Bribery victims compensation / Ending poverty and corruption / Mongolia CPI assessment

Recovering Damages for Corruption — Bribery Victims (Blog).  “In drafting the UN Convention Against Corruption, governments agreed quickly and without dissent upon what is now article 35. It requires parties to ensure their domestic law permit any person or entity harmed by corruption to “initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for the damage to obtain compensation.” Yet what evidence there is shows article 35’s promise remains largely unfulfilled.”

Richard Messick/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/04/21/recovering-damages-for-corruption-bribery-victims/

 

We cannot end poverty without ending corruption (Opinion).  “Although some scholars view corruption as an enabler of development rather than an obstacle, particularly at an early stage of modernisation and development, numerous studies on corruption concluded that communities incur substantial economic and social costs as a result of it. The use of public office for private gains always benefits a powerful few, while imposing huge costs on large sections of society.”

Ismail Ali/The Daily Star: https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/news/we-cannot-end-poverty-without-ending-corruption-2085341  

 

Assessment on Mongolian Corruption Perceptions Index for 2020.  “In this interview, [O. Batbayar, CEO of Transparency International Mongolia] outlined what Mongolia needs to improve indicators: approve the law on political parties, the law on the state-owned industries, and the whistleblower protection Act, which disclose corruption actions and the law on mining transparency, and solve issues to create a legal framework for the disclosure of end-user and beneficiary information, and ensure that the buying process is free of corruption.”

Baljmaa. T/Montsame News Agency: https://www.montsame.mn/en/read/262183  

Mongolia prevention saves $10 million / International vetting for public office / Thailand corruption post-coup

Mongolia: corruption prevention activity has saved over $10 million.  “One of the primary functions in corruption prevention is to review these regulations to discover if there is a bureaucracy, unnecessary steps in providing civil service that may cause corruption…As a result of the corruption prevention activity, vehicle importers and citizens of Mongolia save up to 30.4 billion tugriks ($10.6 million) annually.”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia: https://www.iaac.mn/news/mongolia-corruption-prevention-activity-has-saved-over-1sh-million/  

Thank you to Erkhemjargal Odsuren, IAAC, for sharing this article.

 

To Trust is to Choose: International experts vetting candidates for public office (Blog).  “Countries where state institutions are perceived as corrupt all share a similar dilemma: Why should citizens trust a candidate for public office who was selected by a state body which citizens simply don’t trust? In light of this dilemma, Ukraine came up with an innovative mechanism: Giving international experts a decisive role in selecting candidates for public office.”

Tilman Hoppe, Anthony Hooper and José Igreja Matos/Verfassungsblog: https://verfassungsblog.de/to-trust-is-to-choose/

Thank you to Dr. Tilman Hoppe for sharing this article.

 

Was anything accomplished by the military coups we had in the last two decades? (Opinion).  “If the goal of the coups was to end corruption once and for all then the 2014 coup has failed spectacularly as well…Ask any businesses leader and they will tell you that corruption is actually more endemic, the rates much higher, and more prevalent under the current government than the previous ones.”

Cod Satrusayang/Thai Enquirer: https://www.thaienquirer.com/26619/opinion-was-anything-accomplished-by-the-military-coups-we-had-in-the-last-two-decades/  

Viet Nam lower informal payment costs / Thailand campaign making progress / Singapore corruption reports 5-year low

Anti-corruption efforts helping cut informal business costs.  “The Government’s anti-corruption efforts have proven increasingly effective, helping enterprises significantly reduce informal costs, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) 2020 report conducted by VCCI shows that the rate of companies forced to pay informal charges fell to 44.9 percent from 66 percent in 2016, the lowest proportion since 2006.”

VietnamPlus: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/anticorruption-efforts-helping-cut-informal-business-costs/200656.vnp  

 

Team against Corruption makes progress in its mission.  “Anti-corruption activities and campaigns under [Thailand’s National Anti-Corruption Commission] have given birth to concrete procedures such as Watch and Voice, tackling corruption risks, law violations, and conflicts of interest issues within local communities. Local corruption issues have since been better addressed and alleviated by those assistance measures.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2104547/team-against-corruption-makes-progress-in-its-mission  

 

Number of corruption-related reports at 5-year low: CPIB.  “[Singapore’s] Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)…said that it received 239 corruption-related reports last year, a five-year low and a drop of 32 per cent compared to 2019…The agency said that the COVID-19 pandemic may have played a role in the decline in reports it received in 2020.”

