AP-INTACT

Driving licence uproar unmasks character flaws (Opinion).  “The public’s concern that police could demand bribes from drivers who cannot produce a licence stems from the common perception that cops are corrupt and opportunistic.” The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30353017   China pressures family of Australian-based corruption suspect to ensure his return.  China's corruption watchdog has admitted to placing pressure on the family of Lai Mingming the former bank official, a suspect living in Australia to get him to return to China. Kristy Needham/The Sydney Morning Herald: https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/china-pressures-family-of-australian-based-corruption-suspect-to-ensure-his-return-20180824-p4zznf.html   A model for corruption free development in Pakistan (Blog).  “I believe that community engagement in every step of the flow of works on development projects can be a way to eliminate man...

Cash handouts for Malaysia's needy must be stopped, has elements of corruption: Minister Azmin Ali.  “ Cash handouts for Malaysia's lower-income groups should be stopped because there are elements of corruption in it, Minister for Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali said.” The Straits Times : https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/cash-handouts-for-malaysias-needy-must-be-stopped-has-elements-of-corruption-minister   Land bought under false deeds returned.  Thailand’s Public Sector Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) secretary-general Lt-Colonel Korntip Daroj said the owner of the two plots of land was willing to return the land to the state however, officials involved in the case now disciplined and dismissed from the civil service could not be punished because the alleged illegal transaction had taken place more than 30 years ago and statute of limitations had expired. The Nation: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/303...

Graft is alive and well on Asia's 'badland' borders (Commentary).   “Paradoxically, in Southeast Asia, the level of corruption between Laos and Cambodia could affect not only China's BRI but also other cross-border schemes and cooperation efforts -- not least between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.” Marco Ferrarese/Nikkei Asian Review: https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Tea-Leaves/Graft-is-alive-and-well-on-Asia-s-badland-borders   Key Amendment To India's Anti-Corruption Legislation Has Significant Implications For Multinationals Doing Business In India.  “ While the Amendment affords MNCs the opportunity to mitigate their potential exposure by adopting a robust anti-corruption compliance program, the dearth of [the Prevention of Corruption Act] enforcement against private companies leaves significant ambiguity as to how Indian prosecutors will evaluate compliance programs.” Geoffrey M. Atkins,...

Responsible private enterprise key to sustained economic and social progress in Asean (Op-ed).  “Alongside creating decent jobs, the private sector in Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) can spur innovation in smart cities, finance green infrastructure, as well as adopt business models that promote good governance and diversity that serves to future-proof their business models.” Lewis Neal and Valerie Cliff/Asia News Network: https://asianews.network/2018/08/23/responsible-private-enterprise-key-to-sustained-economic-and-social-progress-in-the-asean/   Pak Bans 1st Class Air Travel By Leaders, Officials, Work Hours Revised.  Pakistan's new government has banned the discretionary use of state funds and first-class air travel by officials and leaders, including the president and the prime minister, as part of its austerity drive. NDTV: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/imran-khans-pakistan-pak-bans-first-class-air-travel-by-governme...

Duo charged with bribery over employment of construction workers (Press release).   Two former workers of a construction engineering company have been charged by the ICAC with soliciting and accepting illegal rebates of over $43,000 in total from four fellow workers in relation to their employment with the company. Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC):   https://www.icac.org.hk/en/press/index_id_602.html   Thailand Passes New Anti-Corruption Law.   An important addition in the New Anti-Corruption Law is that the legal entities covered under the law now also include foreign juristic persons, meaning that it applies to organizations that are registered abroad but operating in Thailand. This would cover situations where a company may not have a physical presence in Thailand, but is using local agents to win government contracts, for example. Tilleke & Gibbins/Lexology: https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=2cfc0be0-5b6...

FIJI: Former court clerk faces corruption charges.   Keven Kalpesh Chand is charged with soliciting and accepting an advantage. http://www.fijitimes.com/former-court-clerk-faces-corruption-charges/ Lawyer and businessman given suspended sentence for forgery.   Suva lawyer Aseri Vakaloloma and businessman Benjamin Padarath have been given a suspended sentence by the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon. http://www.fijitimes.com/lawyer-and-businessman-given-suspended-sentence-for-forgery/ Fijians Helping Fiji Cooperative spends $600,000.   The controversial Fijians Helping Fiji Cooperative spent $600,000 in two years and has now run out of money, in what its chairman has described as “a learning process”. http://www.fijitimes.com/fijians-helping-fiji-cooperative-spends-600000/ Arrest warrant issued for Fiji woman over NZ trafficking case.  The women are charged with trafficking, obtaining property by deception and money laundering. ...

