

Ben O. de Vera/The Inquirer: https://business.inquirer.net/315529/dof-goes-after-corrupt-public-officials-private-lobbyists  

Myanmar new infrastructure projects / Philippines inaction complaints / GovTech trust and corruption risks

Experts Warn of Backlash Against Chinese Infrastructure Projects in Myanmar.  “With China’s ambitious backbone infrastructure projects set to get off the ground this year in Myanmar, mostly in the ethnic states, environmentalists and local observers warn that the National League for Democracy-led (NLD) government will face severe public resistance if it keeps failing to address a lack of transparency surrounding the projects, and to engage with local communities.”

Nan Lwin/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/experts-warn-backlash-chinese-infrastructure-projects-myanmar.html  

 

PACC chief faces complaints over alleged lack of action against local officials linked to drugs, corruption.  “[Dr. Chao-Tiao Yumol] has filed complaints against Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission chief Greco Belgica — accusing the official of lack of action on the alleged involvement of two local officials in graft and corruption and illegal drug trade… However, Belgica dismissed the complaint in August, saying if Yumol indeed has evidence against the Furigays, he should simply file a case since the PACC has no jurisdiction on elected officials.”

CNN Philippines: https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/1/6/pacc-commissioner-greco-belgica-faces-complaints-alleged-lack-of-action-.html   

 

Social engineering as a corruption risk (Blog).  “In the GovTech space, keeping systems secure is critical to retaining trust of users and increasing uptake of e-services and citizen engagement platforms…Policy makers…and reformers need to be proactive and innovate to combat new corruption opportunities through technology, open data, and behavioral science.”

Kimberly Johns/World Bank: https://blogs.worldbank.org/governance/social-engineering-corruption-risk

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (9 January 2021): Fiji, PNG, Vanuatu

FIJI

Police Arrest Man For Driving Test Impersonation.  The Land Transport Authority of Fiji (LTA) apprehended and handed a man over to the Fiji Police Force…for impersonating a defensive driving test applicant. Mr Simpson said that the Authority does not tolerate corruption from anyone – whether it is LTA employees, customers, or other stakeholders.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2021/01/07/police-arrest-man-for-driving-test-impersonation/

Audit points out potential window for bribery.  The auditor-general has found the Department of Environment has no policy or framework to prevent and detect actual, potential and perceived conflict of interest that could expose staff members to the risk of bribery from developers “who may find the EIA (environmental impact assessment) process a hindrance to their projects”.

https://www.fijitimes.com/audit-points-out-potential-window-for-bribery/

5 Ways The Pacific Region Can Recover With Integrity in 2021.  During the upcoming Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting, key civil society groups are calling upon Pacific leaders to do five things. 1) Prioritise the strengthening of national governance and integrity systems; 2) Review progress on the Teieniwa Vision and agree on key steps to strengthen action in 2021 for greater government transparency and accountability; 3) Urgently establish inclusive national processes for auditing state of emergency finances and procurement to date; 4) Establish and adequately resource key oversight mechanisms; 5) Ensure freedom of expression, and press freedom across the region.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2020/12/09/5-ways-the-pacific-region-can-recover-with-integrity-in-2021/

 

PNG

ICAC is here to combat corruption in PNG, says PM Marape.  PNG Prime Minister James Marape, MP, says the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) was there to ensure there was an avenue for whistle blowers to report corrupt practices that they found happening in the dealings of politicians, public servants and businesses including contractors.

https://news.pngfacts.com/2020/12/icac-is-here-to-combat-corruption-in.html

Farewell Sir Mek, The Campaigner Against Systemic and Systematic Corruption in PNG.  The Post Courier joins the Nation in mourning Sir Mek, the former Prime Minister who was affectionately known for campaigning against corruption in PNG.

https://postcourier.com.pg/farewell-sir-mek-the-campaigner-against-systemic-and-systematic-corruption-in-png/

 

VANUATU

Former Vanuatu prime minister found guilty of perjury.  Vanuatu's former prime minister, Charlot Salwai, has been found guilty of perjury… Salwai and two other former MPs were last week acquitted of 10 other bribery and corruption charges related to the appointments.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/433008/former-vanuatu-prime-minister-found-guilty-of-perjury

