AP-INTACT

Bangladesh authorities are working with counterparts abroad to recover proceeds of corruption ('stolen assets'), says Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr. Atiur Rahman. A new transfer pricing monitoring unit in the National Board of Revenue is monitoring trade transactions to detect illicit outflows through mis-invoicing, he added. The central bank chief also said authorities are probing into legality and tax-compliance in the Swiss bank deposits and buying of Malaysian second homes by Bangladesh nationals reported in the media. Read the story in The Financial Express. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/04/19/89350

[ap-intact] INFO: Defence industry gets "fail grade" for anti-corruption

Transparency International UK says two thirds of the world's major defence companies get a "fail grade" for combating corruption in their business operations, despite improvements in industry practices in the past three years. Read the story by Stella Dawson, in Thomson Reuters Foundation. http://www.trust.org/item/20150427010050-l4rdf/?source=gep

[ap-intact] INFO: India anti-corruption agency tells gov’t agencies to hire outside experts

Citing delays in probing suspected corruption in construction projects, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has asked government departments to hire independent and reliable engineers to finish these investigations on time. "An independent and reliable engineer, if considered necessary can also be appointed or hired for assisting the Chief Vigilance Officers," the CVC said in an order. Read the story by the Press Trust of India, in Zee News. http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/hire-outside-experts-to-finish-corruption-probe-on-time-cvc_1581133.html

[ap-intact] Thinking of our colleagues in Nepal

Our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues in Nepal at this very difficult time.

[ap-intact] COMMENTARY: Reversing the impact of corruption - How stolen assets can help the poor

"Civil society needs to play a role in asset return. When government officials plunder state treasuries or extract bribes for concessions, those living in poverty, citizens who are most dependent upon social services, suffer the most. Independent local and international NGOs are best positioned to ensure that returned assets are put to the most productive use. Local organizations know the needs on the ground and together with international NGOs can identify interventions that will yield the best development impacts, and most importantly, meet international standards for transparency." Read the commentary by Swathi Balasubramanian and Colby Pacheco, in DevEx. https://www.devex.com/news/reversing-the-impact-of-corruption-how-stolen-assets-can-help-the-poor-85794

[ap-intact] INFO: Bridging the policy implementation gap to curb corruption and spur investment

One way the aid community can help curb corruption and spur investment is by participating in drafting policies and helping popularize them, Jacqueline Musiitwa, managing partner at Hoja Law Group, told Devex Impact associate editor Adva Saldinger in this video interview. Read the story by Jacques Jimeno, in DevEx. https://www.devex.com/news/bridging-the-policy-implementation-gap-to-curb-corruption-and-spur-investment-85870

[ap-intact] INFO: Seminar on quality of government and anti-corruption reforms in Korea

The Quality of Government (QoG) Institute, which is based in the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, announced a 20 April seminar on QoG and anti-corruption reforms in Korea. Presentations will include: "The Quality of Government in Korea: Changes and challenges", by Hyeonwoo Lee and Jeeho Lee, of the Good Government Research Project in Sogang University,; "Procedural Justice and Perceived Electoral Integrity: The Case of Korea's 2012 Presidential Election", by Yongho Cho of Sogan University and Yongchul Kim of Yongnam University; and, "Fight Corruption in Korea since Democratization: An institutional approach", by Deokrho Lee of Sejong University and Yonhyok Choe, of the Quality of Government Institute. For more information, please visit http://qog.pol.gu.se/e/?eventId=2065999028

[ap-intact] COMMENTARY: Making Anticorruption Education Work -- The To Do List

“What goes into the design of effective anticorruption education programs? What factors must be considered? How can we ensure that anticorruption education is genuinely effective? While the issues are complex and many are country-specific, I want to highlight six important components of a successful anticorruption education program.” Read the post by Shinta Nur Fauzia, a Master of Laws Candidate at Harvard Law School, in the Global Anticorruption Blog. http://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2015/04/20/making-anticorruption-education-work-the-to-do-list/#more-2883

[ap-intact] INFO: Growing threat of bribery and corruption in New Zealand

The Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Legislation Bill is set to implement changes to New Zealand’s legislation on bribery and corruption. It is timely considering that a recent survey has highlighted the growing threat in New Zealand. Read the article by Alicia Murray, in Global Compliance News. http://globalcompliancenews.com/new-zealand-to-address-growing-threat-of-bribery-and-corruption-20150415/

[ap-intact] INFO: Hanoi City’s anti-corruption programme cracks down on graft

A programme to combat corruption and promote thrift in the 2011-15 period helped Hanoi City save nearly 3.7 trillion VND (171 million VND), according to a city official. Read the story in Vietnam Net Bridge. http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/government/128299/hanoi-anti-corruption-programme-cracks-down-on-graft.html

[ap-intact] INFO: Chinese police chase corruption suspects in Australian suburbs

A report in The Age says Chinese police have quietly travelled to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne to convince a Chinese-born tour bus driver, now believed to be a naturalized Australian citizen, to return and face bribery charges in China. Read the story by Philip Wen and John Garnaut, in The Age. http://www.theage.com.au/world/chinese-police-chase-corruption-suspects-in-australian-suburbs-20150414-1mkwd2.html