Channel NewsAsia: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cpib-corruption-singapore-firmly-under-control-reports-low-14673632  

Balancing probity and economic activity / Alliance for Integrity global conference / Mongolia US$1.4 million recovered

Prevention of corruption should not stymie the creation of credit.  “This column makes the case that governance is not an outright morality play, but a delicate balancing act between probity and economic activity. We wish to make it clear that we do not posit the two as polar opposites either.”

V. Anantha Nageswaran and Aankhi Ghost/Mint: https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/prevention-of-corruption-should-not-stymie-the-creation-of-credit-11618850491300.html   

 

4^th Global Conference of Alliance for Integrity: Achieving Business Integrity through Collection Action – Success, Lessons and Challenges.  “While showcasing its own experiences, the Alliance for Integrity invites a diverse set of speakers…to reflect how Collective Action can be leveraged even further, which new and innovative ways of cooperation are possible, where potentials for upscaling and replications exist and how specific challenges of different actors can be taken into account. In addressing these questions, this Conference [27-29 April] will demonstrate how Collective Action can be a key to achieving business integrity for a sustainable economic environment.” Agenda and registration link below.

Alliance for Integrity: https://www.allianceforintegrity.org/en/events-and-training-activities/events/details.php?id=151  

 

$1.4 million confiscated in corruption case.  “Mongolian Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC) seized US$1.4 million in the course of an investigation of the corruption case involving “Salkhit Silver Mine” located in the country’s central region. Following the First Instance District Criminal Court of Ulaanbaatar Resolution …and the Supreme Court order, IAAC transferred US$1.4 million seized during an investigation to the Budget Revenue Treasury converting it into state income”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia (IAAC): https://www.iaac.mn/news/1-4-million-confiscated-in-corruption-case/

India agriculture reform bills / Mongolia parliament oath amended / Global anti-corruption summits 2021

India’s Agriculture Reform Bills May Not Be Perfect, But They Can Help Fight Rampant Corruption (Blog).  “The government shouldn’t take away the [Minimum Support Price] safety net without transitional support…and India’s Competition Commission should be given a strong role in ensuring free and fair competition. And more safeguards should be added to guard against corruption in the administrative dispute resolution system for private sale contracts.”

Disha Verma/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/04/12/indias-agriculture-reform-bills-may-not-be-perfect-but-they-can-help-fight-rampant-corruption/  

 

The oath of a member of the Mongolian parliament has been amended.  “Prior to this change, the oldest member of the Parliament read out the oath, “As a member of the Parliament of Mongolia, I swear to uphold the interests of all citizens and the state, respect the state law, and perform my duties honestly” and the other members follow him or her and repeat this oath. However, in accordance with the amendments to the relevant law, the words “to be free from corruption and conflict of interest” were added to the oath”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia (IAAC): https://www.iaac.mn/news/the-oath-of-a-member-of-the-mongolian-parliament-has-been-amended/  

Thank you to Erkhemjargal Odsuren, IAAC, for sharing this article.

 

Open Opportunities: Making the Most of 2021 Global Summits (Blog). “As the world looks to a post-pandemic future, a number of global fora in 2021 offer opportunities to chart the course toward building back better and renewing our democracies.” Explore the link below for an overview of the remaining 2021 calendar of summits to advance democracy and anti-corruption.

Abigail Bellows/Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/open-opportunities-making-the-most-of-2021-global-summits/  

Viet Nam corruption control performance / Malaysia former attorney general interview / Thailand anti-corruption measures

Vietnam shows best corruption control in public sector in 10 year.  “The control of corruption in the public sector last year showed the best performance in a decade, since the Vietnam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (PAPI) survey was first conducted…PAPI is a flagship governance programme initiated by the UN Development Programmes in Vietnam since 2009.”

