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Corruption Perceptions Index 2018 (Resource).   More than two-thirds of countries score below 50 on this year’s CPI, with an average score of just 43.  Transparency International: https://www.transparency.org/cpi2018   PM launches Malaysia’s Anti-Corruption Plan.   The National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 (NACP) launched by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad seeks to deal with the country’s four main causes of corruption: administrative failure (the manipulation of systems and procedures), conflict of interest (relating to discretionary power, absolute power and political interference), weak internal control and non-compliance, and a lack of transparency. Bernama: http://www.bernama.com/en/general/news.php?src=ilaw&id=1689930   University councillors escape asset declarations.   The Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission has decided to exempt university council chairs and members from having to decla...

Macron tells Abe he is worried about Carlos Ghosn's time in prison.  The French president’s comment on the ex-Nissan chief’s detention since Ghosn was indicted for allegedly understating his income at Nissan and transferring personal trading losses to the carmaker. The Japan Times: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2019/01/28/national/politics-diplomacy/macron-tells-abe-worried-carlos-ghosns-time-prison/#.XE6yfVwzaUk   Indonesia takes steps to trace stolen assets hidden abroad.  Indonesian President Joko Widodo has revealed that after several years of delay, Indonesia and Switzerland will soon ratify a Mutual Legal Assistance agreement which will make it possible to trace illegal financial activities between Indonesian and Swiss financial institutions. Ahmad Novindri Aji Sukma/Asia Times: http://www.atimes.com/indonesia-takes-steps-to-trace-stolen-assets-hidden-abroad   Hong Kong’s Hung Hom station is safe and building must go o...

Powerful tool or paper tiger? Integrity Pacts reality checked – Part 1 (Blog).  “Claim #1: Having an Integrity Pact is a certification of a corruption-free procedure. Reality Check: Sadly not!” Transparency International:  https://voices.transparency.org/powerful-tool-or-paper-tiger-integrity-pacts-reality-checked-part-1-88da22db740d   Deloitte and KPMG investigated over involvement in Malaysia’s 1MDB corruption scandal.  The Malaysian Securities Commission confirms it is looking to the firms to determine if they were “aiding and abetting in this scandal, or merely negligent.”; this move comes after criminal charges have already been filed against Goldman Sachs. Tashny Sukumaran/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/2183715/abetting-scandal-or-merely-negligent-deloitte-and-kpmg   #NepalLeaks: How Illegal Funds Are Channeled Into Nepal In the Name Of Foreign Direct Invest...

The effect of corruption perception on tax revenues (Op-ed).  “The effect that corruption perception can have on tax revenue collection is interesting, since citizens might find a moral ground to evade taxes.” Meliha Ahmed/Dhaka Tribune: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2019/01/21/the-effect-of-corruption-perception-on-tax-revenues   Graft cases on the rise in Malaysia because people no longer fear reporting them: PM Mahathir.  Speaking on Malaysia’s experiences in fighting corruption at the International Anti-Corruption Academy, Dr Mahathir said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government is giving people who report corruption cases more protection under the whistleblowers act. Asia News Network: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-corruption-cases-rise-mahathir-11151114   Hopes of ending graft lie in presidential support (Analysis).   “If the President can control corruption in the police and prose...

FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA: Businessman charged with bribing Hawaii, FSM officials . A Hawaii businessman has been charged with dishing out bribes of nearly half a million dollars to officials in Hawaii and the Federated States of Micronesia. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/380539/businessman-charged-with-bribing-hawaii-fsm-officials Public Auditor hosts talent show for International Anti-Corruption Day. The Pohnpei Office of the State Public Auditor (POPA) united with the Youth-4-Change to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day at the Kolonia/China Friendship Gymnasium http://www.kpress.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1194:public-auditor-hosts-talent-show-for-international-anti-corruption-day&catid=8&Itemid=103   SAMOA: “What corruption?” Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr. Sa’ilele Malielegaoi yesterday rejected allegations of corruption within the Government and the public servi...

Chinese drone maker DJI uncovers corruption, sees $150 million loss. China’s SZ DJI Technology Co Ltd, the world’s largest maker of consumer drones, has discovered several cases of serious corruption at the company and expects 2018 losses of more than 1 billion yuan ($150 million) as a result.   Josh Horwitz and Brenda Goh/ Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-dji/chinese-drone-maker-dji-uncovers-corruption-sees-150-million-loss-idUSKCN1PC158   Putting a stamp on graft.   An anti-graft study programme at Thai universities lies at the kernel of "Youngsters with Good Hearts", an anti-corruption curriculum for students in tertiary education designed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission with the support of United Nations Development Programme. Apiradee Treerutkuarkul/Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1614002/   NGO: Detailed evidence more important than screen captures, photos in c...