Creating a fair business environment to promote sustainable development and growth in ASEAN (Press release).  The new UNDP regional project, 'Promoting a Fair Business Environment in ASEAN', aims to promote a fair business environment in the region by developing transparent systems in both public and private sectors, championing sustainable business practices, as well as strengthening rule of law and anti-corruption mechanisms. United Nations Development Programme: http://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2018/creating-a-fair-business-environment-to-promote-sustainable-deve.html   China Fighting Tax Corruption with Blockchain.  "[O]ne of the methods believed which could help eliminate the use of fake invoices is to start making people, companies, and others submit their applications for tax reimbursement via a blockchain." Yaron Mazor/FXEmpire: https://www.fxempire.com/news/article/china-fighting-tax-corruption-w...

Guest Post: The One Belt, One Road Initiative Needs a Centralized Anticorruption Body (Blog).   "I suggest that one way—perhaps the best way—to achieve the requisite level of anticorruption coordination in the context of the OBOR initiative is to establish a supranational anticorruption body with oversight for OBOR projects. That is, I advocate the creation of a "Silk Road Anticorruption Body" that would have four primary functions:…[coordinating investigations, financial regulations, policy coordination and guidance, and facilitating integration of anticorruption provisions in future agreements." Edmund Bao/The Global Anticorruption Blog : https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/08/16/guest-post-the-one-belt-one-road-initiative-needs-a-centralized-anticorruption-body/   PACC chief selection 'unlawful'.  Thailand's Central Administrative Court has ruled the selection of the new secretary-general of the Public Sector Anti-Corrupt...

China's Xi says military must resist 'corrosion' of corruption.  “ Xi has repeatedly warned about the threat of corruption to the country and the party, and has vowed not to let up in the fight against it.” Ben Blanchard/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-politics-defence/chinas-xi-says-military-must-resist-corrosion-of-corruption-idUSKCN1L40D7   Imran Khan vows to cut government expenses, tackle corruption.  In his first televised speech, new leader pledges to cut down government spending and maintain peace with neighbours. Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/08/imran-khan-vows-cut-government-expenses-tackle-corruption-180819182720963.html   How the 1MDB scandal brought down a century-old Swiss bank (Commentary).  “The world's largest financial scandal has toppled a government, threatened a currency, and revealed deeply problematic failings at a buccaneering Swiss bank, say two observers from ...

Former provincial official imprisoned for bribery.  Zhang Wenxiong, former head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Hunan provincial committee, was sentenced to 15 years in prison and fined 2 million yuan for taking bribes and holding a huge amount of property with unidentified sources. Yurou/Xinhua: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-08/16/c_137395902.htm   Corporate Liability for Corruption in India: Some Notes on Reform (Blog).  “The penalties for corporations that commit corrupt acts need to be stronger and more certain, but at the same time the agencies responsible for prosecuting corporate corruption cases need to be much clearer – both to their own employees and to potential defendants – about when a corporation has made sufficient efforts to prevent corruption that it should escape punishment even when it could technically be held liable.” Abhinav Sekhri/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://g...

Pakistan's Khan Names Cabinet, Vowing to Eliminate Corruption. Imran Khan was sworn in as Pakistan's prime minister on Saturday after winning a vote from a majority lawmakers with a pledge to curb corruption through "ruthless accountability." Kamran Haider/Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-18/pakistan-s-khan-takes-oath-as-pm-with-promise-to-end-corruption   With succession question settled, graft watchdog can now regain trust and move on (Editorial).  "There was a time, unfortunately, when personnel changes at the Independent Commission Against Corruption had fueled speculation and doubts about its integrity. Now that the issues are being settled, there is hope that the watchdog can regain public trust and move on." South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/2160322/succession-question-settled-graft-watchdog-can-now-regain   Why are anti-corruption success stories still the excep...

Dan McGarry: Fighting for media freedom and truth in the Pacific.   When the host country Nauru banned the pool broadcaster, ABC, from the Pacific Islands summit set for next month, it was condemned widely for an attack on freedom on the media. Lee Duffield recently paid a visit to Dan McGarry , media director of the Vanuatu Daily Post, who took a lead, declaring his outlet would no longer go. https://asiapacificreport.nz/2018/08/15/dan-mcgarry-fighting-for-media-freedom-and-truth-in-the-pacific/   FIJI: Church under probe.   The investigations surfaced when Grace Road Church founder Grace Ok-ju was arrested in Korea on allegations of incarceration, assault and money laundering. http://www.fijitimes.com/church-under-probe/ September judgement for former council staff on corruption charges.   Nausori Resident Magistrate Vandhana Lal will deliver the judgement next month for a former acting Senior Rates Officer of the Nausori Town Council who is ...

