Government
Anti-corruption
When selling is more lucrative than protecting: Myanma timber enterprise and the deforestation crisis
For years, Myanmar’s state-owned timber giant has been subject to accusations of corruption and shadowy closed-door dealings. Environmental advocacy groups have long blamed Myanmar Timber Enterprise for operating its industry monopoly without transparency. On November 15, their allegations appeared to gain newfound teeth, substantiated by ...
Govt fights corruption, vows to cut excess
The government has instructed its anti-corruption body to work out necessary measures and carry out inspection to fight against corruption in all forms. The instruction was made at the two-day meeting between the government cabinet, Vientiane Mayor and provincial governors that concluded on December 14 in ...
Minister faces music on sand
Mines Minister Suy Sem could not give parliament’s anti-corruption commission an acceptable explanation for why Cambodian customs data failed to note $750 million in sand exports that Singapore says it received, the committee’s chairman said after a hearing on December 15. Sem was called in ...
CPP passes 2017 budget
The 2017 national budget, with more than $5 billion in expenditures, was passed by the Senate on December 5 without any changes despite opposition from the CNRP. Expenditures in the 2017 budget are up 15.6 percent compared with 2016 and include more than $1 billion in foreign ...
Malaysia silences 1MDB whistleblower in blow to rights
A chorus of international outrage was struck immediately after the sentencing of opposition politician Rafizi Ramli for disclosing part of the Auditor General’s report into the 1MDB corruption scandal, which has severely damaged Malaysia’s reputation in business and politics. London based Amnesty International immediately called ...
Fifty officials sanctioned for corruption in Saravan
Fifty provincial authorities in southern Saravan province under investigation by inspection authorities have been found to have been receiving bribes over the past five years. The Provincial Committee of the State and Party Inspection, Mr Khamchan Chemsamone reported at the third meeting on work inspection ...
PM vows zero tolerance of financial misconduct
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the National Assembly this week that the ongoing violations of financial regulations by various state departments must be addressed and those found guilty punished. The premier was responding to questions raised by members of parliament concerning possible solutions to the ...
China works with Asean countries for return of corrupt officials
China and ASEAN countries will set up a regional anti-corruption legal framework to facilitate the return of corrupt Chinese officials who are still at large in ASEAN countries and confiscate their ill-gotten assets, a senior anti-graft official said. China is in advanced negotiations with some ASEAN ...
Vietnam among top places for business expansion in Southeast Asia: survey
With competitive labor cost, the country only comes after Singapore in terms of attractiveness. In the Southeast Asia region, Singapore tops the list of most favorable expansion destinations for Asian companies, with 32 percent of respondents saying they will invest more, followed by Vietnam, according ...
Foreign ministry formalizes public service fees
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a new public services office and formalized fees for a broad group of services often used by foreigners as part of a wider government push to collect revenue and boost efficiency. Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhon issued a statement ...
