Pakistan anti-corruption vow / ICAC regaining trust / Anti-corruption success exception

Pakistan's Khan Names Cabinet, Vowing to Eliminate Corruption. Imran Khan was sworn in as Pakistan's prime minister on Saturday after winning a vote from a majority lawmakers with a pledge to curb corruption through "ruthless accountability."

Kamran Haider/Bloomberg:https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-18/pakistan-s-khan-takes-oath-as-pm-with-promise-to-end-corruption

 

With succession question settled, graft watchdog can now regain trust and move on (Editorial).  "There was a time, unfortunately, when personnel changes at the Independent Commission Against Corruption had fueled speculation and doubts about its integrity. Now that the issues are being settled, there is hope that the watchdog can regain public trust and move on."

South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2160322/succession-question-settled-graft-watchdog-can-now-regain

 

Why are anti-corruption success stories still the exception? (Blog).  "The way to play an infinite game is to make decisions based on values — which are infinite — rather than solely based on interests — which are finite."

Nieves Zuniga/Voices for Transparency: https://voices.transparency.org/why-are-anti-corruption-success-stories-still-the-exception-9a30e5f4cf39

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (18 August 2018): Fiji, Tonga, PNG, Samoa, Cook Islands

Dan McGarry: Fighting for media freedom and truth in the Pacific.  When the host country Nauru banned the pool broadcaster, ABC, from the Pacific Islands summit set for next month, it was condemned widely for an attack on freedom on the media. Lee Duffieldrecently paid a visit to Dan McGarry, media director of the Vanuatu Daily Post, who took a lead, declaring his outlet would no longer go.

https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/08/15/dan-mcgarry-fighting-for-media-freedom-and-truth-in-the-pacific/

 

FIJI:

Church under probe.  The investigations surfaced when Grace Road Church founder Grace Ok-ju was arrested in Korea on allegations of incarceration, assault and money laundering.

http://www.fijitimes.com/church-under-probe/

September judgement for former council staff on corruption charges.  Nausori Resident Magistrate Vandhana Lal will deliver the judgement next month for a former acting Senior Rates Officer of the Nausori Town Council who is charged with 15 counts of causing a loss.

http://www.fijitimes.com/september-judgement-for-former-council-staff-on-corruption-charges/

Retrial ordered after FICAC’s appeal. Filimoni Bola was initially charged by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption with one count of bribery.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/67395/retrial-ordered-after-ficac%E2%80%99s-appeal

Bail denied for Chinese national.  The Chinese national current­ly facing corruption related charges in the Suva Magis­trates Court had her second bail application refused on August 13

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/16/bail-denied-for-chinese-national/

 

TONGA:

Tonga evaluating strength of anti-money laundering laws.   Tonga's ability to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism is being scrutinised.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364143/tonga-evaluating-strength-of-anti-money-laundering-laws

Former Tongan PM's case adjourned again.  Tongan noble MP and former Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, has had his bribery and money laundering case adjourned again, this time until August 14.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/363975/former-tongan-pm-s-case-adjourned-again

Tonga to strengthen fight against financial crimes.  Tonga will strengthen its fight against financial criminal activities by having an evaluation done on its legal framework to combat money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

https://matangitonga.to/2018/08/14/tonga-strengthen-fight-against-financial-crimes

 

PNG:

PNG watchdog laments lack of progress on ICAC.  A Papua New Guinea watchdog says the millions being spent on November's APEC summit could have been used to set up an Independent Commission Against Corruption.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364127/png-watchdog-laments-lack-of-progress-on-icac

 

SAMOA:

Police take over investigation.  The Ministry of Police has taken over the case of former Assistant C.E.O. of the M.W.T.I. Faleniu Mark Alesana, whose services was terminated last month on allegations of impropriety over his connection to an Indian company. 

http://sobserver.ws/en/16_08_2018/local/35947/Police-take-over-investigation.htm

Unit set up for whistleblowers.  A special audit unit has been set up within the Audit Office for whistleblowers in the public sector who want to report fraud and other irregularities.

http://sobserver.ws/en/16_08_2018/local/35946/Unit-set-up-for-whistle-blowers.htm

 

COOK ISLANDS:

Petition hearings underway.  A number of witnesses took the stand in High Court yesterday to give evidence regarding the Rakahanga electoral petition filed by Democratic Party leader Tina Browne following the May 14 general election.

http://www.cookislandsnews.com/item/70363-petition-hearings-underway

Bagan projects reported / Coal pollution corruption / Journalism prize open

 

 

From: ap-intact@groups.undp.org <ap-intact@groups.undp.org>
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 5:59 AM
To: ap-intact <ap-intact@groups.undp.org>
Subject: [ap-intact] Bagan projects reported / Coal pollution corruption / Journalism prize open

 

Shady Bagan Projects Reported to Anti-Corruption Commission.  Locals of Bagan, the archaeological zone in central Myanmar, said they have filed a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar and requested an investigation into development and conservation projects that were done in their area.

Zarni Mann/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/shady-bagan-projects-reported-anti-corruption-commission.html

 

Corruption allows mine-mouth coal plants to pollute (Opinion).  “The role of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is crucial to rescue residents in the areas around mine-mouth power plants, which do not use adequate pollution control technology due to corruption.”

