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Korea’s Anti-Corruption Assessment Piloted in 63 Vietnam Provinces .  UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC), in partnership with the UNDP Vietnam Country Office, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (ACRC) of the Republic of Korea, and the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam, organized a national workshop in Hanoi to review the outcome of the 2016 Provincial Anti-Corruption Assessment (PACA) Tool, developed based on the successful experience of the Korean ACRC’s Anti-Corruption Initiative Assessment (AIA) tool and experiences. Seoul Policy Centre: http://www.undp.org/content/seoul_policy_center/en/home/presscenter/articles/2017/03/17/korea-s-anti-corruption-assessment-piloted-in-63-provinces-of-vietnam-.html Thank you to Ahjung Lee, UNDP Seoul Policy Centre, for sharing this information. Adrenalin-fueled TV drama to spur on China's war on graft .  Helicopter chases, fridges full of cash and officials caught in bed with their foreign mistresses are all in a day's w...

Vietnam’s Biggest Corruption Trial Starts .  One of Vietnam’s biggest corruption trials began in Hanoi with dozens of former bank executives facing jail time for corrupt practices which cost the bank VND 1.5 trillion (US$ 65.89 million). Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project: https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/6147-vietnam-s-biggest-corruption-trial-starts Bangladesh: Public hearings can fight corruption (opinion) .  "Public hearings can be thought of as a way of removing asymmetric information and thereby, empowering citizens with information, who can be expected to be in a better bargaining position than before." Nasiruddin Ahmed, Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission of Bangladesh/The Daily Star: http://www.thedailystar.net/perspective/public-hearings-can-fight-corruption-1368823 Forget ratings, see the bigger picture on corruption (opinion) .  "Instead of waiting for annual corruption scores and rankings, we should focus our attention on how go...

Lessons from Samsung and South Korea in cracking down on corruption (opinion) .  "If we want really to fight corruption in the business world we must also have the courage to transform the internal structure of big companies." Costantino Grasso/The Conversation: http://theconversation.com/lessons-from-samsung-and-south-korea-in-cracking-down-on-corruption-74383 Note ban will not help India in fighting corruption, says noted economist .  Noted US-based economist T N Srinivasan has cast serious doubts on the efficacy of the cash ban move, saying it will not help in fighting the menace of blackmoney. The Economic Times: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/note-ban-will-not-help-india-in-fighting-corruption-says-noted-us-based-economist-t-n-srinivasan/articleshow/57632355.cms Duterte's Flip-Flops And Corruption Haunt Philippines Stocks (opinion) .  "Growing corruption is a signal to equity markets that the [Philippines] is losing the war ...

Corruption cases in China jumped one-third in 2016 .  The number of corruption cases heard by Chinese courts jumped by about one-third last year, as the country’s top prosecutor vowed there would be no let up in China’s campaign against deep-seated graft. Reuters/The Japan Times: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/12/asia-pacific/crime-legal-asia-pacific/corruption-cases-china-jumped-one-third-2016/#.WMdPUBKGORs Chinese artists keep pace with fight against corruption .  Staged for the fourth time in Beijing, "In the Name of People", adapted from a novel under the same title, sheds light on Chinese politics and officialdom in the ongoing campaign against corruption. Xinhua/Global Times: http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1037328.shtml China legal chiefs vow to continue anti-corruption campaign . China's chief justice and top prosecutor have both affirmed that authorities will show zero tolerance toward corrupt officials and pledged to continue the country...

Why Philippines' Duterte and India's Modi Cannot Get Rid of Corruption (commentary) .  "The bottom line: Death squads and new rupees won’t solve Philippines’ and India’s corruption problem." Panos Mourdoukoutas/Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2017/02/18/why-philippines-duterte-and-indias-modi-cannot-get-rid-of-corruption/2/#286606d32b1a Rampant corruption in villages caused by incompetence, says Indonesia Corruption Watch .  ICW researcher Wana Alamsyah said there was a phenomenon it called “local elite capture” in which leaders at the village level misused village funds disbursed from the central government. The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/19/rampant-corruption-in-villages-caused-by-incompetence-icw.html Indonesia pushes for long-delayed asset recovery bill .  The Corruption Eradication Commission and the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center are pushing for several anti-corruption bills to ...

