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