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/04/17/vietnam-shows-best-corruption-control-in-public-sector-in-10-year    

 

New Podcast, Featuring Tommy Thomas (Blog/Podcast).  “Tommy Thomas, who served as the Attorney General of Malaysia in 2018-2020, and who in that capacity headed the investigation and prosecution of cases arising out of the so-called 1MDB corruption scandal. Our conversation covers both the 1MDB scandal and the broader political and economic circumstances that contributed to and facilitated this and similar sorts of corruption.”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/04/13/new-podcast-featuring-tommy-thomas/   

 

Promotion of prevention and suppression of corruption.  “The Office of National Anti-Corruption Commission (ONACC) provides promotion of prevention and suppression of corruption for participation in fighting corruption as follows: 1. Witness Protection Measures... 2. Protection of Persons Acting in Good Faith…3. Whistleblower Rewards”

Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/pr/2100687/promotion-of-prevention-and-suppression-of-corruption

Call for papers - supranational anti-corruption responses / Corruption as social norm / Mongolia international anti-corruption agreements

Call for Papers: Anti-Corruption Symposium, 18-19 November 2021, Vienna, Austria.  “The organizers are inviting paper or short essay proposals from scholars, private sector professionals, international organizations professionals, policymakers, public officials, civil society organizations, and the broader international anti-corruption community. The deadline to submit aproposal is 15 May 2021.”

International Anti-Corruption Academy: https://www.iaca.int/resources/news-articles/188-2021/1362-anti-corruption-symposium,-18-19-november-2021,-vienna,-austria.html  

 

Is it a Social Norm, or Something Else? The Curious Case of a Traffic Police Officer in India (Blog).  “Since I started working with the Corruption, Justice and Legitimacy Program (CJL), I have learned that it is not easy to apply social norms frameworks to real life situations... this post takes a common corruption scenario and applies the CJL social norms framework to it in order to illustrate the process to our readers.”

Dhaval Kothari/Tufts University: https://sites.tufts.edu/ihs/is-it-a-social-norm-or-something-else-the-curious-case-of-a-traffic-police-officer-in-india/  

 

Mongolia: Importance of international agreement on corruption crime investigation.  “Under the auspices of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, the Parliament of Mongolia…established The Independent Authority Against Corruption (IAAC)… the number of detected corruption crimes is increasing year by year… Currently, Mongolia has signed 28 bilateral agreements with 20 countries, including 17 Agreements on the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal, 17 Agreement on the Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil and Commercial matters, 17 Agreement on Extradition of Offenders, and 9 Agreement on Extradition of Convicted Offenders.”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia: https://www.iaac.mn/news/mongolia-importance-of-international-agreement-on-corruption-crime-investigation/  

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (17 April 2021): Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands, PNG, Tonga, Cook Islands

FIJI:

iTaukei Land Trust Board commit to anti-bribery goals.  The iTaukei Land Trust Board becomes the fifth institution to join the ‘I don’t accept bribes’ campaign, to which, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has commended the TLTB for joining in the fight against the incitement to bribery. TLTB will undergo training as part of the ‘I don’t accept bribes’ campaign conducted by the FICAC.

https://ficac.org.fj/pg_news.php?pg=1428
 

USP pro-chancellor Thompson replies to call to resign.  The University of the South Pacific (USP) pro-chancellor Winston Thompson says that the USP Students Association has two members on the USP Council and they should not broadcast matter dealt with by the council to the world…[after] a letter written by the USPSA [called] for his resignation, “We have lost confidence in the pro-chancellor and view the position as being highly politically motivated.”

https://www.fijitimes.com/thompson-replies-to-call-to-resign/

 

 

SAMOA:

JAWS President to chair anti-corruption network.  Samoa has taken a leading role in the Pacific’s anti-corruption Journalists’ Network (PACJN) following the selection of Rudy Bartley, President of the Journalists Association of Western Samoa (JAWS) to chair the network’s steering committee. The announcement was made during a virtual meeting, ‘The Role of Whistleblowers in Preventing Corruption in the Pacific’ hosted by the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA) and the United Nations Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC).

https://www.fijitimes.com/jaws-president-to-chair-anti-corruption-network/

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Double votes detected in Samoa election count.  The Office of the Electoral Commission in Samoa has confirmed that dozens of voters voted twice in last week's elections.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/440523/double-votes-detected-in-samoa-election-count

