AP-INTACT

Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork ) If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. Report on the Bangladeshi media and the Right To Information Act .  Management and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) has launched an assessment report on How the Bangladeshi Media use the RTI Act for Free and Qualitative Reporting, with support from the Embassy of Switzerland to Bangladesh and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC. The report is available for download here: http://mrdibd.org/downloads/Assessmentreport-SwissEmbassy.pdf Thank you to Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director, MRDI, Dhaka, Bangladesh, for sharing this information. DFID’s Efforts Undermined As The Government Stalls On Anti-Corruption (opinion) .  "Unfortunately, whilst DFID prioritise anti-corruption efforts to try and help the world’s most disadvantaged people, other parts of the UK Government are falling short....

Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork ) If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. Bangladesh anti-graft body forms monitoring bodies .  The Anti-Corruption Commission formed dedicated committees to closely monitor activities of the officials and staffs of 14 government organisations and departments, commonly perceived as prone to corruption. The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/city/acc-monitoring-bodies-formed-1347562 Thailand corruption index hits six-year high .  Thailand’s Corruption Situation Index (CSI) last month reached its highest point in six years, while corruption has caused an average loss of 0.8 per cent of gross domestic product since military rule was established, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting. The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30304452 Are Australia’s Corrupti...

Transparency International has launched its latest 2016 Corruption Perception Index . China’s ranking continues to improve, moving up by four places from last year’s rank of 83 to a rank this year of 79. Our post discusses some of the highlights of the 2016 Corruption Perception Index. Read more in Global Compliance News: https://globalcompliancenews.com/ti-2016-corruption-perception-index-20170127/

  United States: U.S. judge approves Braskem $633 million fine in record corruption case Jan 27, 2017 08:00 pm A U.S. judge on Thursday sentenced the Brazilian petrochemical company Braskem SA to pay a $632.6 million criminal fine, in connection with a corruption case that led to the largest foreign bribery settlement in U.S. history. Braskem had agreed to... Read More     Brazil: Brazil police seek former billionaire Batista in graft probe Jan 27, 2017 07:30 pm Brazilian police are seeking the arrest of fallen commodities tycoon Eike Batista as part of a vast political bribery probe, investigators said on Thursday , adding that the former billionaire appeared to have already flown to New York. Batista, Brazil’s richest... Read More     United States: Two Ex-Och-Ziff Executives Accused by SEC in Bribery Scheme Jan 27, 2017 07:00 pm Two former Och-Ziff Capital Management Group executives, including the ex-head of the hedge fund’s European office, w...

27 January 2017 Today's top story Brazil: Eike Batista, once Brazil’s richest man, is sought in corruption inquiry The New York Times The Brazilian police announced on Thursday that they were seeking the arrest of Eike Batista, the oil and mining tycoon who was once the country’s richest man, in an expansion of the vast corruption investigation that has ensnarled dozens of politicians and business leaders. More news Indonesia: Indonesian anti-graft agency detains Constitutional Court judge Reuters Israel: Netanyahu interviewed by anti-corruption po...

Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter ( https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork ) If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. The 9 countries best at fighting corruption . The World Economic Forum's 2017 "Inclusive Growth and Development Report" includes Singapore, New Zealand, and Japan among the countries in the list, based on how well corruption is fought and the ethics of political and business environments. Will Martin/Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/countries-best-at-tackling-corruption-2017-1/#t8-denmark-527-in-2015-denmark-was-voted-the-most-transparent-country-in-the-world-by-transparency-international-and-it-scores-highly-in-the-wefs-analysis-it-is-the-lowest-ranked-of-four-scandinavian-countries-on-this-list-1 Chinese companies report high number of fraud cases in 2016, Kroll survey finds .   Almost nine of 10 Chinese companies encountered fraud cases last year, with many reported cases involving ...

These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government. If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. PNG: PNG improves on global corruption index.  Papua New Guinea has improved its standing in the latest Transparency International Corruption Index.   http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/323102/png-improves-on-global-corruption-index VANUATU: Leadership Code Breached.  A public report by the Office of the Ombudsman, Kalkot Mataskelekele has recommended that Member of Parliament for Tanna Constituency Bob Loughman, be prosecuted for breaching the Leadership Code.   http://dailypost.vu/news/leadership-code-brea...

Senior Executive Certificate in Institutional Integrity Management programme, 18-28 April 2017 .  The 2017 Senior Executive Certificate in Institutional Integrity Management programme will be held in Hong Kong University from 18-28 April 2017 and it is now inviting applications from overseas anti-corruption or related organizations in both public and private sectors, as well as those responsible for institutional integrity in all institutions. For more information, visit http://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/senior-exe-cert-in-institutional-integrity-management Thank you to Tony Kwok, Adjunct Professor & Hon Course Director, Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education, for sharing this information. Corruption erodes Tk 180b GDP a year in Bangladesh .  Corruption has prevented an annual addition of at least Tk 180 billion to the country's gross domestic product (GDP), shows a conservative official estimate. Fakhrul Islam/Prothom-Alo: http://en.prothom-alo.co...

UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub is looking to start a new social media platform on Facebook that deals with issues revolving around Responsive and Accountable Institutions. Please tell us about initiatives around the region that have Facebook pages -- or on other social media platforms such as WeChat (China, Singapore), Line (Japan, Singapore), KakaoTalk (SouthKorea), Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp (Singapore), Viber, and others including blogs -- that focus on anti-corruption, judicial integrity, open government, local government, sustainable development, and overall service delivery. By mapping different social media initiatives throughout the region we can reach out to these groups and inform them about the new UNDP project and, hence, increase visits to both our site and their sites. This is an open-ended e-query with no deadline. Please share with ap-intact@groups.undp.org any information that is relevant to this query.

Baker McKenzie launches Global Anti-Corruption Risk Map .   Baker McKenzie has created a one of its kind, interactive Anti-Corruption Risk-Map that provides information on primary anti-corruption legislation and enforcement agencies, offences, defences, and penalties in 55 countries. Nicolai Behr/Global Compliance News: https://globalcompliancenews.com/baker-mckenzie-launches-global-anti-corruption-risk-map-20170115/ The International Foreign Bribery Taskforce and the rise of international cooperation among anti-corruption authorities . Generally working outside the public eye, the International Foreign Bribery Taskforce was established by the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Australian Federal Police and the City of London Police Overseas Anti-Corruption Unit in 2013 as a platform for real-time information sharing and cooperation on cross-border anti-corruption investigations and prosecutions. Ben Allen & Paul M. Lalonde/Lexology: http://www.lexology.com/librar...

These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government. If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. PNG: Polye questions independence of Electoral Commissioner.  PNG's opposition leader has again expressed his deep concern over the independence of the Electoral Commissioner as the country nears general elections. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/322656/png's-polye-questions-independence-of-electoral-commissioner PNG to make its officer recruitment programme more transparent The Papua New Guinea police force say they've been forced to suspend their officer recruitment programme, as they struggle to deal with the rise in repo...

Long history of corruption in Philippine police force .  The police force is widely regarded as one of the Philippines’ most corrupt institutions, a reputation reinforced by recent accusations three officers abducted and murdered a South Korean businessman. Gulf News: http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/philippines/philippine-police-drug-generals-assassins-torturers-negotiators-for-kidnappers-1.1963861 China Approves Anti-Corruption Rules .  The Chinese Communist Party approved a new set of rules that will increase the party’s control and supervision of corruption investigators. Joyce Huang/Voice of America: http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/chinese-commission-approves-anti-corruption-rules/3672234.html Australian opposition leader throws support behind federal ICAC .  Federal Parliament is set to conduct its first comprehensive investigation into the case for a national anti-corruption watchdog after Opposition Leader Bill Shorten threw his support behind an inquiry. Matthe...

Mongolia toughens punishment for corruption .   The Mongolian Parliament's Judicial Standing Committee has backed an amendment of the criminal law that tightens punishment for corruption and embezzlement offences. AKI Press: http://akipress.com/news:587532/ China's anti-graft agencies set to be realigned .  China's four-year anti-corruption fight will produce a new institution, called a supervisory commission, to integrate separate and less effective corruption control authorities. ECNS.CN: http://www.ecns.cn/2017/01-12/241221.shtml Procurement Agencies: Put In Screens! (opinion) .  "Cartel screens are software programs that analyze bids received on public tenders for patterns suggesting the companies bidding agreed to rig the bid." Rick Messick/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/01/11/procurement-agencies-put-in-screens/

The US and Afghanistan Need a New, Long-Term Anticorruption Strategy (opinion) .  "War lords and criminals… are mainly responsible for running the mafia-style corruption machine in Afghanistan." Ahmad Shah Katawazai, Defense Liaison at the Embassy of Afghanistan to the United States/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/01/12/guest-post-the-us-and-afghanistan-need-a-new-long-term-anticorruption-strategy/ New laws being framed to eliminate corruprtion in Pakistan .  The Cabinet Committee on Anti-Corruption Establishment Law Reforms constituted by the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has finalized its recommendations to make remedial measures and best possible legal provisions to make the Anti-Corruption Establishment more effective which will help improve conviction rate of the culprits. Salim Ahmed/Pakistan Observer: http://pakobserver.net/new-laws-being-framed-to-eliminate-corruprtion/ Myanmar Anti-corruption Commission receives o...

Anti-graft law reshapes Koreans' after-work culture . South Korea's anti-corruption law, which seemingly has nothing to do with one's leisure activities, has changed the way many South Korean employees spend their evenings. Choi Soo-hyang/Yonhap News Agency: http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2017/01/04/0200000000AEN20170104006300315.html Cambodia anti-graft agency sees complaints drop .  The number of complaints received by the Anti-Corruption Unit almost halved between 2014 and 2016, the six-year-old institution has said in a statement, with its chairman attributing the drop in part to fewer people complaining about issues not under its purview. Niem Chheng/The Phnom Penh Post: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/acu-sees-complaints-drop Court s must stringently handle corruption cases, says Vietnam president.  Courts must work more closely with police investigations, the State procuracy and other relevant agencies in cases of corruption and violations of economic la...

