May all of you-- the President, Union-level officials, government departmental heads, diplomats, officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other international organizations, NGOs working for anti-corruption, and guests who participate in today’s ceremony marking the International Anti-Corruption Day-- have good health and prosperity.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Myanmar, like other convention member countries, is proud to be able to celebrate International Anti-Corruption Day via online. While we are working hard to develop our country into a stable, peaceful, and modern Democratic Federal Union, while we are conducting national reform by using collaborative citizens-based approaches, it is also important to resolve the problem of corruption, which has been entrenched for many years. So, Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the Anti-Corruption Law on 7 August 2013, and approved the formation of an Anti-Corruption Commission on 25 February 2014.
For the fourth time, Hluttaw could approve laws amending the Anti-Corruption Law to make anti-corruption works more effective and more widespread. Because of the laws, the commission can take punitive actions against both bribe-takers and bribe-givers. The laws can protect public funds, initiate business ethics to prevent corruptions in public and private businesses, help arrange anti-corruption lessons starting from the primary education level, and pave the way for the implementation of a long-term strategic plan to fight corruption throughout Myanmar.
The Anti-Corruption Commission submitted its annual reports to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, where MPs made discussions in order to inform the public about anti-corruption activities. MPs are cooperating to the best of their ability in the anti-corruption actions. Corruption is a fundamental problem that can destroy many countries today. In the fight against corruption, many people mistakenly think that taking bribes is the only form of corruption. In fact, there are four types of Agati: Chanda, dosa, moha, and bhaya.
On behalf of the legislative pillar, I would like to acknowledge the commission’s efforts to raise awareness on anti-corruption, to prevent corruption and to take actions against those who committed corruption. Union-level and regional level government organizations need to constantly review relevant policies, laws, by-laws, regulations and procedures, and Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) should be effectively conducted by all levels of officials.
By working together in combatting corruption, we can create a corruption-free culture and a society governed by the rule of law. Sixteen out of the 17 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the UN (2030) highlighted the importance of anti-corruption.
For the sustainable development of our country, all people of Myanmar must participate in basic anti-corruption activities such as making the societies peaceful and all-inclusive, bringing about justice and promoting accountability and transparency at every level.
In conclusion, starting from this ceremony marking the International Anti-Corruption Day (2020), in accordance with the Myanmar Anti-Corruption Commission’s motto “Eliminate Corruption to Create a Peaceful Country”, we would like to call upon public servants, civil servants, businesses, civil society organizations, media and all the people of Myanmar to collaboratively work to eradicate corruption and build a corruption-free society for the peaceful development of the motherland.
Translated by Maung Maung Swe
#The Global New Light Of Myanmar