 

PNG:

Covid-19 catering scandal highlights PNG government failure to publish promised reports.  The latest scandal over catering services at the Rita Flynn Isolation Centre highlights the government’s broken promises to publish previous audit reports and break the cycle of impunity enjoyed by senior bureaucrats. The tsunami of corruption that is drowning our nation can only be addressed through greater transparency and public accountability, yet the Prime Minister has repeatedly broken his promises to publish previous audit reports and hold people accountable for corruption and mismanagement.

https://actnowpng.org/blog/blog-entry-covid-catering-scandal-highlights-govt-failure-publish-reports

 

TONGA:

Trial starts of Lavulavu couple charged with obtaining money by false pretences.  The trial against a current Cabinet Minister and People’s Representative to Parliament, ‘Akosita Lavulavu and her husband, ‘Etuate Lavulavu, also a former Cabinet Minister, started on April 12 at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

https://matangitonga.to/2021/04/13/trial-starts-lavulavu-couple-charged-obtaining-money-false-pretences

 

COOK ISLANDS:

Cook Islands Police receive added boost to sea surveillance abilities.  Small island countries need to monitor and keep building their capability through training and utilising advanced technology to manage the threat of crime in the region, including the sea trafficking of drugs and illegal fishing.  The police will be better placed to monitor the Cook Islands’ EEZ and work closely with its international partners in the surveillance of the broader Pacific region.

https://www.cookislandsnews.com/internal/national/crime/police-receive-added-boost/

Pakistan pharmacists anti-corruption effort / Open Government call to action / Indonesia-Singapore extradition issue

Pharmacists seek action over corruption.  “In a letter, [Pakistan Young Pharmacist Association] general secretary Dr Furqan Ibrahim asked International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva for intervention to ensure that the Pakistani authorities complete inquiries into the [Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan] financial and administrative irregularities for the recovery of embezzled funds and punishment of the culpable officials.”

The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/819692-pharmacists-seek-action-over-corruption  

 

Co-Chair Global Call-to-Action for All OGP Members.  “In support of Open Renewal, the Co-Chairs of [Open Government Partnership (OGP)], the Republic of Korea and Maria Baron of Directorio Legislativo, have launched a global call-to-action for all OGP members in 2021 to use their new and existing action plans to make ambitious commitments that address core challenges. This includes anti-corruption, civic space and participation, and digital governance where they can share their expertise and experience.”

Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/documents/global-call-to-action-for-all-ogp-members/  

 

Indonesian anti-graft body apologises for official's disparaging remarks on Singapore.  “Indonesia's anti-graft body, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), apologised for a statement made by its senior official about the difficulty of pursuing Indonesians suspected of corruption in Singapore…[after] Police Inspector-General Karyoto…at KPK called Singapore a safe haven for graft fugitives, and said it was hard to chase Indonesian suspects, especially since both countries still did not have an extradition treaty.”

The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/04/14/indonesian-anti-graft-body-apologises-for-official039s-disparaging-remarks-on-singapore  

Pakistan anti-corruption campaign / Mongolia MP code of conduct / IMF emergency lending review

Chairman NAB on awareness and prevention strategy: ‘Corruption creates socio-economic turmoil, engulfing whole system’.  “Chairman [National Accountability Bureau of Pakistan] Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal said the NAB’s effective Awareness and Prevention Strategy has started yielding excellent results…During 2020, the NAB’s awareness campaign was effectively highlighted by the media without spending any budget…the NAB and Higher Education Commission (HEC) have [also] signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for creating awareness amongst the students of various universities and colleges.”

The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/818853-chairman-nab-on-awareness-and-prevention-strategy-corruption-creates-socio-economic-turmoil-engulfing-whole-system  

 

Draft code of conduct for members of parliament has been submitted.  “The purpose of the revised “Code of Conduct for members of the Mongolian Parliament” is to aid Members of Parliament to live up to their oath and carry out their duty…According to the draft code, the Standing Committee on Ethics and Discipline will impose sanctions on members who violate the rules, with a warning, stern warning, apologies, and a 20 percent reduction in salary for up to 6 months.”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia (IAAC): https://www.iaac.mn/news/draft-code-of-conduct-for-members-of-parliament-has-been-submitted/  

Thank you to Erkhemjargal Odsuren, IAAC, for sharing this article.