An anti-graft plan that finally works?   With 115 initiatives, the National Anti-Corruption Plan(2019-2030) covers among others, political funding, interference in tender processes by all levels, including members of the Royal household, appointment of members of the Bench, giving parliament more punch, making enforcement bodies more accountable, the creation of ombudsmen and limiting the tenure of senior state and federal leaders. The Star:  https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/21/an-antigraft-plan-that-finally-works-nacp-to-involve-all-stakeholders-from-the-very-top-to-even-scho/   Sandiganbayan refuses to junk graft case of Aurora governor.   The Sandiganbayan 6th Division refused to junk the graft case of Aurora Governor Gerardo Noveras who was charged by the Office of the Ombudsman last year for alleged irregularities in a road repair project in 2014. Adrian Ayalin/ABS CBN News: https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/01/21/...

Co-Create the 6th OGP Global Summit Agenda (Call for proposals).  The 6 th Open Government Partnership Global Summit to be held in Ottawa, Canada 29-31 May 2019 is now receiving ideas for topics, speakers and sessions until 6 February 2019. Open Government Partnership: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/stories/co-create-6th-ogp-global-summit-agenda   China corruption watchdog’s big catch Zhao Zhengyong linked to string of scandals.  Anti-corruption enforcers in China have caught their highest ranking “tiger” – as crooked senior officials are known – so far this year, with the arrest of a former Communist Party chief in the scandal-ridden northwest province of Shaanxi. William Zheng and Nectar Gan/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2182398/big-catch-china-corruption-watchdog-zhao-zhengyong-linked-string   Commerce Ministry Director General Dismissal Not Over Corruption. ...

Dear AP-INTACT Network members, We  hope you all have had a great start to 2019, and that you are ready to kickstart a new year of fighting corruption in your respective roles. We thank you for the pleasure of sharing news and resources with anti-corruption practitioners supporting the Asia-Pacific region over the years, and we are happy to continue facilitating this platform with your support in 2019 and the years to come. It has been a long journey since the Asia-Pacific Integrity in Action (AP-INTACT) community of practice was founded, and the fight against corruption has continued to evolve thanks to all your efforts. To ensure that what we share with this professional community remains helpful and relevant to your work, we would like to ask for your kind feedback and suggestions in a short,  2-minute survey below by Monday 28 January 2019: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q32XW6X      Many thanks for taki...

Pacific links: “You’re my best friend” https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/pacific-links-you-re-my-best-friend   FIJI: Prime Fiji ‘Has A Case To Answer’.  Magistrate Deepika Prakash has ruled that contractor Prime Fiji has a case to answer in the mat­ter brought by the Fiji Independ­ent Commission Cor­ruption (FICAC). https://fijisun.com.fj/2019/01/16/prime-fiji-has-a-case-to-answer/ Case of former Vodafone Fiji staff deferred to March.   The Against former Vodafone employee is charged with two counts of bribery and one count of obtaining financial advantage https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/court/case-of-former-vodafone-fiji-staff-deferred-to-march/ Issues raised with Fiji Code of Conduct Bill.   A proposed law in Fiji which would jail or fine people found making a malicious complaint about a public official is ridiculous and curious, a prominent Suva lawyer says. https://www.radionz.co.nz/i...

Public Consultation on the OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Guidelines for State-Owned Enterprises (Invitation to comment).   The draft text of the Anti-Corruption and Integrity Guidelines is available for the public to provide direct comments to listed contact until 31 January 2019. OECD:http://www.oecd.org/corporate/public-consultation-oecd-anti-corruption-integrity-guidelines-soes.htm   Nissan plans civil suit against Ghosn.   Nissan Motor Co. plans to file suit against former Chairman Carlos Ghosn to claim damages based on its in-house investigations which found several cases of Ghosn and his aides allegedly spending corporate funds for private purposes. The Japan News: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0005482505   Fugitive former Hainan SOE head turns himself in.   Wang Junwen, former head of state-owned enterprises in Hainan, has returned to the Chinese mainland to surrender himself to the authorities after fleeing to Ho...

China steps up anti-graft efforts.  China's top anti-graft watchdog will step up supervision efforts this year in larger departments and industries with more funding and resources, according to an official communique published after the 19th Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/china-steps-up-anti-graft-efforts   More than 1 billion USD retrieved from corruption, economic violations.  Viet Nam’s Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Police Department on Economic, Corruption-related Crimes and Smuggling retrieved nearly 27 trillion VND (1.16 billion USD) from corruption and economic violations in 2018. Vietnam+: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/more-than-1-billion-usd-retrieved-from-corruption-economic-violations/144920.vnp   Umno lawmaker claims trial to 12 counts of graft and money laundering.   Umno supreme council member Abdu...