Pius Ginting/The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2018/08/15/corruption-allows-mine-mouth-coal-plants-to-pollute.html

 

World Justice Project Anthony Lewis Prize for Exceptional Rule of Law Journalism (Competition).  The applications and nominations to recognize journalists who contribute to increased awareness on corruption, accountability, human rights, access to justice, open government, etc. are open until 20 September 2018.

World Justice Project: https://worldjusticeproject.org/our-work/research-scholarship/anthony-lewis-prize-exceptional-rule-law-journalism

Thank you to Robert Leventhal, US Department of State for sharing this opportunity.

Philippines military hospital / Myanmar forestry corruption / Thai anti-fraud chief

 

 

Duterte fires military hospital chief for corruption.  President Duterte fired the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, more popularly known by its old name V. Luna General Hospital, the head of its logistics office and 20 others reportedly for massive corruption involving millions. 

Edith Regalado/Philstar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/14/1842450/duterte-fires-military-hospital-chief-corruption#rTRTuMV4oJ6RRldh.99

 

Lack of Funding Fueling Corruption in Forestry Sector, Senior Official Says.  More than 3,200 Forestry Department staff overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation have been subject to disciplinary action over the past seven years for violations including bribery and corruption, negligence, misconduct, and poor performance, department director U Khin Maung Win said, adding that the problem is largely a result of under-funding.

Kyaw Myo/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/lack-funding-fueling-corruption-forestry-sector-senior-official-says.html

 

Critics blast junta’s abrupt firing of top anti-fraud chief.  The junta chairman invoked his absolute power and expelled the anti-money laundering director appointed by the cabinet just a month ago, drawing ire from the regime’s opponents.

Teeranai Charuvastra/Khaosod English: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/08/15/critics-blast-juntas-abrupt-firing-of-top-anti-fraud-chief/

India corrupt shelters / Japanese tycoon arrested / 1MDB jet sought

Corrupt shelters for kids could shake people's faith in charity.  "Shocking incidents in two shelter homes in different Indian states have revealed rape and physical abuse of children and a web of corruption"

Kanchan Srivastava/Asia Times:http://www.atimes.com/article/corrupt-shelters-for-kids-could-shake-peoples-faith-in-charity/

 

Japanese casino tycoon arrested in Hong Kong: ex-firm.  A controversial Japanese casino tycoon Kazuo Okada has been arrested in Hong Kong over alleged and unspecified "corruption-related" offences, according to his former company in Tokyo.

The Star:https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/08/06/japanese-casino-tycoon-arrested-in-hong-kong-exfirm/

 

Luxury jet linked to 1MDB to return to Malaysia as soon as we can make it fly: Mahathir. The plane, thought to currently be in Singapore, is the latest asset Malaysia is seeking to claw back that was allegedly bought by businessman Low Taek Jho with money looted from sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/luxury-jet-linked-to-1mdb-to-return-to-malaysia-as-soon-as-we-can-make-it-fly-mahathir 

Blockchain and aid / PACC probes Customs / Sharif story rundown

Can Blockchain Help Bypass the Problem of Corruption in Development Aid? (blog). "Blockchain technology would allow donors to transfer money to end users directly (and instantaneously), bypassing the formal financial institutions and corrupt bureaucracies that have often been the source of financial leakage, and preserving a transparent record of all transactions."

Heesu Chung/The Global Anticorruption Blog:https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/08/13/can-blockchain-help-bypass-the-problem-of-corruption-in-development-aid/

 

Duterte's anti-corruption body to probe collusion of Customs execs in shabu smuggling. The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission will conduct its own probe into the entry of about P6.8 billion worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride in the country.

Phil Star:https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/12/1842036/dutertesanti-corruption-body-probe-collusion-customs-execs-shabu-smuggling#SeW030lsVcVWtxQ2.99

 

Caged Lion of Punjab: The fall of Pakistan's ex-PM Sharif. A rundown by AFP on Sharif who "is starting one of the last chapters of his long career from a cell, where the 68-year-old is serving a 10-year sentence for corruption."

AFP/Rappler: https://www.rappler.com/world/regions/south-central-asia/209379-caged-lion-punjab-nawaz-sharif

Hong Kong rail / Indian police bribery / Thai monk extradited

Hong Kong MTR’s HK$97.1 billion link scandal: consequences, loopholes and solutions. “On a radio programme…Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council’s transport panel, said the existing mechanism mainly relied on signoffs made by professionals because this was taken to mean they were held accountable and had observed proper ethics.”

Kanis Leung/South China Morning Post:https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/2158939/hong-kong-mtrs-hk971-billion-link-scandal

 

To Check Corruption, Cops in Himachal Pradesh's Una Barred from Carrying over Rs 200.  Continuous complaints of policemen seeking bribes, especially from pilgrims coming from neighbouring Punjab to pay their obeisance at the temples located in Himachal Pradesh, had led the district police chief to introduce this measure.

News18: https://www.news18.com/news/india/to-check-corruption-cops-in-himachal-pradeshs-una-barred-from-carrying-over-rs-200-1841327.html

 

Disgraced 'jet set monk' sentenced to 114 years in jail in Thailand after US extradition.  A Thai court sentenced Wiraphon Sukhon, the disgraced former monk to 114 years in prison for charges including fraud, money laundering and computer crime.

Nicola Smith/The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/10/disgraced-jet-set-monk-sentenced-114-years-jail-thailand-us/