 

Integrity in IMF emergency lending: what worked? (Blog). “By encouraging commitments on both [public procuremewnt and beneficial ownership transparency], the IMF took a strong stance on promoting good governance and accountability and that is worth celebrating…It would be fair to say that the implementation of the commitments was hit and miss.”

Open Ownership: https://www.openownership.org/blogs/integrity-in-imf-emergency-lending-what-worked/  

Viet Nam Provincial Competitiveness Index / Malaysia healthy anti-corruption campaign / TI CPI methodology

Official launch of the 2020 Viet Nam Provincial Competitiveness Index (Livestream).  The Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) is an annual business survey and ranking of the economic governance quality of provincial authorities in creating a favorable business environment for development of the private sector, including measuring how firms pay ‘informal charges’, and access to mechanisms to appeal against officials’ corruption behavior. The launch will be livestreamed on Thursday 15 April, 9:00-11:00 (GMT+7) via the link below.

PCI: https://www.facebook.com/PCI-VIET-NAM-104120331295704  

 

10,000 expected to join 'Malaysia 100 million steps against corruption'.  “A total of 10,000 participants have been targeted to participate in the [Malaysia 100 Million Steps Against Corruption, a programme aimed at creating awareness to avoid corrupt practices, while cultivating a healthy lifestyle] to be conducted virtually, from [today] until June 30…Those interested can register free at https://cps4.me/100juta”

The Edge Market: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/10000-expected-join-malaysia-100-million-steps-against-corruption   

 

Democracy that Delivers #257: Everything You Didn’t Know about TI’s Corruption Perceptions Index with Jon Vrushi (Podcast).  “Jon Vrushi, Transparency International’s Research Coordinator, joins [Anti-Corruption & Governance Center’s] podcast to discuss the statistical basis and methodology behind the world’s most popular corruption measure: The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI).”

Frank Brown and Ken Jaques/Center for Inpernational Private Enterprise: https://www.cipe.org/blog/2021/04/08/democracy-that-delivers-257-everything-you-didnt-know-about-tis-corruption-perceptions-index-with-jon-vrushi/  

Viet Nam PAPI launch / Thailand state cooperative case / India judiciary oversight

Official launch of the Viet Nam Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index (Livestream).  “PAPI measures and benchmarks citizens’ experiences and perception on the performance and quality of policy implementation and services delivery [including on control of corruption] of all 63 provincial governments in Vietnam to advocate for effective and responsive governance.” Register via the link below for a livestream of the launch on Wednesday 14 April 2021, 08:30-11:00 (GMT+7).

PAPI: http://congbo2020.papi.org.vn/en/   

 

DSI freezes properties worth B85m in graft probe.  “A freeze has been ordered on 78 tracts of land and buildings allegedly acquired using money defrauded from a State Railway of Thailand [SRT] savings cooperative, according to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI)… Investigators linked the embezzled funds were linked to a network of officials led by a former SRT club executive.”

King-oua Laohong/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2097647/dsi-freezes-properties-worth-b86m-in-graft-probe     

 

Corruption has become deeply pervasive, says Madras HC.  “The Madras High Court…directed the [Indian] State government to apprise it of the structure of vigilance and anti-corruption mechanism set up in the State, the extent of work done by the officials concerned in the last three financial years and the degree of independence accorded to the Vigilance Commissioner and the Directorate.”

The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/corruption-has-become-deeply-pervasive-says-madras-hc/article34276078.ece  

Malaysia syndicate raid / Cambodia investment embezzlement / India Direct Benefit Transfer system

Malaysia's graft buster finds $1.1m cash, luxury yacht, two helicopters in project syndicate raid.  “Malaysia's Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) found a total of RM3.5 million (US$846,000) in cash when it raided a house belonging to a 47-year-old Datuk, believed to be the ringleader of a syndicate which made bids for billions in government contracts using hundreds of shell companies.”

