Singapore one-dollar bribes / Chinese official gifts / Malaysia corporate governance

Singapore charges two Chinese workers over 'one-dollar bribes'.  Singapore has charged two Chinese migrant workers for demanding bribes as small as S$1 (73 U.S. cents), its anti-graft authority said, stressing that the financial hub known for its clean image will not tolerate corruption no matter how small.

Fathin Ungku/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-singapore-corruption/singapore-charges-two-chinese-workers-over-one-dollar-bribes-idUSKBN1OA0XF

 

Luxury watches, fine liquor among most popular in auction of gifts received by officials.  Amid an ongoing crackdown on corruption, officials in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, donated the gift cards, jewelry, collectibles, digital electronic products and alcohol they had received over the years to a special auction that netted 1.64 million yuan ($237,000), from which the money will flow to the local government.

Zhang Dan/Global Times: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1131556.shtml

 

Malaysia is the biggest gainer in corporate governance ranking.  Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the ranking was a significant improvement from seventh place in 2016 and Malaysia was the biggest 2018 gainer among regional rivals, including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

New Straits Times: https://www.nst.com.my/business/2018/12/439471/malaysia-biggest-gainer-corporate-governance-ranking

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (15 December 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

FIJI :

Corruption distorts development: Catanasiga. Corruption disrupts development because it distorts the distribution of resources and development opportunities.

https://www.fijitimes.com/corruption-distorts-development-catanasiga/

Visa Launches Payments Security Roadmap To Strengthen Tourism And Economies In The Pacific. Visa’s Head of South Pacific Andy McCowan said it introduced initiatives to strengthen the security of the payments ecosystem and help address the threat of fraud in the region.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/12/13/visa-launches-payments-security-roadmap-to-strengthen-tourism-and-economies-in-the-pacific/

How Cyber Criminals Defraud Fijians. The Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit has issued an alert after four cases of cyber fraud were noted this year.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/12/08/how-cyber-criminals-defraud-fijians/

WAF engineer fronts court for alleged bribery. A 29-year-old man appeared at the Suva Magistrates court charged with one count of bribery.

https://www.fijitimes.com/waf-engineer-fronts-court-for-alleged-bribery/

Three To Take Plea Next Year. Abhisaeth Abhimaanu, Kavishay Abhimaanu and Amrita Anand appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar charged with money laundering.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/12/07/three-to-take-plea-next-year/

 

PNG:

PNG's fraud squad says Paraka case not over yet. The head of Papua New Guinea's police fraud squad says the case against the lawyer Paul Paraka is not over yet. A ruling by a senior committal court magistrate this week meant that 27 charges of conspiracy, theft and money laundering against Mr Paraka were dropped.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/2018675658/png-s-fraud-squad-says-paraka-case-not-over-yet

Bougainville leader angry at false accusations. The President of Bougainville says many of the people who issued an ultimatum to his government last week are themselves facing investigation by the Papua New Guinea police fraud squad.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/378286/bougainville-leader-angry-at-false-accusations

PNG's Paraka in mood for revenge after charges dropped. A Papua New Guinea lawyer will pursue legal action against anti-fraud detectives and officials who brought dozens of fraud-related charges against him.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/378095/png-s-paraka-in-mood-for-revenge-after-charges-dropped

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

PM reaffirms war on corruption. Prime Minister Rick Hou called on the nation to stand together to fight and eradicate corruption.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/21163-pm-reaffirms-war-on-corruption

Anti-Corruption act officially launched. The government in collaboration with civil society groups and donor partners today officially launched the much anticipated Anti-Corruption Act 2018, and the ‘Whistleblowers Protection Act 2018’ in Honiara.

http://www.sibconline.com.sb/anti-corruption-act-officially-launched/

 

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

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

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

 

Philippines anti-corruption battle / Viet Nam shipping firm / Hong Kong rail report

Battling Corruption (Editorial).  “International Anti-Corruption Day was marked last Sunday with the Philippines already having all the legal weapons to fight the scourge. What is needed is full enforcement.”

The Philippine Star: https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2018/12/11/1875980/editorial-battling-corruption

 

Vietnam arrests ship firm execs for embezzling US$4.5 million.  Two executives from a near-bankrupt state-run shipbuilding company have been arrested in Vietnam on accusations of embezzling US$4.5 million in collusion with a scandal-plagued bank, as the one-party state broadens its unprecedented corruption crackdown.

The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/vietnam-arrests-ship-firm-execs-for-embezzling-us45-million

 

Corruption allegations against construction firm at heart of Hung Hom station scandal left out of public report by MTR Corp.  Corruption allegations made against the firm accused of cutting corners in building part of Hong Kong’s most expensive rail project were reported to authorities by the city’s rail operator, but left out of its public report.

Cannix Yau/South China Morning Post:https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/transport/article/2177518/corruption-allegations-against-construction-firm-heart-hung

 

Business integrity cooperation / Philippines Open Budget / Nepal corruption dilemma

It takes two to tango: building the case for business integrity effectiveness (Blog).  “While traditionally the onus to combat corruption has been placed upon government by its people, we need concerted efforts from not only the public sector, but also from private companies, civil society, media and the people.”

Irakli Kotetishvili, Elodie Beth and Kamolwan Panyasevanamit/UNDP: http://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/presscenter/articles/2018/it-takes-two-to-tango--building-the-case-for-business-integrity-0.html

 

PH ranks 1st in transparency, 3rd in public participation.  “The Philippines scored 67 out of 100 for budget transparency, making the country the best in Asia and 19th in the world in terms of fiscal transparency just after Germany. The global average score is 42. So here, we’re better than Indonesia, Jordan, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar,” DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno told Central Luzon stakeholders during Sulong Pilipinas 2018 Philippine Development Forum.

