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Former HK graft-buster reflects on old days, relishes new passion .  "Shoring up public confidence was one of the biggest challenges in Tony Kwok Man-wai’s 27-year career at [Hong Kong's Independent Commission Against Corruption] afterhe was promoted to deputy commissioner [in 1997] to lead the Operations Department, the first ethnic Chinese to head the ICAC’s law enforcement arm." Walter Ng/EJINSight: http://www.ejinsight.com/20170718-former-graft-buster-reflects-on-old-days-relishes-new-passion/ Timor-Leste election: Voters hope for action on corruption, economy .  While Timor-Leste's president has praised the peace and stability surrounding the parliamentary election, voters say it is time for the government to tackle corruption and daily needs in a country facing an uncertain economic future. SBS: http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/07/22/timor-leste-election-voters-hope-action-corruption-economy How this agency is waging war against corruption in...

Malaysia's National anti-corruption strategy should be re-assessed, says former chief graft buster from Hong Kong .  "Noting the 'flat-lining' trend of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) based on international reports, the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)'s former commissioner Bertrand de Speville said there is no show of progress." Karen Arukesamy/The Sun Daily: http://www.thesundaily.my/news/2017/07/17/national-anti-corruption-strategy-should-be-re-assessed-says-former-chief-graft-bust Argentina’s Draft Bill on Corporate Criminal Liability for Bribery: Some Striking Innovations on Sanctions (commentary) .  "there were a couple of things about the draft bill that struck me as interesting and worthy of attention from the wider anticorruption community. Matthew Stephenson/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/07/18/argentinas-draft-bill-on-corporate-criminal-liability-for-bribery-some-st...

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: PIPSO code of conduct discussed at workshop.  Participants at the Pacific Island Private Sector Organisation's regional capacity building workshop in Nadi were presented with a draft Code of Conduct earlier this week. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=410114 Regional workshop on anti-corruption.  Natural disasters have greatly impacted private sectors in the Pacific in the past few years. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=410122 Claims Fiji govt's financial mismanagement getting worse.  Financial mismanagement in Fiji's government departments is...

Whistleblower protection urged in Taipei workshop .  A two-day workshop on protecting the safety and rights of top-level whistle-blowers opened 19 July 2017 in Taipei, hosted by the Agency Against Corruption and co-organized by the Papua New Guinea governmentto draft regulations that would live up to the spirit of the UN Convention Against Corruption. Hsieh Chun-lin & Jake Chung/Taipei Times: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2017/07/20/2003674928 Malaysian civil society coalition calls for separate independent anti-corruption body .  Governance, Integrity, Accountability and Transparency (GIAT), a coalition of civil societies, has called for the formation of an independent anti-corruption commission to tackle issues of corruption in the country. Danial Albakri/The Star Online: http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/07/19/civil-society-coalition-calls-for-separate-independent-anti-corruption-body/ Korea president initiates anti-corruption dri...

KPK receives widespread support in rift with parliamentarians .  Indonesia's anti-graft agency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), has received widespread support from the local and international community over what is believed to be another systematic ploy by politicians to weaken the graft buster's power in the country, following a rift between the KPK and lawmakers because of the agency's investigation of the multi-trillion rupiah electronic identity card (e-KTP) project. Jakarta Globe: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/kpk-receives-widespread-support-lawmakers-attempt-weaken-authority/ Indian anti-corruption drive raises fears of unequal treatment .  The Indian government is moving to strengthen accountability among senior civil servants, but observers warn that this drive may lead to miscarriages of justice if it isn’t accompanied by efforts to tackle corruption amongst elected politicians. Abhimanyu Kumar/Global Government Forum: https://www.globalgover...

Daily Corruption News 24 July 2017 Today's Top Story China :  China rising political star facing corruption probe BBC Sun Zhengcai was the Communist Party chief of a major metropolis, Chongqing. Before his abrupt removal from office earlier this month, he was a strong contender to rise to the elite seven-member committee that rules China. But now China's anti-corruption body says it is investigating him for serious violations of discipline. Other News European Union :  EU rebukes governments over money laundering rule The Irish Times Jamaica :  Senate approves Bill for single anti-corruption agency Jamaica Observer Maldives :  Maldives opposition says blocked from entering parliament for impeachment vote Reuters New Zealand :  Political Roundup: Expect an extraordinary report on corruption and whistleblowing New Zealand Herald Poland :  Polish president vetoes controversial court reforms Agence France-Presse USA :  J...