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank say no to corrupt bidders .  The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has barred nearly 1,000 entities that have been sanctioned by other leading development banks from participating in its projects. Xinhua/China: http://www.china.org.cn/business/2017-03/11/content_40443030.htm China's anti-corruption efforts bolster confidence in gov't .  China's anti-corruption efforts have bolstered both the public's and global market's confidence in the government, said Mexican experts. Xinhua/ECNS: http://www.ecns.cn/voices/2017/03-11/248894.shtml A Test of Jokowi’s Ability to Take A Hard Line Against Corruption .  Indonesian politicians with key roles in President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's governing coalition have been caught up in a corruption scandal in which they allegedly pilfered more than $170 million of government money. Netral News: http://www.en.netralnews.com/news/currentnews/read/2480/a...

Anti-corruption boss says Phuket 'most corrupt' in Thailand .   A Facebook post by the Anti-Corruption Organization of Thailand prompted an emergency meeting of the island’s top bosses to 'investigate' allegations of corruption laid against officials from major sectors of the government. Phuket Gazette: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Anticorruption-boss-says-Phuket-corrupt-Thailand/66265 Corruption kills (opinion) .  The writer, a respected Filipino architect and urban planner, says government bureaucracy and red tape in securing building permits encourages corruption and substandard construction, endangering public safety in times of disaster. Felino A. Palafox, Jr/The Manila Times: http://www.manilatimes.net/corruption-kills/312504/ Little Laos tackles big corruption .  Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith's anti-graft drive aims to restore public confidence in communist rule amid reports of rampant misconduct David Hutt/Asia ...

Afghanistan Takes a Digital Leap to Tackle Corruption .  Set up in accordance with the Procurement Law of Afghanistan, [the National Procurement Authority or NPA] is one of the most far-reaching anti-corruption measures undertaken by the Government of Afghanistan.  The World Bank: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2017/03/12/afghanistan-takes-digital-leap-tackle-corruption China's NPC to enhance anti-corruption legislation .  China will push forward its anti-corruption legislation by drafting a national supervision law this year, Fu Ying, spokeswoman of the Fifth Session of the 12th National People's Congress, said on Saturday. ECPS: http://www.ecns.cn/2017/03-04/247914.shtml Singapore's Top Model .  "Singapore’s uniqueness and historical conditions make 'modelling' after it largely impossible [and] rather than a process of 'cloning' Singapore elsewhere, it should inevitably be a process of fragmentary borrowing in the form of less...

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. SOLOMON ISLANDS: Slow airport audit .  An audit into millions of dollars being disbursed for the construction of the Mana’oba airport in North Malaita has dragged on for a year now due to missing files and records. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/12465-airport-audit-slow TONGA: Arrest for passport forgery .  Two men have and been arrested and charged in relation to forgery over Tongan passport applications. http://matangitonga.to/2017/03/13/two-men-arrested-passport-forgery Tonga’s first Ombudsman .  A changeover from a Commissioner for Pu...

Norway's wealth fund may blacklist firms over emissions, corruption risk .  The ethics watchdog for Norway's $900-billion sovereign wealth fund will recommend this year that the fund exclude or put on a watch list several firms in the oil, cement and steel industries for emitting too much greenhouse gas. Vietnam Net Bridge: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/world-news/174191/exclusive--norway-s-wealth-fund-may-blacklist-firms-over-emissions--corruption-risk.html India has the highest bribery rate in Asia-Pacific region .  India has the highest bribery rate in the Asia Pacific region where nearly seven in 10 people who had accessed public services had paid a bribe, said a report by the Transparency International. ARY News: https://arynews.tv/en/india-has-the-highest-bribery-rate-in-asia-pacific-region/ Myanmar state counselor says anti-corruption measures gathering speed .  Myanmar's fight against corruption is beginning to gather momentum, and graft is not tha...