China's anti-corruption campaign recovers $519 million in a year.  More than 1,000 Chinese fugitives who fled abroad were returned to the country last year and more than $519 million in ill-gotten gains was recovered, the ruling Communist Party said, in what it is seen as a further victory in President Xi Jinping's years-long drive against corruption. NBC News: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/china-s-anti-corruption-campaign-recovers-519-million-year-n957491   Do Anticorruption Advocates Practice What They Preach? (Blog).   Published procedures and other arrangements safeguard the organization and its staff, and to give the organization more credibility when criticizing the lack of transparency and accountability of others. Alan Doig/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/01/10/guest-post-do-anticorruption-advocates-practice-what-they-preach/   Thaksin, Prawit allies in undermining transparency (Opinion)....

Dismissal of CBI chief undermines India’s war on corruption (Analysis).   In a major setback for the probity and independence of anti-corruption bodies in India, a panel led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi sacked the chief of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Saikat Datta/Asia Times: http://www.atimes.com/article/cbi-chiefs-removal-undermines-indias-anti-corruption-efforts/   Anti-Corruption Commission Detains 4 Land Officials in Gwa Township.  The national Anti-Corruption Commission detained four local land-registration officials in Gwa Township, in southern Rakhine State’s Thandwe District, for allegedly taking bribes to facilitate land transactions. Htet Naing Zaw/The Irrawaddy: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/anti-corruption-commission-detains-4-land-officials-gwa-township.html   French investigation of IOC’s Takeda hangs over Tokyo Olympics.  “A distant relative of Japan’s royal family — t...

Pacific predictions: 2019.   A number of Pacific island countries will hold national elections this year. The peoples of Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Tuvalu, and Marshall Islands will all go to the polls in 2019. http://www.devpolicy.org/pacific-predictions-2019-20190107/   PNG: TIPNG Oppose Incentives For Cops.  Transparency International PNG is of the strong view that the police hierarchy needs to focus on the real issues affecting the force rather than paying incentives to its officers in Port Moresby. https://postcourier.com.pg/tipng-oppose-incentives-cops/ Former CNN Heavyweight Encourages Local Media to Fight Corruption in 2019.  A prominent media expert from the United States has encouraged Papua New Guinean journalists to be proactive and fearless in their fight against corruption this year. https://postcourier.com.pg/former-cnn-heavyweight-encourages-local-media-fight-corruption-2019/ PNG MP not shocked by fraud sq...

Bombs found at Indonesian anti-graft commission leaders' houses.   Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) leaders Agus Rahardjo and Laode Syarif were the target of terror threats, with unknown assailants placing what appeared to be bombs at their houses. The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/bombs-found-at-indonesian-anti-graft-commission-leaders-houses   Maldivians asked to report on possible graft of prior gov’t.  The Maldives’ government has asked citizens to report information regarding allegations of corruption and abuse of power during the tenure of the strongman leader defeated in elections last year. Bharatha Mallawarachi/The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/maldivians-asked-to-report-on-possible-graft-of-prior-govt/2019/01/09/1ddfd4b4-13da-11e9-ab79-30cd4f7926f2_story.html?utm_term=.cb0159620919   The 1MDB heist was one of the largest kleptocracy scandals in history (...

1MDB scandal: China denies it offered to bail out Malaysian fund.   Beijing has rejected a Wall Street Journal report citing minutes of meetings between Chinese and Malaysian officials, which claimed they offered to bail out scandal-ridden Malaysian state fund 1MDB and try to get the US and other countries to drop corruption probes into the fund, in return for Belt and Road infrastructure contracts. The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/09/1mdb-scandal-china-denies-it-offered-to-bail-out-malaysian-fund   NAB arrests former Gujrat DPO over graft charges. Pakistan’s National Accountability Bureau (NAB) made a key arrest of a former District Police Officer in a case related to alleged embezzlement of funds of the Gujrat Police Rs 550 million (US$4 mil) Daily Times: https://dailytimes.com.pk/342129/nab-arrests-former-gujrat-dpo-over-graft-charges/   Graft case filed against former Nepal Oil Corporation chief Khadka.   Nep...

Sandiganbayan refuses to quash graft charge vs ex-Cebu councilor.  The Philippines anti-graft court has refused to quash the graft charge filed against former Cebu City Councilor Gerardo Abella Carillo in relation to the anomalous appointment of an administrative aide from 2013 to 2014. Czarina Nicole Ong/Manila Bulletin: https://news.mb.com.ph/2019/01/07/sandiganbayan-refuses-to-quash-graft-charge-vs-ex-cebu-councilor/   2018: Five Great Reads on Corruption (Blog).  “Twenty eighteen produced many fine analyses of corruption and how to fight it.” Find out recommended titles in the link below. Rick Messick/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2019/01/02/2018-five-great-reads-on-corruption/   Leonardo DiCaprio testifies in secret US probe into Malaysian corruption.   Mr DiCaprio is not a suspect in the Department of Justice inquiry, but was said to have had “useful insights” into the M...