    From: ap-intact@groups.undp.org <ap-intact@groups.undp.org> Sent: Friday, August 17, 2018 5:59 AM To: ap-intact <ap-intact@groups.undp.org> Subject: [ap-intact] Bagan projects reported / Coal pollution corruption / Journalism prize open   Shady Bagan Projects Reported to Anti-Corruption Commission.  Locals of Bagan, the archaeological zone in central Myanmar, said they have filed a complaint to the Anti-Corruption Commission of Myanmar and requested an investigation into development and conservation projects that were done in their area. Zarni Mann/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/shady-bagan-projects-reported-anti-corruption-commission.html   Corruption allows mine-mouth coal plants to pollute (Opinion).  “The role of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is crucial to rescue residents in the areas around mine-mouth power plants, which do not use adequate pollution co...

    Duterte fires military hospital chief for corruption.   President Duterte fired the chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Medical Center, more popularly known by its old name V. Luna General Hospital, the head of its logistics office and 20 others reportedly for massive corruption involving millions.  Edith Regalado/Philstar: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/14/1842450/duterte-fires-military-hospital-chief-corruption#rTRTuMV4oJ6RRldh.99   Lack of Funding Fueling Corruption in Forestry Sector, Senior Official Says.  More than 3,200 Forestry Department staff overseen by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation have been subject to disciplinary action over the past seven years for violations including bribery and corruption, negligence, misconduct, and poor performance, department director U Khin Maung Win said, adding that the problem is largely a result of under-funding. Kyaw Myo/The Irr...

Corrupt shelters for kids could shake people's faith in charity.   " Shocking incidents in two shelter homes in different Indian states have revealed rape and physical abuse of children and a web of corruption" Kanchan Srivastava/Asia Times : http://www.atimes.com/article/corrupt-shelters-for-kids-could-shake-peoples-faith-in-charity/   Japanese casino tycoon arrested in Hong Kong: ex-firm.   A controversial Japanese casino tycoon Kazuo Okada has been arrested in Hong Kong over alleged and unspecified "corruption-related" offences, according to his former company in Tokyo. The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/08/06/japanese-casino-tycoon-arrested-in-hong-kong-exfirm/   Luxury jet linked to 1MDB to return to Malaysia as soon as we can make it fly: Mahathir.  The plane, thought to currently be in Singapore, is the latest asset Malaysia is seeking to claw back that was allegedly bought by businessman ...

Can Blockchain Help Bypass the Problem of Corruption in Development Aid? (blog).  "Blockchain technology would allow donors to transfer money to end users directly (and instantaneously), bypassing the formal financial institutions and corrupt bureaucracies that have often been the source of financial leakage, and preserving a transparent record of all transactions." Heesu Chung/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/08/13/can-blockchain-help-bypass-the-problem-of-corruption-in-development-aid/   Duterte's anti-corruption body to probe collusion of Customs execs in shabu smuggling.  The Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission will conduct its own probe into the entry of about P6.8 billion worth of shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride in the country. Phil Star: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/12/1842036/dutertesanti-corruption-body-probe-collusion-customs-execs-shabu-smuggling#SeW030lsVcVWtxQ2.99 ...

Hong Kong MTR’s HK$97.1 billion link scandal: consequences, loopholes and solutions. “On a radio programme…Democratic Party lawmaker Lam Cheuk-ting, deputy chairman of the Legislative Council’s transport panel, said the existing mechanism mainly relied on signoffs made by professionals because this was taken to mean they were held accountable and had observed proper ethics.” Kanis Leung/South China Morning Post:https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/2158939/hong-kong-mtrs-hk971-billion-link-scandal To Check Corruption, Cops in Himachal Pradesh's Una Barred from Carrying over Rs 200.  Continuous complaints of policemen seeking bribes, especially from pilgrims coming from neighbouring Punjab to pay their obeisance at the temples located in Himachal Pradesh, had led the district police chief to introduce this measure. News18:  https://www.news18.com/news/india/to-check-corruption-cops-in-himachal-pradeshs-una-barred-from-carrying-over-rs-200-1841...