Asia-Pacific Integrity in Action [ap-intact] --- posts of 14 August 2015

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Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (14 August 2015) -- Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands

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


Fiji:

No answers for $100m question. Finance Ministry representatives attending the Public Accounts Committee could not explain how funds amounting up to $100million annually were disbursed saying "they were not in a position to do so". http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?ref=archive&id=316658

FRCA officer charged by FICAC for receiving bribe. Fiji Revenue and Customs Authority officer has been charged by FICAC for two counts of receiving a bribe. http://fijivillage.com/news/FRCA-officer-charged-by-FICAC-for-receiving-bribe-59r2ks/

FIU lobbies for phone tapping. Fiji is not complying with international standards of protecting the country from the enrichment or financing of weapons of mass destruction. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/31712/fiu-lobbies-for-phone-tapping-#sthash.CwfVXnLw.dpuf


Vanuatu:

Accused MPs in court next month. Eighteen Vanuatu MPs, facing allegations of bribery, are to appear in the Supreme Court on the 1st of September. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/281213/vanuatu-bribery-accused-mps-in-court-next-month


PNG:

Opposition says LNG money handled corruptly. The leader of the Papua New Guinea Opposition, Don Polye, has accused the Peter O'Neill Government of corruption over the way it handles LNG project money. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/281202/png-opposition-says-lng-money-handled-corruptly


Solomon Islands:

Minister Accused for abusing power’s in office. Bodo Dettke, Minister of Forestry has come under heavy criticism with allegations of misusing and abusing his power as minister, influencing and stopped SLH Timber Corporation Ltd to carry out logging activities and community development on Northwest Guadalcanal. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7858-minister-accused-for-abusing-power-s-in-office

MP criticizes public sector. A Member of Parliament (MP) and a Minister of the Crown has condemned the work of the public sector, labelling it as corrupt, irresponsible and needs overhaul. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7871-mp-criticizes-public-sector

2,000 bribe exposed. A Magistrate Court official in Honiara has exposed a SBD$2,000 (US$258) cash bribe he was offered to alter court records. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/7752-2-000-bribe-exposed


Cook Islands:

Car sale questions. An opposition politician in the Cook Islands says he wants more transparency over the sale of twenty cars bought especially to ferry around dignitaries for the recent 50th anniversary celebrations. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/281204/car-sale-questions-in-cook-islands

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INFO: Malaysia - New legislation needed

The Malaysian government has been urged to consider proposals to enact a special law to compel political parties to manage their funds in a more transparent and organised manner.

Read the story in Free Malaysia Today. http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2015/08/12/new-legislation-needed-to-investigate-political-funds/

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INFO: Indonesian court orders Suharto foundation to repay millions 
"Indonesia’s Supreme Court has ordered the repayment of millions of dollars embezzled by the late President Suharto, whose autocratic rule was characterised by rapid economic growth and rampant corruption."
Read the story by Avantika Chilkoti, in Financial Times. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/93701bcc-40f1-11e5-9abe-5b335da3a90e.html#axzz3ikAyuRDb

 

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