AP-INTACT

1MDB to be included in schools' history syllabus: Malaysia's Education Minister.   “ "I will make sure that 1MDB and how some leaders robbed the nation will be included in the history books so that future generations will not make the same mistake," said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik. The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/1mdb-to-be-included-in-schools-history-syllabus-malaysias-education-minister   Chief at Alibaba video site Youku steps down amid corruption probe.  The president of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd’s video streaming service, Youku, has abruptly stepped down amid a wider Alibaba executives reshuffle, and is believed to be talking to Chinese authorities as part of a potential corruption case, the company said. Cate Cadell/Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-facebook-sandberg/facebook-board-backs-sandbergs-request-to-initiate-research-into-soros-idUSKBN1O42LB   Mongolia’s...

Good governance is the key to sustainability (Opinion).  “Investors, whether purchasers of equity or lenders, will not invest in a market or a company they view as unstable, corrupt, or utterly lacking basic protections for their investment and contractual rights.” Dinesh Weerakkody/Daily FT: http://www.ft.lk/dinesh-weerakkody/Good-governance-is-the-key-to-sustainability/5-667848   Dr M: Cashless society can cut down corruption.  "Cash can be used to bribe. In a cashless society, we can record the transactions and we will know those who give and those who receive bribes," says Dr Mahathir at the launching of an unlimited travel pass using MyKad for public rail and bus users, an initiative by the Transport Ministry. Zakiah Koya/The Star: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/12/01/dr-m-cashless-society-can-cut-down-corruption/   Ex-Bangladesh PM barred from contesting this month's election.  Bangladesh's former ...

Myanmar Should Adopt Formal User Fees To Displace Petty Bribery (Blog).   “In short, the proposal is to formalize some of the currently unregulated payments for government services, through the imposition of pre-identified and pre-determined “user fees,” coupled with special provisions to ensure access for the very poorest.” Heesu Chung/The Global Anticorruption Blog: https://globalanticorruptionblog.com/2018/11/30/myanmar-should-adopt-formal-user-fees-to-displace-petty-bribery/   Ex-US justice official pleads guilty in 1MDB lobbying scandal.  George Higginbotham, 46, a former US Department of Justice official has pleaded guilty to banking violations as part of an attempt to lobby Washington to drop an investigation into a money laundering and bribery scheme that pilfered billions from Malaysia's 1MDB investment fund. Aljazeera:  https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/justice-official-pleads-guilty-1mdb-lobbying-scandal-18120...

Fighting land corruption in Sri lanka (Blog).  “The legal element has tended to be missing from social accountability projects, but by bridging social mobilisation, legal advice and the political process, TI Sri Lanka is working towards a future where people like Sivarasa are given access to their rights, and their land.” Transparency International: https://voices.transparency.org/fighting-land-corruption-in-sri-lanka-871a54709a2b   Ex-Interpol chief facing corruption charges is expelled from Chinese government advisory body.  Meng Hongwei’s membership was revoked by The National Committee for the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) which consists of 2,000 delegates including celebrities and big corporate chiefs. South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/2175792/ex-interpol-chief-facing-corruption-charges-expelled-chinese   'It's About Right and Wrong.' In Con...

Nauru, PNG, Fiji criticised for obstructing freedom.  Civic freedoms in three Pacific nations are under threat, according to the international watchdog group, Civicus. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376935/nauru-png-fiji-criticised-for-obstructing-freedom   PAPUA NEW GUINEA: PNG PM told to stand down over corruption allegations.  Papua New Guinea's prime minister, Peter O'Neill, has been called upon to stand down and allow an inquiry into allegations of personal and corporate impropriety. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/376940/png-pm-told-to-stand-down-over-corruption-allegations PNG fraud squad begins Bougainville investigations.  The police team was invited by the Bougainville President John Momis after revelations of a massive fraud involving the autonomous government's payroll, along with the misappropriation of millions of kina of disaster funds. https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news...

Asia rising: the next frontier for open contracting (Blog).   “ Big things are happening to open up public contracting in Asia and the Pacific. Here’s a quick regional tour, hot off the heels of the recent Open Government Partnership regional meeting in Seoul this month.” Open Contracting Partnership, UNDP and Hivos: https://www.open-contracting.org/2018/11/26/asia-rising-the-next-frontier-for-open-contracting/   Indonesian election: with nod to Malaysia’s 1MDB, Prabowo makes corruption pledge.  Indonesian presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto is confident he can bring about the change that citizens desire and run a clean government that will still be business-friendly while improving the lives of ordinary people. Kok Xing Hui/The Star Online: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/regional/2018/11/29/indonesian-election-with-nod-to-malaysias-1mdb-prabowo-makes-corruption-pledge/   The Ghosn Effect on Corporate Governanc...

Singapore probes website which exposed top-level government corruption.  TheOnline Citizen (TOC), a Singapore political website which carries news articles and comments critical of the government, has suspended publication after police it is being investigated for possible “criminal defamation” over an article alleging corruption among the city-state’s top leaders. AFP/Politiko: http://politics.com.ph/singapore-probes-website-which-exposed-top-level-government-corruption/   Ex-Hong Kong minister Patrick Ho’s US$2.9 million corruption trial opens, as defence calls it a ‘bribery case with no bribes’.  “In addition to arguing that the sums Ho had given to various African officials on behalf of a Chinese energy giant were donations rather than bribes, the defence said that key prosecution witness Cheikh Gadio was testifying against Ho because he planned to run for president in Senegal.” Emma Kazaryan/Yahoo News...