ATHENS — Greece’s parliament on Thursday voted to revise several articles in the country’s constitution, aiming to facilitate the prosecution of corrupt politicians, the prime minister’s office said. The changes must be reconfirmed by parliament after the next election, which is scheduled by October. Lawmakers agreed to amend safeguards shielding ministers and MPs from prosecution, which has proved a major stumbling block in pursuing several high-profile graft cases dating back to the early 2000s. Judicial officials are currently investigating alleged kickbacks to conservative and socialist ex-ministers from Swiss pharma multinational Novartis and German engineering giant Siemens. A 2003 case linked to bribes allegedly paid for a navy frigate upgrade is also under investigation. Specific changes to the constitution articles are still under debate and another vote is to be held next month. Thursday’s … [Read more...] about Greece revises constitution to fight corrupt politicians
Fighting corruption essay
Malaysia unveils five-year plan to fight corruption
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mahamad (Source: The Straits Times) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia on January 29 announced a five-year plan to intensify control over corruption in Government agencies after a multi-billion-USD graft scandal brought down the previous administration. The plan, launched by Prime Minister Mahathir Mahamad, will include changes to the appointment process for key posts, require lawmakers and ministers to publicly declare their assets, and introduce new laws to regulate political funding and lobbying. Mahathir said Malaysia needs all kinds of strategies, laws and restrictions to curb corruption. This plan is a strong statement from the current government that it will track down and prosecute past offenders, while current and future offenders will be facing harsher action, he stated in a speech to launch the new approach to graft combat. The plan's measures will target the government's procurement process, law enforcement, judiciary, politics and … [Read more...] about Malaysia unveils five-year plan to fight corruption
Fighting corruption an arduous, long-term work: Party leader
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nguyen Phu Trong speak at the meeting (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption held its 14th meeting in Hanoi on August 16 to review its performance so far this year, as well as its general progress since its establishment five years ago. The meeting took place under the chair of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee (CPVCC) Nguyen Phu Trong, who also leads the committee. Phan Dinh Trac, head of the CPVCC’s Commission for Internal Affairs, reported that over the last five years, the committee has directed the accelerated settlement of serious corruption cases, as well as put some complex cases under its direct supervision with the principle of “no zones off limits and no persons exempted, regardless of who they are.” Among the severe and complicated corruption and economic cases under its supervision, 40 cases … [Read more...] about Fighting corruption an arduous, long-term work: Party leader
School of law launches anti-corruption master training program
VietNamNet Bridge - While the heads of the Hanoi National University (HNU) and the School of Law, one of its member schools, affirm the importance of the anti-corruption training program, state officials are still concerned about the curriculum and job prospects of graduates. From 2018, the School of Law will begin organizing the training program of masters of law in public administration and anti-corruption. This is the first training program of this kind in Vietnam. It is designed to train professionals with knowledge in state governance and corruption prevention, such as embezzlement prevention and fighting for social and international organizations, businesses, academic institutions and media organizations. Nguyen Dinh Duc, head of the HNU’s Training Division, said Vietnam needs to intensify the work of preventing and fighting against corruption, because corruption is hindrance to the society’s development. This is the first training program of this kind in … [Read more...] about School of law launches anti-corruption master training program
VFF’s role in fighting corruption, wastefulness discussed
Delegates at the event (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on August 6 to discuss its involvement in the fight against corruption and wastefulness. In his opening speech, President of the VFF Central Committee Tran Thanh Man said over the past years, the VFF chapters at all levels have improved the capacity of giving feedback on social issues, contributing to fine-tuning mechanisms and laws on corruption prevention and control. They actively joined supervision schemes, focusing on sensitive issues and urged authorities to deal with complaints and denunciations. The VFF has built a mechanism and launched a process on receiving and handling letters of complaint regarding corruption, wastefulness, political and moral degradation, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation” behaviors among Party members and officials. Secretary of the HCM … [Read more...] about VFF’s role in fighting corruption, wastefulness discussed
Public trust Party, State’s resolve in fighting corruption
