Wed, 26 July 2023

        The Anti-Corruption Commission held a coordination meeting regarding the operations of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU) in the Union Ministries/ Organizations and Regional/State Governments. The meeting took place at the meeting hall of the Commission Office in a Hybrid Format on 25th July 2023. It was attended by Chairman Dr. Htay Aung, followed by the Commission Secretary, Commissioners, and representatives from the Union Ministries/Organizations and Regional/State Governments responsible for the respective units.

        In the opening speech, Commissioner Dr. Htay Aung highlighted Myanmar’s membership in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) since 2005. He mentioned that the country’s anti-corruption law was enacted in 2013 and has been amended 4 times until 2018. Currently, the law is under review to align it with international standards.

As corruption takes various forms, countries worldwide are engaging in prevention and investigation efforts to combat it. Dr. Htay Aung emphasized the need for all individuals, including public employees and the private sector, to understand the detrimental effects of corruption, including money laundering, violence, and inflation.

The Chairman mentioned that the Commission collaborates with international organizations to fight against corruption. However, he emphasized that it’s not enough to rely only on investigations and enforcement. There is a necessity to build a societal framework that despises corruption, which includes increasing awareness about prevention. To achieve this, the Commission is partnering with the Ministry of Education to educate the youth sector and conducting awareness activities in the economic sector in collaboration with the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).

Dr. Htay Aung underlined the importance of being corruption-free society to successfully implement the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goal 16.5 focuses on significantly reducing corruption and bribery in various forms and highlights prevention as a critical aspect of fight against corruption. He mentioned that appropriate programs are being developed to involve people actively in the anti-corruption process.

The definition of corruption varies based on cultural traditions in different countries. Corruption, once associated with bribes, has evolved into numerous modern forms and can be perpetrated by individuals in positions of authority as well as those offering or accepting bribes. Eradicating corruption quickly is challenging, but gradual reduction through collective efforts is essential. Anti-corruption is a long-term process, requiring Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) in every sector and the establishment and enforcement of ethics across all domains. Corruption negatively impacts the efficiency of human resources and the allocation of a country's finances and natural resources.

Overall, the speech emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to combat corruption and the significance of prevention, education, and collaboration with international partners to build a corruption-free society.

The Corruption Prevention Unit (CPU) has been established to combat internal corruption, and it is crucial to ensure the effective execution of its tasks. The Commission Chairman emphasized the significance of people’s feedback on the quality of services provided by sectors serving the public. In this regard, the Public Feedback Program - PFP is being implemented to involve the public in enhancing service provision.

The CPUs act as representatives of their respective departments and hold the responsibility of minimizing corruption within their ranks. They must adopt a principled and unwavering approach, taking personal accountability for their actions. The Chairman also recommended the firm implementation of anti-corruption policies to fulfill the duties of the CPU effectively. 

Afterward, the Secretary of the Commission reviewed and discussed the activities of the CPUs, while Commissioner U Maung Maung Tint provided insights into the utilization of the Public Feedback Program - PFP. The responsible persons from Union Ministries/Organizations and Regional/State Governments shared their experiences, advantages, disadvantages and challenges encountered while operating Corruption Prevention Units within their department. They discussed the advantages and weaknesses identified during the review process, and finally, the Chairman of the Commission delivered the closing speech.

U Tin Swe Win, the Secretary of the Anti-Corruption Commission, presented a discussion on the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)

U Maung Maung Tint, a member of the Anti-Corruption Commission and Leader of the Awareness and Public Relations Committee, reviewed and discussed the utilization of the Public Feedback Program (PFP)

Representative from the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation presented the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU).

Representative from the Supreme Court of Myanmar discussed on the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)

Representative from the Union Election Commission (UEC) explained the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)

Representative from the Ministry of the Union Government Office made a presentation on the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)

Representative from the Government of Chin State explained the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)

Representative from the Government of Tanintharyi Region Region discussed on the activities of the Corruption Prevention Units (CPU)