The COVID-19 pandemic was accompanied by a global surge in corruption, and Malaysia was no exception. The Southeast Asian country saw a rapid increase in emergency public funding, reduced oversight of government operations, and restrictions on civil liberties that led to a “perfect storm” for public misconduct. These adverse effects have been compounded by an… Read More
As regulators in the European Union and North America take steps toward stronger ESG disclosure frameworks, Asian trade partner countries have launched new initiatives to prepare for the forthcoming rules. In August, the Philippines took a leap forward in this regional trend when its Securities and Exchange Commission chief Kelvin Lester K. Lee made the… Read More
In an important step for Indonesia’s first-ever private sector coalition against corruption, 450 business stakeholders and integrity professionals tuned in to hear about the initiative during Indonesia’s 2021 International Business Ethics Conference, an annual mega-seminar. The presentation revealed growing private sector interest in anti-corruption after a year where headlines were filled with numerous COVID-19 related corruption… Read More
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has made headlines by making its first charge against a private company using a new corporate anti-bribery provision. The agency is seeking a fine of RM321,350 ($79,000) from an offshore ship chartering company, Pristine Offshore Sdn Bhd, for using bribery to secure an oil exploration subcontract with Petronas Carigali Sdn… Read More
In a significant milestone to educate humanitarian aid workers on corruption risks, the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) launched a pilot anti-corruption training program in March 2021. The need for innovative approaches to address corruption in humanitarian aid has been crystal clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transparency International’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Centres, operating… Read More
As Indonesia celebrates 75 years of independence, local businesses are rallying behind the newly launched Private Sector Collective Action Coalition Against Corruption (CAC Indonesia) to combat corporate bribery. With 25 founding member companies, the new coalition launched in August, the same month as the national holiday. Though the CAC formally began operations in August,… Read More