At the appeal trial on the case on "asset embezzlement” and “deliberately violating State regulations on economic management, causing severe consequences” at PetroVietnam Construction JSC (Source: VNA) – The public have expressed their trust in the resolve of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the State to fight corruption ahead of the national conference on corruption prevention and fight scheduled for June 25. Nguyen Tuc, member of the Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, highlighted remarkable changes in the anti-corruption work after the 12th Party Central Committee adopted the Resolution on Party building at its 4th plenum. The changes can be seen most clearly in the revelation and trial of many corruption cases, with many high-ranking officials brought to court for their law violations. However, those are only initial outcomes, Tuc said, stressing that besides fighting corruption, it is necessary to revise existing … [Read more...] about Public trust Party, State’s resolve in fighting corruption
Voters satisfied with anti-corruption outcomes
Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong meets with voters in Ba Dinh and Hoan Kiem districts (Source: VNA) Tran Quoc Hoan, a voter in Ba Dinh district, said he is delighted with achievements the country has recorded in socio-economic development and external affairs, helping improve the country’s role and position in the international arena. He said serious corruption cases brought to light over the past time have demonstrated the Party’s drastic actions against corruption and other bad deeds. Hoan also applauded outcomes of the seventh plenary session of the 12-tenure Party Central Committee Central Committee, which took place from May 7th-12th, with three important resolutions approved. He described the ideological, ethical and lifestyle degradation as a disease that has appeared for a long time and been identified as a threat to the existence of the Party and the regime. The disease must be prevented, he said, citing cases involving Trinh Xuan Thanh and other high-ranking … [Read more...] about Voters satisfied with anti-corruption outcomes
Vietnam to crack down on day-to-day corruption in 2018: Party chief
Vietnam's Communist Party will step up its fight against corruption this year to weed out violations committed at a local level, according to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Trong, who also chairs the Central Steering Committee on Anti-Corruption, discussed plans for 2018 and reviewed the progress made in 2017 as the committee convened for its 13th session on Monday. The committee concluded that its efforts last year had left no "off-limits zones" in the fight against corruption, and had transformed itself into a more effective, professional and responsible organization. "What we accomplished was very clear and widely supported by the people. The fight against corruption has become a movement that has created a good impression and reinforced public trust," Trong said. Throughout the year, new regulations regarding inspections, management and the appointment and transfer of officials were issued to help prevent and tackle violations. The committee also stepped up … [Read more...] about Vietnam to crack down on day-to-day corruption in 2018: Party chief
Grass-root anti-corruption initiatives receive awards
A total of 34 proposals for anti-corruption initiatives were awarded with a combined VND9.2 billion, as part of an effort to fight against corruption in Vietnam at the grassroots level. VACI 2011 awards ceremony The awards were given out by the Vietnam Anti-Corruption Initiatives (VACI) 2011 programme, which was launched in December 2010.The World Bank in Vietnam, in coordination with the Vietnamese Government Inspectorate, initiated the VACI 2011 programme.Among the 160 applicants to the programme, 60 were short-listed for the final round, which opened on August 16 in Hanoi.After two days of deliberation, the jury picked 34 outstanding proposals for the awards, given out on August 17. Each winning proposal was granted up to VND290 million.Among the winners, the proposals that got the most attention was one that would help to get rid of bribery in hospitals, another that would promote responsibility and transparency among … [Read more...] about Grass-root anti-corruption initiatives receive awards
Vietnam, France shake hands in combating corruption
At talks between Government Inspector General Le Minh Khai and head of the French Anti-Corruption Agency Charles Duchaine the same day, the two sides shared their experience in anti-corruption as well as their plan for the future. Government Inspector General Le Minh Khai said that the cooperation between the two agencies aims to strengthen their coordination to combat corruption in the principles of equality, friendship and mutual benefit and in accordance with laws and practices of each country as well as international law. The MoU lays a foundation for the bilateral affiliation between the two sides, allowing them to foster coordination and the sharing of information and professional documents as well as experience. At the same time, the two sides will jointly organise forums and conferences on anti-corruption, and exchange experience in raising public awareness of fighting corruption and encourage their engagement in the work. For his part, Duchaine said that the deal helps bolster … [Read more...] about Vietnam, France shake hands in combating corruption