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysias-graft-buster-finds-11m-cash-luxury-yacht-two-helicopters-in-project-syndicate  

 

Cambodian investors wonder where their $20m went.  “Cambodian financial investment company GoldFX Investment announced a temporary suspension of operations on March 29 after claiming staff members had embezzled more than US$20 million from the firm.”

David Hutt/Asia Times: https://asiatimes.com/2021/04/cambodian-investors-wonder-where-their-20m-went/      

 

DBT ensures transparency.  “The [Direct Benefit Transfer] system [for making payments directly to the farmers for their produce] was launched by the [Government of India] in 2013 with the aim of ensuring accurate targeting of beneficiaries of welfare schemes, besides minimising duplication and curbing fraud”

The Tribune: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/editorials/dbt-ensures-transparency-236046  

Malaysia corporate liability law / Pakistan police anti-corruption / Psychology of corruption

AI: Using analytics to stem the rising tide of corporate fraud in Malaysia.  “Small and medium enterprises and both the public and private sectors are usually exposed to fraudulent supply chains, fraudulent procurement, fraudulent expenses, fraudulent invoices…“In general, the appropriate legislative framework is in place in Malaysia. For example, the recent section 17A amendment to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, to introduce corporate liability for corruption offences, is world class,”

Jonathan Lim/The Edge Markets: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/ai-using-analytics-stem-rising-tide-corporate-fraud-malaysia  

 

Steps taken to stop corruption in FIR registration.  “Inspector General of the Federal Capital Police said that basic rationale of corruption in police stations is registration of first information report (FIR)… a policy of free registration of cases has been adopted and as a result more than 370 cases pending in different police station of Islamabad have been converted into FIRs and optimistically corruption for registering FIRs will be reduced”

Shakeel Anjum/The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/815519-steps-taken-to-stop-corruption-in-fir-registration  

 

The psychology of corruption (Opinion).  “[Studies] show that corruption spreads primarily through exposure, until it becomes endemic…The problem lies in sociopolitical systems. For example, if citizens witness that those in authority suffer no consequences when flaunting quarantine rules, they will find it harder to comply with these.”

Queena N. Lee-Chua/Inquirer: https://business.inquirer.net/320786/the-psychology-of-corruption  

External audits for budget credibility / Malaysia Najib 1MDB appeal / Mongolia newly implemented law

Upholding commitments: How supreme audit institutions can strengthen budget credibility through external audits (Brief).  “Lack of budget credibility undermines public trust in institutions and jeopardizes the integrity of public funds, increasing corruption risks…The aim of this paper is to take stock of how external audits are currently analyzing issues of budget credibility and to identify trends, gaps, opportunities and challenges to further advance budget assessments along this line. The review is based on 80 audit reports from 20 [Supreme Audit Institutions across regions.”

Aránzazu Guillán Montero/International Budget Partnership: https://www.internationalbudget.org/publications/upholding-commitments-how-supreme-audit-institutions-can-strengthen-budget-credibility-through-external-audits/  

 

Malaysia’s Najib appeals 1MDB-linked corruption conviction.  “A Malaysian court has begun hearing a bid by former Prime Minister Najib Razak to overturn his conviction on corruption charges, in a case linked to the looting of the 1MDB state investment fund.”

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/5/malaysias-najib-appeals-1mdb-linked-corruption-conviction  

 

Newly Implemented Law Gives Mongolians Visibility Into State Mining Companies. “Mongolian citizens now have unprecedented visibility into the financial performance of the top mining companies; they can learn about who buys from the companies, who the companies’ biggest suppliers are, and the sheer size and variety of SOEs.”

Dorjdari Namkhaijantsan/Natural Resource Governance Institute: https://resourcegovernance.org/blog/newly-implemented-law-gives-mongolians-visibility-state-mining-companies   

Hong Kong corporate transparency / Sri Lanka extractives tender / Pakistan police corruption clean up

Hong Kong Revives Move to Reduce Corporate Transparency Now That Opposition Is Gone.  “For a global business center, Hong Kong has long trumpeted one of the more transparent registers of company records, a window that helped shine a light on the wealth of powerful Chinese families, exposed corruption…Now, the city’s government is seeking to curb public access to [those] details…a move that journalist groups and investors say would erode corporate transparency and diminish press freedom while protecting the interests of the political and business elite.”