Sun Star: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1777847

 

Dilemma of corruption (Opinion).  “Both bribe payers and bribe takers gain through corrupt transactions, but the cost is passed on to the poor, honest and disfranchised population.”

Narayan Manandhar/My Republica: https://myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com/news/dilemma-of-corruption/?categoryId=81

 

Viet Nam anti-corruption law / Moody's Malaysia rating / Pakistan case deadline

Extending anti-corruption fight to private sector enables fair business environment.  Some of the highlights of the revised law include attempts to curb conflicts of interests by banning those in management positions from signing contracts with businesses run by their relatives or assigning relatives or friends to accounting and treasury posts, as well as stopping former officials from establishing or running a company in the sector they had worked in.

Viet Nam News: https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/481583/extending-anti-corruption-fight-to-private-sector-enables-fair-business-environment.html#oSocGRJMTpSGaGS3.97

 

Moody’s: Malaysia to face serious hurdles in curbing graft.  Putrajaya will face serious hurdles to reign in “pervasive” corruption that is already causing credit constraints and undermining government effectiveness, Moody’s said as it affirmed the country’s domestic and foreign debt ratings at A3.

Syed Jaymal Zahiid/Malay Mail:https://www.malaymail.com/s/1701121/moodys-malaysia-to-face-serious-hurdles-in-curbing-graft

 

Pindi anti-corruption watchdog sets 60-day inquiry deadline.  To speed up the process of corruption investigations, Pakistan’s Rawalpindi Anti-Corruption Department has set a 60-day deadline to complete inquiries into cases, to go into effect from the new year.

The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1862471/1-pindi-anti-corruption-watchdog-sets-60-day-inquiry-deadline/

Whistleblowing for business / Anti-Corruption award / Corruption wildlife trade

Serious About Fighting Corruption? How To Encourage Whistleblowing In Your Business.  Despite the almost rock star aura surrounding certain high-profile whistleblowers, however, there remain several imposing hurdles to exposing corruption within one's workplace.

Antonino Vaccaro/Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/iese/2018/12/06/serious-about-fighting-corruption-how-to-encourage-whistleblowing-in-your-business/#426ae7752b9e

 

Qatar ruler, Dr Mahathir present anti corruption awards to outstanding individuals.  The Sheikh Tamim Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Excellence Award is to promote the importance of tackling corruption around the world and encouraging the efforts of the decisive measures stipulated in the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

The Sun Daily: https://www.thesundaily.my/local/qatar-ruler-dr-mahathir-present-anti-corruption-awards-to-outstanding-individuals-MB232196

 

Operation Dragon: New Evidence of the Scale of Corruption in the Illegal Turtle and Tortoise Trade in Southeast Asia - A Report by the Wildlife Justice Commission.  The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) has released in the run up to Anti-Corruption Day, the report Operation Dragon: Revealing new evidence of the scale of corruption and trafficking in the turtle and tortoise trade (1) detailing its Operation Dragon, a 2-year investigation (2016-2018) into the multi-million-dollar illegal trade of endangered reptile species in South and Southeast Asia and the scale of the corruption that enables this wildlife crime.

The Wildlife Justice Commission: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/operation-dragon-new-evidence-of-the-scale-of-corruption-in-the-illegal-turtle-and-tortoise-trade-in-southeast-asia-a-report-by-the-wildlife-justice-commission-817689585.html

Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (8 December 2018): Kirbati, Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands

KIRIBATI:

Kiribati NGO calls for release of Butiraoi report findings.  The NGO Kiribati Citizens Against Corruption is calling for the findings of a report into the Butiraoi sinking to be released.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/377382/kiribati-ngo-calls-for-release-of-butiraoi-report-findings

 

FIJI:

FCOSS calls for collaborative approach to combat corruption.  Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) executive director Vani Catanasiga has urged businesses to work with non-government organisations (NGOs) on developing local tools for combating corruption.

https://www.fijitimes.com/fcoss-calls-for-collaborative-approach-to-combat-corruption/

Former manager facing corruption charges to take plea next year. Reginald Lal who is charged with one count of falsification of documents appeared this morning before Magistrate Deepika Prakash.

https://www.fijitimes.com/former-manager-facing-corruption-charges-to-take-plea-next-year/

Two WAF staff front court for alleged fraud.  Two Water Authority of Fiji staff have been charged with two counts of obtaining a financial advantage after they were alleged to have sold water tanks to residents in Nadi.

https://www.fijitimes.com/two-waf-staff-front-court-for-alleged-fraud/

Financial intelligence unit records 566 suspicious transactions. About 566 suspicious transactions reports were recorded by the Fiji Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for the year ending July 2018.

https://www.fijitimes.com/financial-intelligence-unit-records-566-suspicious-transactions/

 

PNG:

PNG's former solicitor-general eligible to apply for asylum in Australia over 'payback' fears: court.  Papua New Guinea's former solicitor-general is allowed to apply for a protection visa in Australia, a court ruling has found, based on fears of harm after raising corruption allegations in what has been called the country's "biggest" alleged fraud case.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-04/court-rules-former-png-official-eligible-to-apply-for-asylum/10544460

Court rules former PNG SG can apply for protection in Aust.  The ABC reports the Federal Circuit Court of Australia heard that in 2012 Neville Devete made a complaint to PNG's National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Squad in relation to alleged "improper payments" made to PNG's biggest law firm, Paul Paraka Lawyers.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/377462/court-rules-former-png-sg-can-apply-for-protection-in-aust

 

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Solomon Islands MP Dickson Mua arrested for corruption.  A member of parliament in Solomon Islands, Dickson Mua, has been arrested and charged with corruption.

https://herdongazette.com/solomon-islands-mp-dickson-mua-arrested-for-corruption/119545/

 

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

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

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org