 

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

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

China Criminal Law amendment / Bangladesh e-procurement in judiciary / Malaysia meat scandal officials

China amends Criminal Law to increase penalties for private-sector bribery (Blog).  “Unlike the [US] Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which focuses primarily on whether a recipient of a corrupt payment is a government official, Chinese law distinguishes between “state functionaries” (i.e., those who perform “public duties”) and non-state functionaries. This distinction depends on the individual’s level and duty, rather than the employer, so mid-level or low-level employees of government agencies and state-owned enterprises are unlikely to be deemed as “state functionaries” under Chinese law.”

Helen Hwang and Shuai Kong/The FCPA Blog: https://fcpablog.com/2021/01/05/china-amends-criminal-law-to-increase-penalties-for-private-sector-bribery/  

 

E-procurement vital to reduce corruption.  “[Bangladesh’s] Law Minister Anisul Huq said the e- procurement system is very much important in reducing corruption in the government's procurement issues and to purchase accurate items at a reasonable price. People's participation will be increased and transparency will be ensured if the e-procurement system is properly implemented in all sectors including the judiciary, he said.”

The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/city/news/e-procurement-vital-reduce-corruption-2023229  

 

Johor MACC nabs quarantine and inspection duo over ‘meat cartel’ scandal.  “Two officers from the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) have been arrested by state graftbusters...on suspicion of being involved in corrupt activities related to the issue of smuggling of frozen raw materials… that do not have the required Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) halal certification.”

Ben Tan/Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/01/07/johor-macc-nabs-quarantine-and-inspection-duo-over-meat-cartel-scandal/1938094

Malaysia fictitious agreement bribery / Pakistan opposition jailed without proof / China death sentence

Bribes to Rosmah masked via fictitious agreement, says prosecution.  “[Rosmah Mansor [former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib’s wife] is on trial for soliciting RM187.5mil [approx. US$46.7 mil] and two counts of receiving bribes totalling RM6.5mil [approx. US$1.6 mil] from Saidi, as a reward for helping Jepak Holdings to secure the Hybrid Photovoltaic Solar System Integrated Project, as well as the maintenance and operation of diesel gen-sets, for 369 rural schools in Sarawak, which was worth RM1.25bil from the Education Ministry (MOE) through direct negotiation.”

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/12/31/bribes-to-rosmah-masked-via-fictitious-agreement-says-prosecution  

 

Shehbaz in prison for 100 days ‘with unproven charges’.  “PML-N Secretary Information Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that party President and [Pakistan] National Assembly Opposition Leader Shehbaz Sharif has been behind bars for the last 100 days without any proof of corruption.”

The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2278587/shehbaz-in-prison-for-100-days-with-unproven-charges  

 

Ex-chairman of China Huarong Asset Management sentenced to death.  “The former chairman of China Huarong Asset Management Co has been sentenced to death…in one of the country’s highest profile corruption cases. Lai Xiaomin was convicted of receiving or seeking bribes totalling 1.788 billion yuan ($276.72 million) from 2008 to 2018, when he was also a senior banking regulator, according to the Secondary Intermediate People’s Court of Tianjin.”

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-huarong-lai/ex-chairman-of-chinas-huarong-asset-management-sentenced-to-death-idUSKBN29A0V5

Malaysia investigative journalism vital / Singapore corruption casebook / Indonesia crisis within crisis

Investigative journalism vital in the fight against institutional corruption (Opinion).  “Today in Malaysia, too often we see reports and allegations of corruption over a prolonged period of time. What is expected is, these will trigger investigations by the authorities…Journalists must understand the basic rules of corruption investigations and the common methods used to perpetrate corrupt acts…Based on complaints received by MACC between 2013 and 2018, procurement fraud topped the list of sectors prone to corruption at 42.8 per cent.”

Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar/New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2020/12/652840/investigative-journalism-vital-fight-against-institutional  

 

CPIB launches e-book to educate teenagers on corruption and its pitfalls.  “The e-book is catered specifically to those aged between 13 and 19. Corruption Casebook - Stories From Under The Table is available for download on [Singapore’s] Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB) website. It comes after a Republic Polytechnic survey this year showed only 34 per cent, in a poll of about 1,000 people aged between 15 and 25, had come across the topic of corruption in school.”

Jean Lau/The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/cpib-launches-e-book-to-educate-teenagers-on-corruption-and-its-pitfalls  

 

The crisis within a crisis: COVID-19 and corruption (Opinion).  “Many anticorruption scholars and supporters are eager to know what the investigation by the [Indonesian Corruption Eradication Commission] will reveal regarding the causes of the failure of the [government internal supervisory apparatus] to prevent corruption or misconduct. The emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic poses not only a threat to our health and safety but is also affecting various aspects of our life, including our economy.”

Hendi Yogi Prabowo/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2020/12/28/the-crisis-within-a-crisis-covid-19-and-corruption.html

Indonesia perceived corruption increase / China anti-corruption lessons / Afghanistan health minister resigned

Indonesians believe corruption more rampant [in 2020], survey finds.  “A majority of Indonesians noticed that corruption had become more rampant in the country, according to a recent survey by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC). The survey polled 1,202 respondents from Dec. 23 to 26 and found that 55 percent of them believed there were more corruption cases in 2020 than in the previous year, and 26 percent said it was the same as last year.”

The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/12/30/indonesians-believe-corruption-more-rampant-this-year-survey-finds.html  

 

Corruption and growth: Learnings from the dragon (Opinion).  “While continuing its efforts to increase transparency and eradicate corrupt practices from the very root (this may take much longer than anticipated), India needs to learn from Chinese system to progress at a rapid pace to be world’s economic powerhouse and become atmanirbhar, wherein common citizens don’t feel the punch at the grassroots level.”

Rakesh Mohan Joshi/Financial Express: https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/corruption-and-growth-learnings-from-the-dragon/2162500/  

 

Afghan health minister ‘resigns’ amid corruption charges.  “Afghanistan's health minister has resigned in connection with a corruption scandal involving his brother and a number of other relatives…This came days after the Attorney General’s Office confirmed that four people have been arrested at the Ministry of Public Health on charges of soliciting bribes from its employees.”

Shadi Khan Saif/Anadolu Agency: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/afghan-health-minister-resigns-amid-corruption-charges/2095000   

Myanmar business opportunities / Viet Nam next leader / Halal industry anti-corruption blockchain

Opportunities available for Myanmar businesses in the next five years.  Vicky Bowman from the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business “said the government needs to recognize that it is not just about improving the ease of doing business…but in doing so responsibly. ‘A lot of governments are coming from a position in which businesses are likely to be the bad guys and need to be controlled, but the [governments] don’t quite recognize their own role in creating the legislative environment to enable businesses to act responsibly,”

Kyaw Soe Htet/Myanmar Times: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/opportunities-available-myanmar-businesses-next-five-years.html  

 

Vietnam's leader wants a successor tough on corruption (Commentary). “Two men are said to be favored to replace Trong as general-secretary -- 67-year-old Tran Quoc Vuong, a standing member of the party secretariat, and 66-year-old Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the incumbent prime minister…"Vuong is able to continue Trong's so-called "dot lo" -- or "burning to ashes" -- or anti-corruption campaign, in other words" [Duong Quoc Chinh, a Hanoi-based political analyst] said.”

Tomoya Onishi/Nikkei Asia: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Vietnam-s-leader-wants-a-successor-tough-on-corruption   

 

Could blockchain technology clean up corruption in the halal industry? (Opinion). “Blockchain technology removes the need for a trusted third party to ensure an independent assessment of the integrity of a product or its network, as the longest chain serves as proof of the sequence of events witnessed. This technology could enforce end-to-end halal assurance based on specific halal market requirements, supported by automated smart contracts.

Jamari Mohtar/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/opinion/letters/2020/12/25/could-blockchain-technology-clean-up-corruption-in-the-halal-industry