Corruption watchdog needs to use its teeth, MP says
Play
The Anti-Corruption Commission must be completely independent and start doing what it was set up to do - uncover corruption and take action against anyone involved in corruption, no matter who they are, Upper House MP Hla Swe said.
Commission members must investigate bribery and corruption cases thoroughly and avoid bias, he said, adding that just because they were appointed by the president does not mean they should show favouritism.
“Regional budget spending must be carefully checked. Inspecting the Myanmar Peace Centre will be very confusing, but we should check it because it is an organisation operating in Myanmar,” said Hla Swe.
“Inter-departmental checks will not work. For example, the construction ministry will not publicise any wrongdoing if an inspection is carried out internally. That’s why the Anti-Corruption Commission needs to be reliable. But we have seen no action. The commission seems to have no authority,” the MP added.
He pointed to one corruption case, saying a ministry had purchased a boiler from China at three times the actual price. “Who will investigate such cases? If we can to do this, the state can save funds,” Hla Swe added.
A bill amending the Anti-Corruption Law was approved during the last session of Parliament.
The 15-member Anti-Corruption Commission was formed on February 25 by order of President Thein Sein. Its members are retired civil servants and military officers. Mya Win, a retired military officer, is chairman and Tin Oo, a former ambassador, is the commission’s secretary.
The Upper House’s public complaints committee has received thousands of complaints about alleged bribery and corruption.
Over 8,000 out of 10,000 complaints are mostly related to the courts. As a result, Lower House MP Thein Nyunt has called on the commission to investigate the salaries and assets of judges and take action against any misconduct uncovered.
During a Cabinet meeting on June 10, President Thein Sein urged the commission to act independently in investigating bribery and corruption cases.
Despite his statements, Thein Sein’s government has faced intense criticism that it is riddled with corruption and is too weak to combat it.
President Thein Sein vowed to fight the corruption plaguing government ministries at the ceremony in which he took an oath of allegiance on March 31, 2011.
Myanmar ranks 157 out of 177 countries in the 2013 Corruption Perception Index compiled by Transparency International.