[ap-intact] REPORT LAUNCH & SEMINAR: What ASEAN Should do to fight Corruption (Transparency International)

[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Rukshana Nanayakkara, Transparency International, for sharing this information. AP-INTACT shares this information strictly as a service to members. To know more, you may get in touch with the contact persons below. Please do not send your query to AP-INTACT. AP-INTACT is not responsible for the accuracy of the posted information. It assumes no liability for the registration and programme practices/decisions of the sponsoring organisation.] Transparency International, the leading civil society organisation fighting corruption worldwide, will release a new report on why ASEAN leaders must create a regional body – the ASEAN Integrity Community -- that integrates anti-corruption principles into the framework of a proposed regional economic community. The report launch will be followed up by a seminar on ASEAN Integrity Community: A Vision for Transparent and Accountable Integration. The report Launch: ASEAN Integrity Community: A vision for transparent and...

[ap-intact] PUBLICATION: Governance in Developing Asia (ADB and Edward Elgar Publishing)

This publication provides an overview of the role that better governance and citizen empowerment can play in improving public service delivery in developing Asia. The World Development Report 2004 set a framework for public service delivery in terms of the short and long roads to accountability of service providers to citizens. More than a decade on, this book revisits the issue and departs from the WDR framework, highlighting its shortcomings and offering alternative solutions. Read more in Asian Development Bank. http://www.adb.org/publications/governance-developing-asia?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alerts

[ap-intact] INFO: India donates 35 vehicles to Nepal's anti-graft body

Indian authorities donated 35 vehicles to Nepal's anti-graft body, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA). Worth 33 million Nepali rupees (about $331,000), the 35 vehicles include five sedans, 15 double door pickups, and 15 sport SUVs. Read the story in The Times of India. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/India-gifts-35-vehicles-to-Nepals-anti-graft-body/articleshow/46946210.cms

[ap-intact] INFO: Indonesian women leaders and anti-corruption agency mark Kartini Day

[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Adhi Setyo Tamtomo, International Cooperation Specialist, Corruption Eradication Commission, Indonesia, for sharing this information.] Indonesian women leaders joined the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in commemorating Kartini Day, 21 April, in Jakarta. Kartini Day is an Indonesian holiday commemorating the birth in 1879 of Raden Ajeng Kartini, one of the country's national heroes and a pioneer in the emancipation of Indonesian women. The commemoration marks the first anniversary of the “I am an anti-corruption female movement". Read the story in Tempo.co. http://en.tempo.co/read/news/2015/04/22/055659720/Puan-Sinta-Wahid-Celebrate-Kartini-Day-in-KPK

Ethical Alliance Daily (21 April 2015)

United States: Former Mayor Of Spring Valley Found Guilty In Federal Court Of Bribery, Extortion And Fraud Charges Published on Apr 21, 2015 11:30 pm Japan: For corporate bribery, the soapland bubble is bursting Published on Apr 21, 2015 11:00 pm Russia: Russia to launch own corruption index, to replace ‘biased’ Transparency Intl Published on Apr 21, 2015 10:30 pm Australia: Icac corruption investigations stalled after Margaret Cunneen high court loss Published on Apr 21, 2015 10:00 pm South Korea: South Korea PM tenders resignation over bribery scandal Published on Apr 21, 2015 09:30 pm Ukraine: Prosecutor’s claim of receiving offer of $10 million monthly bribe ignites controversy Published on Apr 21, 2015 09:00 pm China: CCTV uncovers corruption in China’s grain storage SOE Published on Apr 21, 2015 08:30 pm Sri Lanka: Rajapaksa backers occu...

Daily Corruption News (21 April 2015) - Transparency International

21 April 2015 Today's top story Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka opposition demands anti-graft chief's sacking Agence France-Presse Sri Lanka's main opposition demanded Tuesday the country's anti-graft chief be sacked for summoning former president Mahinda Rajapakse to answer bribery allegations amid renewed uproar in parliament. More news China: China's anti-corruption campaign: The greatest hits CNN Money Indonesia: Indonesia pushes overhaul of state firms as key to growth Wall S...

[ap-intact] INFO: Corruption high in int’l student sector of leading Australian universities?

Australia's leading universities, including the prestigious University of Sydney and the Australian National University, allegedly engaged corrupt education agents who are falsifying the academic records of prospective international students to ensure their acceptance into the Australian tertiary system, according to an investigation by ABC TV's Four Corners. Read the story by Lisa Visentin, in Brisbane Times. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/nsw/corruption-rife-in-international-student-sector-of-leading-australian-universities-abcs-four-corners-reports-20150420-1mp64t.html

[ap-intact] INFO: Rights versus powers -- anti-corruption agencies under the gun around Australia

Anti-corruption agencies are under threat across Australia, according to this analysis in The Sydney Morning Herald. Read the article by Nick McKenzie, in The Sydney Morning Herald. http://www.smh.com.au/national/rights-versus-powers-anticorruption-agencies-under-the-gun-around-australia-20150417-1mmj39.html

[ap-intact] INFO: Australian federal police investigates surge in foreign bribery allegations