Govt attempts to stem rising tide of corruption

The problem of non-transparency and corruption among government agencies along with other issues related to graft persists, despite regular inspections and monitoring by authorities.
In a bid to end malpractice, the government has been raising awareness of the need for greater integrity on the part of civil servants, as well for more transparency. 
Vice President of the Government Inspection Authority and Deputy Head of the Anti-Corruption Authority, Mr Sinay Mienglavanh, addressed the subject during an event held in Vientiane yesterday to mark International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9.
In 2019, officials from the Anti-Corruption Authority monitored 945 targets and conducted in-depth investigations of corruption by 70 people. Some

196 people were found to be offenders and investigations were carried out into the activities of 18 fraudsters.
Out of a total of 464 people, cases involving 380 people in the state administrative sector were resolved, 84 people were prosecuted, 62 people were sent to court, and 34 people were convicted.
Last year, the Anti-Corruption Authority received 1,038 complaints concerning transparency.
A total of 226 complaints were resolved, 104 complaints were shelved, and 249 others were investigated.
The Anti-Corruption Authority has placed a strong focus on transparency, as this is considered to be a key indicator of the progress made in combatting corruption.
Also speaking at the event, Resident AML/CFT Advisor to the Mekong for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr Chris Batt, said “Reports have been received from around the world of criminals taking advantage of the pandemic, of patients having to pay increased costs just to be treated in hospitals for Covid-19; that hospitals have “invented” patients, ghost patients, to defraud health insurance companies; that businesses have applied for financial support from governments which they did not need or were not entitled to; and that grants, personal protective equipment and other benefits have not reached the intended target groups.”
Corruption and fraud undermine governments’ attempts to deal with and manage a crisis like Covid-19, he added. President of the Institute for Legal Support and Technical Assistance, Mr Richard Philippart, said “Corruption is a complex matter, often used as a keyword around the world and applied to a great variety of situations, but often people don’t know or understand what corruption entails.”
“There are several forms of corruption. For sure, it’s not easy to prevent and fight corruption in a developing country when wages are relatively low and the cost of living and supporting families is steadily rising,” he added.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update December 29, 2020)