  World: Nigeria’s ex-oil minister battles slew of graft cases both at home and abroad Jul 24, 2017 08:00 pm Nigeria’s former oil minister faces charges only at home but her name crops up in a growing number of international cases that lift the lid on the scale of alleged corruption in the country’s oil sector. Since leaving office in... Read More       Singapore: Ex-RSAF engineer charged with offences over contracts worth $1.76m Jul 24, 2017 07:30 pm An ex-RSAF engineer was charged  on Friday  (July 21) with cheating the government into awarding contracts relating to aircraft repair and maintenance worth $1.76 million to companies he had an interest in. Rajkumar Padmanthan, while employed as a Republic of... Read More       Pakistan: Pakistan’s top court weighs dismissal of PM over corruption report Jul 24, 2017 07:00 pm Pakistan’s Supreme Court  on Friday  (July 21 2017) finished hearing arguments on a scathi...

No sustainable development without tackling corruption: The importance of tracking SDG 16 (opinion) .  "While Goal 16 itself is not due for comprehensive review until 2019, there is a broad consensus that without meaningful action to reduce corruption, progress towards the other goals is likely to be extremely limited." Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/no_sustainable_development_without_tackling_corruption_SDG_16 Possible Wimbledon match-fixing under investigation by tennis anti-corruption body .  Three Wimbledon matches from this year’s Grand Slam, including one from the main draw, are under investigation for potential match-fixing violations.  Des Bieler/The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/07/19/possible-wimbledon-match-fixing-under-investigation-by-tennis-anti-corruption-body China’s Anticorruption Campaign Adds Popular Culture Entertainment Into its Toolbox (commentary) ....

S. Korea to investigate corruption of ranking officials .  The government plans to set up an independent body to investigate corruption and influence-peddling involving high-level government officials within this year as part of the top 100 policy goals to be announced by the State Affairs Planning Advisory Committee, which served as President Moon Jae-in’s de facto transition team. KBS World Radio: http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Po_detail.htm?No=128729 Watchdogs question Afghanistan govt’s anti-graft strategy .  The High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption (HOOAC) has criticized the Afghan government’s anti-corruption approach, saying the lack of a working strategy has resulted in a stalemate in terms of fighting the scourge.   TOLO News: http://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/watchdogs-question-govt%E2%80%99s-anti-graft-strategy Nepal's anti-graft body files corruption case of over 100 million U.S. dollars against senior officials .  Nepal's...

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: Corruption perception changing at Land Transport Authority.  Land Transport Authority chief executive Carmine Piantedosi saystheir zero tolerance policy is being taken seriously and any reports on any corruption related matters are dealt with immediately. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/52668/corruption-perception-changing-at-lta-piantedosi SOLOMON ISLANDS: Minister travels overseas, no reply to secret meeting .  Minister for Mines, Energy and Rural Electrification David Day Pacha allegedly flew overseas to hold a secret meeting with an Asian miner. http://www.so...

Iran Launches Portal to Promote Freedom of Information .  In an effort to increase transparency and promote Freedom of Information (FOI) in the Islamic Republic, the Iranian government has officially launched a portal that provides people with free access to the information of state institutions. Iran Front Page: http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/iran-provides-free-access-information-foi/ How Afghanistan’s Public Procurement Reform Is Changing .  What has changed, what has achieved and whose benefits are at stake? Mohammad Adil Zahed/The Diplomat: http://thediplomat.com/2017/07/how-afghanistans-public-procurement-reform-is-changing/ Asian Education and Development Studies special issue on corruption available online .  Guest-edited by Dr. Jon S.T. Quah, this special issue consists of five case studies on how Botswana, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Rwanda and Singapore have combated corruption and a comparative article written by Dr. Quah. Please note that ac...

Myanmar govt to implement mandatory assets disclosure for senior officers .  The government has initiated bold steps to stem corruption and improve the efficiency of civil service by urging senior officers to disclose their assets – a key element in the Civil Service Reform (CSR) strategic action plan. Htoo Thant/Myanmar Times: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/26747-government-to-implement-mandatory-assets-disclosure-for-senior-officers.html Fighting corruption: the call for public procurement reforms (opinion) .  "Corruption in public procurement is no longer regarded as a system failure: it is the de facto system." Faran Mahmood/The Express Tribune: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1454237/fighting-corruption-call-public-procurement-reforms/ Open Government Partnership—Part of fighting corruption (opinion) .  "The Philippines is one of the eight founding countries in the OGP initiative and began formal participation in September 2011,...