These updates are provided by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Anti-Corruption Project for Southeast Asia, and the joint UNODC - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, with support of the Australian Government. If a link below does not work, please copy and paste the link into your browser’s address bar instead. FIJI: Kamlesh Arya’s plea deferred to the 8th of next month.  The plea for former politician and Registrar of the University of Fiji, Kamlesh Arya, will now be taken on the 8th of next month. http://fijivillage.com/news/Kamlesh-Aryas-plea-deferred-to-the-8th-of-next-month-2k9s5r/ Final FICAC witness in Tikoca’s case reveals money was transferred from PNG to Brisbane.  The final prosecution witness in Ratu Isoa Tikoca’s case has told the Suva Magistrates Court that he received sourced documents showing that there was money transferred from the bank a...

300 corruption cases pending for two decades across India .  As many as 300 cases related to corruption are pending for the last 20 years in 80 courts across the country, according to the Central Vigilance Commission, adding that around 3,500 cases have been pending for more than five years in different courts. The Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/300-corruption-cases-pending-for-20-years-across-india-cvc/articleshow/56394931.cms Pakistan proposes lifetime ban on convicts of corruption from holding any public or government office .  Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said this amendment in article 25 (A) of the National Accountability Bureau ordinance was proposed to fight the menace of corruption. Radio Pakistan: http://www.radio.gov.pk/07-Jan-2017/govt-s-resolve-on-curbing-corruption-life-time-ban-on-convicts-of-corruption-from-holding-any-public-or-government-office-proposed Time for MACC to be independent, says Amanah leader .  The Malaysi...

Cash Crunch: How Will India’s Supreme Court Respond to Modi’s Radical Move? (opinion)   "As the Supreme Court deliberates on demonetization’s constitutionality, it should keep in mind that it is balancing multiple public interests: to check petty corruption and to limit public suffering." Michael Maruca/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/01/06/cash-crunch-how-will-indias-supreme-court-respond-to-modis-radical-move/ National press contest on anti-corruption 2017 announced in Vietnam .  The 2017 national press award on the fight and prevention of corruption and wastefulness has been launched by the Việt Nam Journalists’ Association (VJA) and the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee. Viet Nam News: http://vietnamnews.vn/society/349252/national-press-contest-on-anti-corruption-2017-announced.html Corporate or Individual Liability? Converging Approaches to Fighting Corruption (opinion)   "In terms of deterring corrupt acts, a br...

How to nurture an anti-corruption attitude (opinion) .  " Corruption skills are not something that people are born with, they must be obtained through a learning process, particularly within a group, an organization, or a society." Hendi Yogi Prabowo, Director of the Center for Forensic Accounting Studies at the Islamic University of Indonesia/The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2017/01/09/how-to-nurture-an-anti-corruption-attitude.html Corruption as a buttress of jihadist ‘states’ (opinion) .  "Corruption played a decisive role in weakening states and alienating local populations from the state structures, empowering jihadist movements and in offering possibilities of funding for their activities." Theodoros Benakis/New Europe: https://www.neweurope.eu/article/corruption-buttress-jihadist-states/ China combats corruption within anti-corruption agency .  China's anti-corruption agency says it is going to watch its officials more closely, aft...

Nepal Supreme Court removes anti-graft chief .  In a historic verdict, Nepal’s top court ordered the removal of the country’s anti-corruption head from his post, saying that he did not meet qualifications required to hold the powerful post. The Hindu: http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/Nepal-Supreme-Court-removes-anti-graft-chief/article17009000.ece Reducing Corruption in the Use of Development Aid: The Payment by Results Model (opinion) .  "In searching for alternative models for distributing aid in light of the aid-corruption paradox, some donors have turned to yet another approach: payments by results (PbR)." Carina Bentata Gryting/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/01/09/reducing-corruption-in-the-use-of-development-aid-the-payment-by-results-model/ Thailand one step closer to approving death penalty for corrupt politicians .  The Thai government appointed a National Reform Steering Assembly that passed a proposal under which...

Full support for Malaysian government's new graft war .  The business community, industry players, civil servants and Bukit Aman will give their full cooperation to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the war on graft focusing on the civil service. Farik Zolkepli, Rashvinjeet S. Bedi, & Rahimy Rahim/The Star Online: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/01/04/full-support-for-maccs-new-graft-war-business-community-industry-players-civil-servants-and-bukit-am/ China's graft watchdog turns camera on itself in TV series .  China's top graft watchdog has begun airing a three-part television series highlighting corruption within its ranks, sending a message that there will be no omissions in Chinese President Xi Jinping's war on corruption. Thomson Reuters Foundation: http://news.trust.org/item/20170104043039-hbj13/?source=hpbreaking ‘Social, family pressure major reasons behind corruption’ [in Pakistan].   In a talk to government workers, Director Ge...