Corruption court issues historic guilty ruling against NKE.  In an unprecedented move, the Jakarta Corruption Court has declared publicly listed construction company PT Duta Graha Indah (DGI) – now PT Nusa Konstruksi Enjiniring (NKE) – guilty in a graft case involving several construction projects, including a state university hospital in Bali and the Jakabaring Athletes Village, upgraded for the 2018 Asian Games, in Palembang, South Sumatra. Ivany Atina Arbi/The Jakarta Post: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/01/04/corruption-court-issues-historic-guilty-ruling-against-nke.html   Mallya declared fugitive economic offender; hearing on confiscating properties on Feb 5 .  Indian liquor baron Vijay Mallya was declared a fugitive economic offender by a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, becoming the first person to be declared so under the new law. ANI: https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/mallya-decl...

Nepal's minister, bureaucrats indicted by par committee of graft in Airbus deal.   Nepal's USD 209.6-million Airbus deal, the largest ever in the country's aviation history, is turning out to be one of the biggest corruption scandals in the country as a parliamentary committee indicted a top minister and some senior bureaucrats of graft in the deal. Business Standard: https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/nepal-s-minister-bureaucrats-indicted-by-par-committee-of-graft-in-airbus-deal-119010300784_1.html   Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin orders purge of corrupt in judiciary.  The Chief Justice said he has set the anti-corruption campaign as one of the priorities in his one-year tenure in the top judicial post and vowed to “institutionalize changes that are designed to expedite the administration of justice.” Edu Punay/The Philippine Star: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2019/01/02/1881617/chief-justice-lucas-bersamin-orde...

When the world discovered the Pacific: 2018 politics review.  https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/378798/when-the-world-discovered-the-pacific-2018-politics-review   PNG: APEC corruption allegations unlikely to amount to anything – Transparency.   Transparency International is doubtful anything concrete will come of corruption allegations against the Papua New Guinea government's excesses in hosting APEC last month. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/378796/apec-corruption-allegations-unlikely-to-amount-to-anything-transparency Young political activist rises.   Hercules Jim is a youth leader and a spokesperson who advocates against corruption and fights for a free and fair Papua New Guinea where everyone will be seen and treated as equals. He is known by many in the country and the region. https://www.thenational.com.pg/young-political-activist-rises/   KIRIBATI: Victims' families of Kiribat...

Mahathir's New Year wish: Wipe out corruption.  The Malaysian PM says making country 'clean' is very important mission for his government, as the previous government collapsed due to corruption and abuse of power. The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathirs-new-year-wish-wipe-out-corruption   No let-up for corrupt ‘tigers’ in 2018 as China’s graft-busters claim more big scalps.  “…while there seems to have been no let-up in the campaign, the year’s tally does not indicate the party watchdog and prosecutors went after more senior scalps in 2018 – many of the cases prosecuted were the result of lengthy investigations carried out over previous years.” William Zheng/South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2180294/no-let-corrupt-tigers-2018-chinas-graft-busters-claim-more-big   Challenges galore for Imran (Editorial).   “Fight aga...

Former special aide of ex-Cabinet minister jailed, fined for graft.  ZailanJauhari, a former special officer to a Malaysian ex-Cabinet minister was sentenced to two years' jail and fined RM400,000 (US$96,300), in default a year's jail, by the Sessions Court here for corruption involving RM80,000 (US$19,250). The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/27/former-special-aide-of-ex-cabinet-minister-jailed-fined-for-graft/   Fury over watch scandal ruling prompts impeachment drive .  Srisuwan Janya, an activist said he would collect 20,000 signatures to bring an independent impeachment action against the five members of the Thai National Anti-Corruption Commission who voted that Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy prime minister,did nothing wrong by failing to declare 22 ultra-luxury watches. Pravit Rojanaphruk/Khaosod English: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2018/12/28/fury-over-watch-scandal-ruling-prompts-recall-drive/   Ex-Buki...

Ex-M'bishi Hitachi execs admit to bribing Thai official.   Former executives of Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Inc admitted on Tuesday to allegations of bribing a Thai public servant over a power plant project at their trial in a case under Japan's first plea bargain deal. Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1600674/ex-mbishi-hitachi-execs-admit-to-bribing-thai-official   China's ex deputy intelligence chief jailed for life over graft.  A Chinese court has jailed for life Ma Jian, a former high-ranking intelligence official, for taking bribes, coercive business deals and insider trading. Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/china-deputy-intelligence-chief-jailed-life-graft-181227084531250.html   Mongolia: Thousands protest corruption in Ulaanbaatar.  Organizers estimated nearly 25,000 Mongolians have taken to the streets to protest against corruption in the top echelons of politics, including parliamentar...