Iran suspends 78 judges last year .  The Protection and Intelligence Centre of Iran’s Judiciary declared that 78 judges, 20% more than last year, were suspended from their jobs from March 2016 to March 2017, according to a Farsi report by the IRIB News Agency. Iran Front Page: http://ifpnews.com/exclusive/78-judges-suspended-iran/ Korean fight to end corruption highlighted at UN event .  The Anticorruption and Civil Rights Commission’s Vice Chairman Park Kyung-ho presented at a side event of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.  Korea JoongAng Daily: http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3035748&cloc=joongangdaily%7Chome%7Cnewslist1 Collective Commitment to Enhance Accountability and Transparency in Emergencies: Afghanistan Report, April 2017 .  This report presents an evidence base concerning corruption risks and prevention and mitigation measures in relation to the im...

India business group says Goods and Services tax curbs corruption .  With over 22 states dismantling inter-state check posts after the rollout of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1, an Associated Chambers of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) analysis finds that there has been a significant reduction of 24 to 36 hours in trucking time, apart from saving fleet owners Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,500 per trip by way of bribes at the check posts. Daily News and Analysis: http://www.dnaindia.com/business/report-abolishing-check-posts-after-gst-saves-time-curbs-corruption-assocham-2498425 TI New Zealand applauds the decline in foreign trusts .  Government implementation of tougher disclosure requirements for foreign trusts has produced a significant drop in registrations, from 11,675 registered foreign trusts in April last year to only 3,000 as of the 1 July deadline. Scoop: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1707/S00165/tinz-applauds-the-decline-in-foreign-trusts.htm Myanmar ru...

OECD Budget Transparency Toolkit .  This toolkit offers a gateway to the various global budget and fiscal transparency institutions, official instruments, standards, and guidance materials. Online and print versions published 7 July 2017/Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): http://www.oecd.org/gov/budgeting/budget-transparency-toolkit.htm How to Protect Your Website on the Cheap .  "Adversaries of independent journalists are now using an electronic arsenal to…silence independent voices and suppress any attempt to expose cases of corruption, negligence or human rights violations." Jorge Luis Sierra/Global Investigative Journalism Network: http://gijn.org/2017/07/03/how-to-protect-your-website-on-the-cheap/?utm_content=buffer64f90&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer Eleven global banks partner with UN to make financial markets more climate transparent .  Representing over $7 trillion, eleven major f...

Incorporating Corruption and Accountability into Public Health Education (commentary) .  "Students graduate from public health programs with little knowledge about the causes and consequences of corruption in the health sector, the reasons why good governance is so important to health care systems, the best ways to prevent, detect, and report cases of corruption." Ashley Demming/Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2017/06/30/incorporating-corruption-and-accountability-into-public-health-education/ Former KPK boss appointed to oversee graft-mired village funds .  Former Corruption and Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy chairman Bibit Samad Rianto has been selected to oversee the Village Funds Task Force to monitor the disbursement of government funds and prevent their misuse. The Jakarta Post: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/07/05/former-kpk-boss-appointed-to-oversee-graft-mired-village-funds.html Groups recount ...

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. Australia a 'place of choice' for money laundering due to lack of regulation: ANZ.  ANZ Bank says a lack of political will has seen successive Australian governments fail to extend money laundering laws to cover lawyers, real estate agents and accountants. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-13/should-australias-anti-money-laundering-laws-be-extended/8703354 COOK ISLANDS: PAC recommends legal action to recover stolen money.  The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) wants the police to take a civil legal case to recover more than $24,000 from a former police officer jailed f...

Current, former police officers among 5 charged with corruption in Singapore .  A police officer and two former police officers were among five people charged in court on Thursday (Jun 15) in connection with acts of corruption and bribery. Lianne Chia/Channel News Asia: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/current-former-police-officers-among-5-charged-with-corruption-8946268 3 of 5 Indian professionals willing to work in companies involved in corruption cases .  A survey conducted by consultancy EY shows how inconsistency in encouraging high ethicalstandards by corporates has led employees to justifying unethical behaviour at the workplace.  Ranjani Ayyar/The Times of India: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/3-of-5-professionals-willing-to-work-in-cos-involved-in-corruption-cases/articleshow/59150267. cms Bangladesh anti-graft agency chief says conviction rate is 70%.   Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Chairman Iqbal Ma...