Thailand targets narco millions / Combating public, private corruption vital to stop smuggling / Vote buying threatens to undermine year-end elections
Thailand targets narco millions hidden in gold, steel and crypto. “On Friday (26 June), Thai authorities were set to burn seized drugs worth $1.7 billion -- another batch worth $800 million was incinerated in Myanmar -- during an annual parade of law enforcement successes across the region. But the record amounts are just a sliver of the money on the table for Asia's meth lords, who emerge from drug crackdowns by raising production and piercing borders with corruption. UNODC estimates they are making $30-$60 billion a year and are the biggest meth producers in the world.”
Bangkok Post: https://www.bangkokpost.com/world/1941520/thailand-targets-narco-millions-hidden-in-gold-steel-and-crypto
Former TI-M chief: Combating public, private corruption vital to stop smuggling. “Smuggling activities in Malaysia were enabled by corruption in both the public and private sectors, said former Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Seri Akhbar Satar. He said such smuggling included contraband such as drugs, cigarettes, counterfeit products and even people were enabled by corruption funded by illegal proceeds.”
Vote buying threatens to undermine year-end elections: KPK. “The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and the Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) have warned about potential vote buying in the upcoming simultaneous regional elections, which the government insists on holding on Dec. 9 despite the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic. The two agencies are worried that candidates may woo voters, especially those who are suffering from financial hardship as a result of the epidemic, by offering money or daily supplies.”