Mongolia public information law / Afghanistan ex-president corruption / Thailand police corruption story

Mongolia: law on public information.  “State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs Mr. Baasandorj gave a brief interview regarding the Law on Public Information. Current Law on Information Transparency and the Right to Access Information is being revised into the Law on Public Information.”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia: https://www.iaac.mn/news/mongolia-law-on-public-information/  

 

The Corruption of the Afghan Presidency.  “[Afghanistan’s former president, Ashraf Ghani], during his nearly seven years in power, found ways to enrich his brother, his brother-in-law, and other members of his inner circle. This April, I co-authored a two-year-long investigation, published by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, that revealed the Afghan president’s office had approved unique extralegal rights for the subsidiary of an American military contractor to purchase, process, and sell the metal chromite from local Afghan mines.”

Zack Kopplin/The American Prospect: https://prospect.org/world/corruption-of-the-afghan-presidency-ashraf-ghani/  

 

'Joe Ferrari' case lifts lid on police corruption.  “A flashy cop with a taste for fast cars falls from grace following the leak of spine-chilling footage of a brutal interrogation gone wrong. Not the plot of a blockbuster thriller, but the vivid reality of a story that has gripped the country in recent weeks and spotlighted police corruption that experts say infects almost every level of society in the kingdom.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2185971/joe-ferrari-case-lifts-lid-on-police-corruption

Fixing public procurement systems / Malaysia KPMG settlement / China overseas corruption case

Fixing public procurement systems with transparency, accountability, and integrity mechanisms (Blog).  “Certainly, this period of economic slow-down is also an opportune moment for governments to utilize public procurement as a strategic instrument to uplift development. Hence, investing in open, transparent, and agile public procurement systems is synonymous with investing in building resilient societies post the pandemic.”

Diana Torres and Sapna Dubey/UNDP: https://www1.undp.org/content/fairbiz/en/home/blog/fixing-public-procurement-systems-with-transparency--accountabil.html

 

Malaysia says auditor KPMG to pay $80 million in 1MDB settlement.  Malaysia said on Thursday audit firm KPMG has agreed to pay a 333 million ringgit ($80.11 million) settlement to resolve all claims related to their fiduciary duties on auditing of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) accounts from 2010 to 2012.”

Liz Lee/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/malaysia-says-auditor-kpmg-pay-80-million-1mdb-settlement-2021-09-16/  

   

Corruption in Chinese infrastructure projects in Sudan: Report.  “[Fu Hong Construction, a] Chinese construction firm working in Sudan reportedly earned millions of dollars by inflating the cost and paying kickbacks as quid pro quo, a media report said.”

ANI News: https://www.aninews.in/news/world/others/corruption-in-chinese-infrastructure-projects-in-sudan-report20210919115829/  

World Bank doing business report / Thailand deputy PM case disclosure / Myanmar Suu Kyi trial date

Bad for business: World Bank China rigging scandal rattles investors.  “Some investors and campaigners expressed dismay on Friday at revelations that World Bank leaders pressured staff to boost China's score in an influential report that ranks countries on how easy it is to do business there… "There have been wide divergences between some countries corruption ranking(s) and the ease of doing business scores, which implies that these were only face-value improvements rather than reflecting underlying economic change," [Charles Robertson, chief economist at Renaissance Capital] said.”

Tom Arnold and Marc Jones/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/bad-business-world-bank-china-rigging-scandal-rattles-investors-2021-09-17/   

 

NACC told to release watch scandal details.  “The [Thai] National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) will study the details of the Central Administrative Court's order that the agency disclose a probe into a luxury watch controversy involving Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon… NACC deputy secretary- general Niwatchai Kasemmongkol said the agency has 30 days to appeal against the order.”

Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2183031/nacc-told-to-release-watch-scandal-details     

 

Myanmar sets October 1 for Aung San Suu Kyi corruption trial.  “Deposed civilian leader’s supporters say charges against her are politically motivated and an attempt to discredit her. A trial of…Aung San Suu Kyi on corruption charges is set to begin on October 1, a member of her legal team has said.”

Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/17/myanmar-court-sets-oct-1-for-suu-kyi-corruption-trial  

Open Contracting Quickstart Guide / China Supervisors Law / Indonesia KPK suspended staff

Open Contracting Quickstart Guide (Resource).  “In this guide, you’ll find 15 practical strategies within four sections covering core aspects of public procurement reform.”

