[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (21 March 2015) - PNG, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Fiji

-
[Facilitator’s note: With thanks to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for these updates.]

PNG: Prosecutor seeks tribunal to hear MP allegations. Papua New Guinea's Public Prosecutor has written to the Chief Justice to appoint a tribunal to enquire into allegations of misconduct against Imbonggu MP and Works Minister Francis Awesa. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/269000/png-prosecutor-seeks-tribunal-to-hear-mp-allegations

PNG: Aid monitor says Australia ‘benefiting’ from corruption. The director of an independent monitor of Australia’s aid and trade policy says the Government must do more to combat corruption in Papua New Guinea, including bringing to account Australian companies involved in fraudulent land and business leases in the Pacific nation. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-06/aid-monitor-says-australia-needs-to-do-more-to-stop-corruption-/6285162

PNG: MP and Accounts Chair arrested on corruption charges. The MP and Public Accounts Committee chairman John Hickey has been arrested and charged by the police fraud squad in Papua New Guinea. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268857/mp-and-accounts-chair-arrested-on-corruption-charges

PNG: Bail attempt by MP dismissed. In Papua New Guinea, a three-member Supreme Court bench has dismissed imprisoned Komo-Magarima MP Francis Potape's application for bail. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268644/bail-attempt-by-png-mp-dismissed

PNG: Another Minister referred for misconduct. The Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Commission has referred the Minister for Public Service Sir Puka Temu to the public prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268505/another-png-minister-referred-for-misconduct

PNG: Australia's anti-corruption work in PNG defended. A regional development expert says claims that Australian aid to PNG isn't helping combat corruption are overstated. http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/australias-anticorruption-work-in-png-defended/1424053

Solomon Islands: Boso trial soon. The permanent secretary for the Ministry of Rural Development accused of failing to furnish information to the Ombudsman office will be standing trial soon. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/6184-boso-trial-soon

Solomon Islands: Former Finance Minister charged. A former Solomon Islands Finance Minister and current MP for South Malaita, Rick Hou, has been charged for official misconduct. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/268501/former-solomons-finance-minister-charged

Tonga: PM Pohiva to pay legal costs in private action. Tongan Prime Minister ‘Akilisi Pohiva will pay costs to the former Prime Minster Lord Tu’ivakano, Princess Pilolevu Tuita and two other respondents after an unsuccessful criminal appeal, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=70198540754ffb2948271db0fcb070

Fiji: Public Accounts Committee wants anti-corruption agency report. Lack of documentation and mechanisms in place in government departments is a major cause of mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=297738

Popular posts from this blog

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 authoritarian
Read more

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

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