South Korea’s democracy shines through in a crisis (opinion) .  "When a sensational corruption scandal in South Korea stole global headlines late last year, many in the east Asian nation felt embarrassed for their country [but now] they should feel pride." Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/ec3ebb1e-05a3-11e7-ace0-1ce02ef0def9 Is it time for an independent anti-corruption body to monitor elections in Southeast Asia? (opinion)   "ASEAN nations continue to rank poorly for electoral integrity and money politics remains widespread." Victoria Wah/ASEAN Today: https://www.aseantoday.com/2017/03/is-it-time-for-an-independent-anti-corruption-body-to-monitor-elections-in-southeast-asia/ Corruption 'direct threat' to Afghanistan's existence .  EU Special Representative in Afghanistan Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin said despite some progress in the fight against corruption, it remains endemic and poses a real existential threat to Afghanista...

New U4 publication on mining and community development .  U4 has published a new paper on mitigating corruption risks in community development initiatives in the mining sector, written by Dr. Michael Nest, an anti-corruption expert who formerly worked for the Independent Commission Against Corruption in Sydney, Australia. The paper can be accessed here: http://www.u4.no/publications/preventing-corruption-in-community-mineral-beneficiation-schemes/ Thank you to Kendra Dupuy, Senior Advisor, Natural Resource Management, U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, for sharing this information. Asia's Five Most Corrupt Countries (opinion) .  "From South Korea’s presidential scandal to Malaysia’s 1MDB fund, not many Asian countries have been able to avoid the smear of corruption." Tanvi Gupta/Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanvigupta/2017/03/13/asias-five-most-corrupt-countries/#16400bf96a98 KPK under threat amid high-profile graft .  A plan to alter the powers ...

Opinion: How transparency can lead to peace .  "Above all else, Colombia must begin the implementation process by eradicating corruption from both the public and private sectors if the peace deal is to succeed." Maria Paula Correa/DevEx: https://www.devex.com/news/opinion-how-transparency-can-lead-to-peace-89681 Religious agencies not above graft investigations, says Malaysia anti-corruption body .  Religious agencies are not above investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) if there are elements of corruption and offences, says MACC deputy chief commissioner (operations) Datuk Azam Baki. Malaymail: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/macc-religious-agencies-not-above-graft-investigations India anti-corruption agency to probe graft cases in private banks .  The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) will monitor graft-related cases in private sector banks as well, amid reports that officials of several private banks allegedly ...

India top court says that reporting public views on judicial corruption isn’t contempt .  The Supreme Court observed that a report based on public views regarding corruption in judiciary may not invite contempt of court action and that such surveys instead gave opportunity to address the malady in the system. Utkarsh Anand/The Indian Express: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/reporting-public-views-on-judicial-corruption-isnt-contempt-sc/ Pakistan top court calls for strict punishment to corrupt officials .  A three member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Dost Muhammad Khan while issuing a verdict regarding the bail of two officials belonging to Balochistan directed the courts across the country to award maximum punishment to officials involved in corrupt practices. Zahid Chaudhary/Pakistan Observer: http://pakobserver.net/sc-for-strict-punishment-to-corrupt-officials/ Civil Society on Returning Stolen Assets to Highly Corrupt ...

Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter (https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork) 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. SOLOMON ISLANDS: Anti-corruption strategy before Parliament.  Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has moved a motion in Parliament for a resolution by the House to for the Committee of the Whole House to consider the Solomon Islands National Anti-Corruption Strategy. http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews&m=read&o=34009596458bddde472476ef6802bd FIJI: FICAC investigates alleged Help For Homes Card Scam .  The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has con...

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. China's anti-graft efforts provide boost to poverty relief work .  China has benefitted from its increased effortsin cracking down on corruption in poverty relief work, further cementing the country's remarkable accomplishments in poverty alleviation. ECNS: http://www.ecns.cn/2017/02-27/247016.shtml Failing the graft battle (opinion).   "From all evidence, corruption is flourishing at high levels, and for the corrupt, their crime pays, even when it is exposed." Bangkok Post: http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1206245/failing-the-graft-battle Working with local government to prevent corruption (opinion) .  "Locally driven approaches to democracy and governance are valuable on a number of fronts, and we have found this particularly true in anticorruption programs."...