Open Contracting Partnership: https://www.open-contracting.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/OCP21-Quickstart-English.pdf  

 

China continues to strengthen its anti-corruption campaign in relation to public servants (Blog).  “The Supervisors Law of the People’s Republic of China (“Supervisors Law“) was recently promulgated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on 20 August 2021. Together with other legislation and enforcement activities, the Supervisors Law aims to strengthen President Xi’s anti-corruption campaign and is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2022.”

Simon Hui, Henry Chen and Zhengwei Yang/Global Compliance News: https://www.globalcompliancenews.com/2021/09/14/china-continues-to-strengthen-its-anti-corruption-campaign-in-relation-to-public-servants080921/  

 

All legal means closed, Jokowi last hope for suspended KPK staff.  “The fate of scores of Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) employees who were suspended after failing a controversial civics test lies with [Indonesia’s] President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, now that all other legal means [including the Supreme Court’s recent ruling] to restore their employment have been exhausted.”

A. Muh.Ibnu Aqil/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/paper/2021/09/14/all-legal-means-closed-jokowi-last-hope-for-suspended-kpk-staff.html  

Viet Nam and Indonesia illegal animal trade / Malaysia anti-corruption demands / China watchdog on big tech

Civil society’s role in disrupting the illegal trade of endangered animals and environmental commodities in Vietnam and Indonesia (Report).  “Transnational crime syndicates have formed complex and adaptive networks that pose steep challenges for law enforcement, while bribery and corruption have undermined the state response… This new report and digital story…highlights civil society’s multifaceted role in disrupting the illegal trade of endangered animals and environmental commodities in Vietnam and Indonesia.”

Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime: https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/change-agents/  

 

#RasuahBusters unveil six anti-corruption demands to the govt.  “The demands were for the implementation of and full support for [Malaysia’s] National Anti-Corruption Plan (NACP), acceleration of the tabling and implementation of a political funding law, assurance of institutional freedom and independence for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the Attorney General’s Chamber (AGC), the enactment of a recall law to deal with party-hopping and the implementation of Undi18 and parliamentary reforms.”

Allison Lai/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/09/12/rasuahbusters-unveil-six-anti-corruption-demands-to-the-govt  

 

China antitrust: Anti-corruption watchdog says negative impact on Big Tech will be short-lived.  “The CCDI, usually tasked with anti-corruption crackdowns but also tackles other illegal and unethical wrongdoings, reiterated Beijing’s determination to fight monopolies in the online platform economy.”

Coco Feng/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/tech/policy/article/3148462/china-antitrust-anti-corruption-watchdog-says-negative-impact-big-tech  

Afghanistan security sector corruption / Public beneficial ownership register / Pakistan food controller scandal

Corruption and Self-Dealing in Afghanistan and Other U.S.-Backed Security Sectors (Commentary).  “The Afghan security forces’ gradual and then sudden collapse is a cautionary tale about other U.S. efforts worldwide to bolster foreign security sectors that are hamstrung by corrosive and endemic corruption.”

Jodi Vittori/Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/09/09/corruption-and-self-dealing-in-afghanistan-and-other-u.s.-backed-security-sectors-pub-85303  

 

Out in the open: how public beneficial ownership registers advance anti-corruption.  “Information about the real individuals behind companies is critical for everything from a fair tax system to stopping corruption and wildlife trafficking. The advantages of having beneficial ownership information easily available to authorities as well as to the public are so abundantly clear, that neither anti-corruption professionals nor the wider public can make sense of the slow pace of improvements in this area.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/how-public-beneficial-ownership-registers-advance-anti-corruption  

 

Food controller fined Rs297 million in corruption case.  “The investigation into the massive embezzlement in the food department revealed that the accused Assistant Food Controller Shakkar Khan, as in charge PRC center Quetta [city in Pakistan], embezzled millions of rupees in purchase and sales of thousands of government wheat bags.”

Mohammad Zafar/The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2319629/food-controller-fined-rs297-million-in-corruption-case  

Strategic marketing for tackling social norms / China targetting bribers / Tender Defender board game

Walking the Talk: Resources on Tackling Social Norms with Strategic Marketing and Communication Campaigns (Blog).  “[Social and behavior change communications] typically use normative messages to 1) convince people that behavior advocated in a campaign is already the norm; 2) correct misperceptions about prevalence and support for behavior; or 3) attach social stigma to unhealthy behaviors…The following shortlist of notable resources is a result of a grey literature review conducted in Spring 2021, which identified 34 documents, of which 20 directly provided insight into overarching social norms communications strategies.”

