SEVERAL critics have complained that the anti-corruption efforts are extremely difficult to be achieved in Myanmar. It is right that to fight against the corruption is increasingly difficult for the Anti-Corruption Commission. However, it is not the task which cannot be accomplished. The Commission has already committed to reach the ultimate success by combating the corruption, which is a must for the prosperity of Myanmar.
Potentially growing reliability
As anti-corruption is fighting against traditionally rooted moral disruption in the entire Myanmar or correcting improper manner, goal cannot be achieved by suiting all the wrongdoers. Education, prevention, investigation, and prosecution are reasonably exercised for different situations. Especially, it seems to attract people’s dependency and reliability, in the future, on Corruption Prevention Unit (CPU) established in Ministries at the union level.
Formation of 32 CPUs
At present, 32 CPUs have already been formed at Union level organizations and 18 Ministries. Three missions of the CPU were determined at a CPU formation workshop, held on 19 January, 2019.
Missions of the CPU are as follows:
(a)To disclose the corrupt problems
(b)To solve the problems lawfully
(c)To perform Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) and mitigate risks
Unanimous determination
Within the previous six months, some CPUs could undertake corruption prevention efforts via those three missions. However, some CPUs are not daring enough to fulfill those missions. Perhaps, they have just little trust on prevention task. At a Second technical workshop, a three-day workshop from July 24 to 26, 2019, six agendas were unanimously set up as future work plan of all the CPUs. With the permission given by the Union Ministers and heads of the organizations, CPUs will implement the following work plan (agendas).
Six Agendas
(a) Individual CPU need to develop its own TOR to be undertaken.
(b) Departments need to develop SOP and to distribute transparently to the branches regarding to the facts which the public should have knowledge and facts which are directly relevant to the service beneficiary public
(c) Amendment of law, rules, regulations, orders and instructions with potential corruption risks are to be submitted and undertaken.
(d) Associated businesses are to be scrutinized whether ethical or not.
(e) Independent and transparent forums will be held among departmental officials and associated businesses. (If necessary, third party may participate.)
(f) CPU will fulfill service recipient public, at branches via telephone using CPU Toolkit application.
People want to know
People will expect and welcome the six agendas of CPU. It is necessary to inform and educate the public with what they should. People want to realize how government ministries, offices and organizations have developed their corresponding functions, time schedule, tax and revenue in transparent manner.
Assisting people to understand the significant notifications and provisions is smoothening the nature of the anti-corruption task.
Transparency
Some departments do not disclose what people should know. In other words, there is no transparency. For example, a notice is to be issued in advance to increase the understanding level of the public. Like, regarding to a task, what the department is going to do, how much official rate this particular department is going to pay, and how long the period will be, it is unnecessary to give bribe to anyone, etc. This will help clarify how the operation goes. By undertaking it by CPU, transparency and corruption-free can be explored officially, improving public trust towards the government departments.
Mutual negotiation
Continuous examination on associated businesses and exercising ethical matters, negotiation, discussion, seeking solution to ease the practical challenges. If necessary, third parties may be invited to the meetings to take advice.
It is encouraging for ministries, which still have not organized CPUs, to form CPUs as early as possible.
Subsequently, CPUs, branches, will contact individual people through phone using CPU Toolkit application.
People’s Expectations
By implementing the six agendas of CPUs, the three principal elements of the good governance such as transparency, responsibility and responsiveness will be fulfilled. CPUs are paving the way for the good governance.
Now it can be expected to set up CPUs in different sub-regional governments. People have been increasingly welcoming and waiting for the effective services through CPUs and the progressive achievement of CPUs.
It is estimated that the agendas of the CPUs will be implemented in October 2019. Translated by Po Po Theint