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. KPK, law enforcers hold joint anticorruption training .  The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and several law enforcement institutions are conducting joint training to develop both the skills and knowledge of investigators, prosecutors, auditors and other law enforcement officers concerning corruption eradication. The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/27/kpk-law-enforcers-hold-joint-anticorruption-training.html Understanding things we don't know about graft (opinion) .  "With regard to corruption, research publications are meant to support the formulation of anti-corruption policy, assess impacts, provide alternative perspectives and facilitate broader debates and discussions." Hendi Yogi Prabowo, Director of the Center for Forensic Accounting Studies at the ...

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. Which countries impose death penalty for corruption?   In some countries like China and North Korea, public officials have been executed or may face death for corruption and other related crimes like bribery Cathrine Gonzales/Rappler: http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/161412-countries-execution-corrupt-government-officials-death-penalty Anti-corruption improving across SE Asia, despite graft at higher levels .  The anti-corruption landscape throughout Southeast Asia is improving slowly but steadily, but often in spite of those in power, a report from Hogan Lovells has found. Asian Correspondent: https://asiancorrespondent.com/2017/02/anti-corruption-improving-across-se-asia-despite-graft-higher-levels/ Livestock, Agricultural Production Plummet with Anti-Corruption Law .  A recent r...

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. International Anti-Corruption Academy training opportunities.  Summer Academy . 30 Jun - 7 Jul 2017; application deadline: 20 March 2017.  “Best Of” seminar . 4 and 5 July 2017; application deadline: 16 April 2017.  Anti-Corruption in Local Governance Training . 10 - 14 July 2017; application deadline: 7 April 2017.  Procurement Anti-Corruption Training . 17 Jul - 18 Aug 2017; application deadline: 18 April 2017 Thank you to Yoojin Choi, Head of Programmes and Activities Department, IACA - International Anti-Corruption Academy, for sharing this information. Job opportunity: Consultancy to conduct empirical research on the links between corruption and violent extremism in the Asia-Pacific region . Location : Singapore.  Application deadline : 15-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, US...

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. Why combating corruption in government contracts is key to funding the Sustainable Development Goals .  "As the world looks for new ways to finance the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, combating corruption in public procurement may trigger a virtuous cycle of ensuring higher quality public services and infrastructure that is built to last longer, as well as savings that can finance new development projects that bring us closer to the goals." Elodie Beth, Regional Governance Advisor, UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub/Our Perspective-UNDP in Asia and the Pacific:  http://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/blog/2017/3/1/Why-combating-corruption-in-government-contracts-could-be-key-to-funding-Sustainable-Development.html Sri Lanka's new information law puts corrupt officials in cros...

Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter (https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork) 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. SOLOMON ISLANDS: Watchdog says Solomons anti-corruption bills might never pass.  PendingSolomon Islands anti-corruption legislation, which includes the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption and introduction of whistleblower protection and freedom of information laws, might never be passed according to the chairperson of Transparency Solomon Isands. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/325656/watchdog-says-solomons-anti-corruption-bills-may-never-pass KIRIBATI: ...

Spotlight Open Government Partnership: Next steps for the Afghan Government and civil society    By Sayed Ikram Afzali, Executive Director In December 2016, the Afghan Government announced its desire to join the Open Government Partnership (OGP). Since then, there has been little movement on the part of the Afghan Government to take any practical steps towards developing and implementing an open government agenda. The Afghan Government must meet at least the basic requirements of the OGP . There are basic and advanced standards that the Afghan Government should meet throughout the OGP cycle, during development of a national action plan for open government reforms, and when implementing and reporting the action plans. An essential element of the OGP cycle is dissemination of information throughout the process. Some basic steps would include the development of a website for OGP or...

01 Mar 2017 by Elodie Beth, Bangkok Regional Hub A bridge collapses because of poor construction. Pupils in an elementary school lose a month or two of classes because their books aren’t ready. A young woman dies after she receives a vaccine for a common influenza.  These are not uncommon headlines in the news. But they often contain a common underlying thread: corruption and nepotism in government contracts leads the state to buy sub-standard goods and services. Estimates show that about a fourth of the procurement budget is drained through corruption, which is around 2 trillion USD annually (OECD, 2013). These cases illustrate how the failure of governments to timely and effectively deliver public services such as infrastructure, education and health, affects the lives of millions every day. These basic services are at the very core of the Sustainable Development Goals that governments across the world have committed to. Despite efforts to introduce laws in recent decad...