Malavika Krishnan/Tufts University: https://sites.tufts.edu/ihs/walking-the-talk-resources-on-tackling-social-norms-with-strategic-marketing-and-communication-campaigns/  

 

China’s corruption busters signal they plan to make bribe givers pay.  “China’s anti-corruption bodies and law enforcement organs have said they are exploring measures to get tougher on people who give bribes – not just officials who take them – and build a blacklist of suspected bribers.”

William Zheng/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3148047/chinas-corruption-busters-signal-they-plan-make-bribe-givers  

 

Tender Defender – Cards on the Table! (Board game).  “Tender Defender is a board game that helps civil society groups, journalists, activists, and others learn about public procurement and identify corruption risks that may arise. Through the eyes of a company director or a procurement department officer, players become better aware of just how important it is to uphold transparency and accountability in the public contracting process. They also gain a better understanding of ways to fight corruption. Anyone can play the game: just download it and print it out.”

Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-pacts-game

Philippines inter-agency taskforce / Thailand police reform / China judicial corruption

Anti-graft council created amid probe on state corruption.  "The [Philippine] Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC)…formed a new inter-agency task force to bring its campaign against graft and corruption to the lowest level of the government, as the administration faces questions over allegedly anomalous deals. More than 40 agencies under the Executive branch signed a memorandum of agreement to form the National Anti-Corruption Coordinating Council, which will institutionalize anti-corruption committees (ACCs) in all levels of government."

Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza/Business World: https://www.bworldonline.com/anti-graft-council-created-amid-probe-on-state-corruption/  

 

Opinion: Why police reform hasn't come to Thailand (Opinion).  "In Nakhon Sawan province, a 24-year old man arrested for selling methamphetamine pills suffocated to death as corrupt Thai police officers attempted to extort a bribe of two million baht for his release…Police reform is a tired subject because somehow, attempts have failed or not lived up to their billing. Second, police association with corruption, cronyism, and failure are well known and their brutal history extends much deeper than the death of Jeerapong Thanapat."

Mark S. Cogan/Thai Enquirer: https://www.thaienquirer.com/32115/opinion-why-police-reform-hasnt-come-to-thailand/  

 

Corruption in China: ex-judges and prosecutors caught breaking rules on conflicts of interest.  "Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission, the country's top law enforcement agency, last week, was told that 7,640 former judges and prosecutors who have left their posts since 2012 have continued to practise law. Of these, some 2,044 – or nearly 30 per cent – had violated the rules that ban them from working on cases related to their former roles, with 101 acting as "judicial brokers" – a term applied to those who use their connections to help people bribe judges.

Guo Rui/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3147592/corruption-china-ex-judges-and-prosecutors-caught-breaking  

Why fight COVID-19 corruption / Mongolia civil servants ethics law / Philippines presidential implications

Why fighting corruption matters in times of COVID-19.  “With the release of the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2020, we looked at how corruption undermines states’ capacity to respond to emergencies such as the dual health and economic crises brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis highlights that: [corruption] diverts funds from essential services…[a lack of transparency…weakens the efficiency of crisis responses; [countries] that perform poorly in controlling corruption tend to breach human rights and democratic norms in their management of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Jon Vrushi and Roberto Martínez B. Kukutschka/Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2020-research-analysis-why-fighting-corruption-matters-in-times-of-covid-19 

 

Mongolia: law on civil servants’ ethics.  “If the draft Law on Ethics and Discipline of Civil Servants is adopted, it will be the first law in our country to legislate ethical norms. In addition, special committees and sub-committees in charge of civil servants' ethics will be established, and the entire civil service will have a comprehensive structure.”

Independent Authority Against Corruption of Mongolia: https://www.iaac.mn/news/mongolia-law-on-civil-servants-ethics/

 

Will Corruption Bring Down the Philippines’ Duterte Government? (Opinion).  “Duterte is aware of the political impact of the corruption probe, which is why he is constantly ridiculing [the Commision On Audit], the Senate, and the political opposition. He knows that a corruption case involving billions of pesos has the potential to spark widespread discontent that could lead to his ouster,”

Mong Palatino/The Diplomat: https://thediplomat.com/2021/08/will-corruption-bring-down-the-philippines-duterte-government/