Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (29 August 2014) -- Solomon Islands, Fiji, PNG

-
[Facilitator's note: Thank you to Tony Prescott, Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for these updates.]

Solomon Islands: Taiwanese to take plea next. The Taiwanese national accused of trying to export millions of dollar worth of Tubi logs will enter his plea on September 10. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3754-taiwanese-to-take-plea-next

Solomon Islands: PM cleared of misconduct allegation. The Leadership Code Commission (LCC) has cleared Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo of an allegation of misconduct in office. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3613-pm-cleared-of-misconduct-allegation

Solomon Islands: Gov't grilled on missing Beche-de-mer. It is over a year now and police investigation into the controversial missing beche-de-mer consignment has not answered the many questions surrounding the saga. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3753-gov-t-grilled-on-missing-beche-de-mer

Solomon Islands: Trio faces fraud charge. A woman who allegedly obtained more than $150,000 from her employer under false pretences in 2008 is now facing the court. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/3021-trio-faces-fraud-charge

Fiji: Financial scrutiny. No supporting documentation was provided for a number of government accounts in 2009 including credit balances in the revolving fund account totaling $641,044 and lending fund account for the scholarship unit amounting to $3.7m despite the account being asset in nature. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=277922

Fiji: Illicit drugs in package from Ukraine: Fiji Revenue Customs Authority. Fiji’s Boarder Control officers intercepted a parcel sent in from Ukraine containing five packets of white powder believed to be illicit drugs, pseudoephedrine. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/22510/customs-officers-seize-drugs-at-airport-postoffice#sthash.WyQS4Q8r.dpuf

Fiji: One-day polling to avoid fraud: PM Bainimarama. FijiFirst Leader Voreqe Bainimarama says the decision to hold one day polling for the September elections is to avoid fraud in the voting process. http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=42378021453fbfd5ad98c839623ba6

PNG: Australia urged to talk more meaningfully about PNG corruption. An Australian academic says Australia ought to bring up the issue of corruption in PNG in bilateral talks more than it does. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/australia-urged-to-talk-more-meaningfully-about-png-corruption/1360706

Popular posts from this blog

Middle East & North Africa - Ukraine - Sri Lanka

-
Corruption fuels ongoing conflict. The Middle East and North Africa has been in a decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for years. The region is also ranked as the "least peaceful region" according to the Global Peace Index. Transparency International (TI) argues that corruption, conflict, and security are profoundly intertwined. TI: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2022-middle-east-north-africa-corruption-fuels-ongoing-conflict   [Opinion] Ukraine's corruption purge is setting the stage for private investment-driven recovery. Corruption is regarded as a key threat to the Ukrainian economy, depriving public budgets and discouraging foreign direct investments (FDI). The current administration has taken strong anti-corruption action, and the country has witnessed a significant increase in FDI in recent years, says author. DevDiscourse: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/2353089-ukraines-corruption-purge-setting-stage-...
Read more

The Pacific - Nepal - Eastern Europe & Central Asia

-
[Blog] How are perceptions of corruption in seven small Pacific countries? Larger Pacific Island neighbors are often garnering the lion's share of attention both from researchers and policy makers. How are the experiences of corruption in countries like Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), The Cook Islands, Palau, and Nauru? DevPolicy Blog: https://devpolicy.org/perceptions-of-corruption-in-seven-small-pacific-island-countries-20230223/   [Opinion] Two decades of new anti-corruption law in Nepal: Why it missed its mark. According to a Nepalese journalist, the Anti-Corruption law and Prevention of Corruption act of 2002 laid the foundation for numerous investigations, scandals, and court cases. To a large extent, they did however fail to enable significant conviction and return of assets. Online Khabar: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/anti-corruption-law-missing-target.html   [Blog] Growing security risks and authorit...
Read more

Global - Sub-Saharan Africa - Turkey & Syria

-
Invisible Trillions review: Global capitalism operates beyond the rule of law and threatens democracy. Raymond W. Baker's new book "Invisible Trillions" argues that "secrecy has become as important for corporations as transparent and taxable profits used to be". "Only radical improvements across the globe in financial transparency and accountability, and in regulatory capacity and integrity, can break this cycle of political decay and despair". The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/invisible-trillions-review-global-capitalism-operates-beyond-the-rule-of-law-and-threatens-democracy-199311   [Blog] The dynamics of violent extremism in sub-Saharan Africa. There is no better environment for the expansion of violent extremist groups than a vacuum in state authority. These groups begin to compete with the state and may even be initially attractive to communities weary of years of lawlessness, corruption, and chaos according to autho...
Read more