Wenxin Fan/The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hong-kong-revives-move-to-reduce-corporate-transparency-now-that-opposition-is-gone-11617534508  

 

Sri Lanka Ilmenite tender flaws expose corruption and fraud.  Sri Lanka’s latest sale of mineral sands mainly ilmenite in a flawed tender process…[deprived] the state of millions of rupees in revenue benefiting middlemen and racketeers…Whilst the global best practice for any tender is to receive bank guarantees as bid bonds from registered suppliers, this state-owned company was in the practice of requesting cash bid bonds from the bidders.

Bandula Sirimanna/The Sunday Times: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/210404/business-times/sri-lanka-ilmenite-tender-flaws-expose-corruption-and-fraud-438731.html    

 

How corruption in police stations could be abolished?  “It was learnt that [Inspector General of Police Islamabad] has the nod from the Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad to launch this ‘clean-up operation’ within the Islamabad Police. It would neither an easy task nor a pleasant one and he is in full realization of the fact.”

Shakeel Anjum/The News: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/814841-how-corruption-in-police-stations-could-be-abolished   

Electoral systems and corruption / Philippines mining sector / Malaysia bank loan scandal

Do More Candidate-Centric Electoral Systems Help Reduce Corruption? (Blog).  “One might expect that in the open list system, voters would be less likely to choose candidates who had been involved in this corruption scandal when they had been reminded of their involvement. But we did not find any statistically meaningful difference in the vote choices of those who received this additional information, as compared to other respondents who did not.”

Rumilda Cañete-Straub, Josepa Miquel-Florensa, Stéphane Straub, and Karine Van der Straeten/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/03/23/guest-post-do-more-candidate-centric-electoral-systems-help-reduce-corruption/  

 

Philippines: Embracing Transparency Critical for Mining Sector (Opinion).  “This month, when the [Extractives Industry Transparency Initiative] begins the process of validating our progress in meeting its standards, it will have a golden opportunity to help create accountability in the governance of extractives and address other problems that still afflict mining in the Philippines.”

Anj Dacanay/The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/philippines-embracing-transparency-critical-for-mining-sector/     

 

In Kuala Lumpur, MACC arrests ex-bank president who allegedly received RM8m bribe to approve RM400m loan.  “A former bank president-cum-managing director with the “Datuk” title was among four individuals arrested by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC)…[He] had allegedly given special treatment by approving the loan without following the procedure set and without due diligence due to the bribe offered.”

Malay Mail: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/03/31/in-kuala-lumpur-macc-arrests-ex-bank-president-who-allegedly-received-rm8m/1962675    

IMF loan criticism / China corrupt officials sensation / New Kickback podcast

IMF: Scant Transparency for Covid-19 Emergency Loans.  “The International Monetary Fund (IMF), despite overall progress in its anti-corruption efforts, has not ensured sufficient oversight of its Covid-19 emergency loans…As a result, it is hard for members of the public in many countries to track the governments’ Covid-19 spending, to identify potential corruption, or to determine whether the deprivation of basic rights connected to the pandemic is being addressed.”

Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/news/2021/03/30/imf-scant-transparency-covid-19-emergency-loans

 

Corrupt officials become internet sensation due to massive wealth.  “[Chinese officials] convicted of corruption in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province have become an internet sensation due to the extent of their wealth, including more than 100 luxury cars and funds equivalent to 3 billion yuan ($470 million).”

Global Times: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202103/1219893.shtml  

 

New Podcast, Featuring Thomas Stelzer (Blog/Podcast).  Thomas Stelzer, who is currently the Dean of the International Anti-Corruption Academy and a member of the UN FACTI panel, talks about the recommendations in the panel’s report. “In addressing these issues, Dean Stelzer emphasized the importance of more and better research on the topic of illicit financial flows, as well as the need for sustained efforts to ensure effective implementation of reforms such as those that the FACTI Panel outlined.”

Matthew Stephenson/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2021/03/30/new-podcast-featuring-thomas-stelzer/