Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (10 Feb 2018): Fiji, PNG, Solomon Islands, Samoa

-
Get AP-INTACT posts on Twitter (https://twitter.com/apintactnetwork) and Blogger (http://newsbin-apintact.blogspot.com/)

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:

Key trends from complaints to Fiji's Independent Commission Against Corruption.  FICAC now receives over 10,000 complaints each year about a range of issues from people across the country concerned about corruption, mismanagement, and abuse of power.

http://devpolicy.org/key-trends-from-complaints-to-fijis-independent-commission-against-corruption-20180131/

Man remanded for allegedly dishonestly obtaining over $23,000.  A man who allegedly obtained more than $23,000 under the Help for Home's initiative appeared in the Suva Magistrates court.

http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/59569/man-remanded-for-allegedly-dishonestly-obtaining-over-23,000

Defence Counsel Given Time To Respond To Written Statement.  Chand is charged with one count of abuse of office.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/02/07/defence-counsel-given-time-to-respond-to-written-statement/

PAPUA NEW GUINEA:

PNG opposition contempt case in court.  The Post Courier reported the charges relate to a warrant of arrest for the prime minister over allegations of corruption.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/349765/png-opposition-contempt-case-in-court

PNG Catholic Church furious over alleged land fraud.  The apparently fraudulent sale came after the church obtained a restraining order when the logging company arrived unannounced on the site in November and set about establishing a camp

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/349438/png-catholic-church-furious-over-alleged-land-fraud

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Where to now for anti-corruption reform in Solomon Islands? (opinion)  "There are reasons to be concerned about these political maneuvers. In particular, they highlight the significant difficulties faced by those seeking to challenge political corruption, which has been linked to organized crime and the decimation of the country's natural resources."

http://devpolicy.org/where-to-now-anti-corruption-reform-solomon-islands-20180202/

Police Credit Union probe still ongoing.  Police investigation into the alleged misuse of the Police Credit Union is progressing well.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/index.php/news/national/item/19971-police-credit-union-probe-still-ongoing

SAMOA:

Wouldn't it just be wonderful if the "millions" wasted through corruption could be used to raise the minimum wage instead? (opinion) "If the government does its job in creating an enabling environment for the private sector to flourish, we wouldn't be having this conversation today."

http://sobserver.ws/en/03_02_2018/editorial/29541/Wouldn%E2%80%99t-it-just-be-wonderful-if-the-%E2%80%9Cmillions%E2%80%9D-wasted-through-corruption-could-be-used-to-raise-the-minimum-wage-instead.htm

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

Popular posts from this blog

Middle East & North Africa - Ukraine - Sri Lanka

-
Corruption fuels ongoing conflict. The Middle East and North Africa has been in a decline on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for years. The region is also ranked as the "least peaceful region" according to the Global Peace Index. Transparency International (TI) argues that corruption, conflict, and security are profoundly intertwined. TI: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2022-middle-east-north-africa-corruption-fuels-ongoing-conflict   [Opinion] Ukraine's corruption purge is setting the stage for private investment-driven recovery. Corruption is regarded as a key threat to the Ukrainian economy, depriving public budgets and discouraging foreign direct investments (FDI). The current administration has taken strong anti-corruption action, and the country has witnessed a significant increase in FDI in recent years, says author. DevDiscourse: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/business/2353089-ukraines-corruption-purge-setting-stage-...
Read more

The Pacific - Nepal - Eastern Europe & Central Asia

-
[Blog] How are perceptions of corruption in seven small Pacific countries? Larger Pacific Island neighbors are often garnering the lion's share of attention both from researchers and policy makers. How are the experiences of corruption in countries like Tuvalu, Tokelau, Niue, the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), The Cook Islands, Palau, and Nauru? DevPolicy Blog: https://devpolicy.org/perceptions-of-corruption-in-seven-small-pacific-island-countries-20230223/   [Opinion] Two decades of new anti-corruption law in Nepal: Why it missed its mark. According to a Nepalese journalist, the Anti-Corruption law and Prevention of Corruption act of 2002 laid the foundation for numerous investigations, scandals, and court cases. To a large extent, they did however fail to enable significant conviction and return of assets. Online Khabar: https://english.onlinekhabar.com/anti-corruption-law-missing-target.html   [Blog] Growing security risks and authorit...
Read more

Global - Sub-Saharan Africa - Turkey & Syria

-
Invisible Trillions review: Global capitalism operates beyond the rule of law and threatens democracy. Raymond W. Baker's new book "Invisible Trillions" argues that "secrecy has become as important for corporations as transparent and taxable profits used to be". "Only radical improvements across the globe in financial transparency and accountability, and in regulatory capacity and integrity, can break this cycle of political decay and despair". The Conversation: https://theconversation.com/invisible-trillions-review-global-capitalism-operates-beyond-the-rule-of-law-and-threatens-democracy-199311   [Blog] The dynamics of violent extremism in sub-Saharan Africa. There is no better environment for the expansion of violent extremist groups than a vacuum in state authority. These groups begin to compete with the state and may even be initially attractive to communities weary of years of lawlessness, corruption, and chaos according to autho...
Read more