ACB renews its pledge to rid Brunei of corruption

THE Anti-Corruption Bureau has restated its commitment to redouble efforts in combating graft and is aiming to make the sultanate as the least corrupt country in the world.

During a special press conference chaired by the Director of the Anti Corruption Bureau, Pengiran Kasmirhan Pg Hj Tahir and accompanied by senior members of the Bureau, the Director spelled out the steps the Bureau will be taking in its fight against corruption as well as calling on the media and public to fulfil their roles.

He also recognised the difficulty in stamping out dubious acts of crime but stated that the Bureau "will be able to control and keep in check corruption and put Brunei on the map as the least corrupt country in the world".





The Director also said that the Bureau was working closely with Transparency International in an attempt to put Brunei on the Global Corruption Barometer index as a better gauge of the sultanate's performance against graft. "The ranking is a survey of surveys, and to be put on the ranking there needs to be at least three surveys conducted, so far the only survey conducted including Brunei is the one done by the World Bank," said Pengiran Kasmirhan.

Despite receiving plaudits and being recognised as nation relatively free of corruption, the Director also reiterated that the Bureau will continue its endeavours to nip graft in the bud and not rest on its laurels. Last year 76 investigations were carried out, with 62 concluded, of those 23 were referred to the Attorney General and other government agencies and a further two yielding stiff warnings, which are signed by individual who face stiff penalties if caught breaching the law.

Meanwhile, the feasibility study on the inception of an Integrity and Good Governance Centre as reported by The Brunei Times in December is currently ongoing with the centre of excellence aimed at raising the bar of integrity amongst the civil service.

While it is yet to be determined when the study will conclude, the officials at yesterday's press conference said that the public servants will be able to learn more about good governance, best practices and the importance of being efficient.

In particular by making the civil service as efficient as it can possibly be, it would close the door on loopholes and lessen the opportunity for bribery to take place.

The Brunei Times