International watchdog Transparency International has called on ASEAN leaders to fight against corruption, saying rampant such cases across Southeast Asia could thwart plans for regional economic integration by the end of this year.
KUALA LUMPUR, April 25, Kyodo
International watchdog Transparency International has called on ASEAN leaders to fight against corruption, saying rampant such cases across Southeast Asia could thwart plans for regional economic integration by the end of this year.
In its report released Friday, TI said leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations should create a separate body that will be in charge of integrating “anticorruption principles” into the framework of the proposed ASEAN Economic Community.
“A regional coordinating body…is needed to fast track critical anti-corruption policy measures into its existing ASEAN Economic Community framework and the ASEAN post-2020 vision,” said the report issued ahead of a series of meetings among ASEAN leaders in Malaysia on Sunday and Monday.
“Otherwise corruption could be fuelled by increased cross-border economic activity,” it added.
Natalia Soebagjo, chairwoman of TI Indonesia, said, “Southeast Asia is home to some of the richest, fastest-growing economies, as well as some of the planet’s poorest people. Battling corruption is an integral part to sustainable growth and reducing income inequality.”
The report noted that corruption runs rampant in most ASEAN countries and that a 2013 opinion survey by TI shows that nearly half the people surveyed in ASEAN nations think corruption has increased while only one-third says their government’s anticorruption efforts have been effective.
It recommends ASEAN governments to show support toward the inclusion of anticorruption in the post-2015 ASEAN Vision and to the creation of the coordinating body that would oversee efforts against corruption.
It also urges them to commit to the establishment of a joint ministerial entity that would lead such efforts while consulting with the private sector and civil society.
The leaders of ASEAN’s 10 member states will gather for the regional meetings in Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi to discuss issues of common interests in the region and to exchange views on regional and international issues.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
TI is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with an international secretariat based in Berlin, Germany.
==Kyodo
