Thein Sein Admits Corruption, Bribery Are ‘Chronic’ in Burma

[DagonKhan]

RANGOON — Burmese President Thein Sein has said that corruption and bribery are still “chronic” in the country and must be addressed by a change in attitude among government officials.

Burmese President Thein Sein (left) speaks during a quarterly meeting of senior government officials
in Naypyidaw. (Photo: President’s Office website)

The remarks were made during a speech at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw during a quarterly meeting of senior government officials on Wednesday, according to a transcript published on the official website of the President’s Office.

“Chronic bribery and corruption are still happening in the civil service,” the president said, according to the account of the meeting.

Continues here:- http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/thein-sein-admits-corruption-bribery-chronic-burma.html

[SeaVisionBurma]

Good to see this being addressed by the top man - will be interesting to see if this has any impact in the future.

I noticed the last paragraph in the article stating that Myanmar has 'risen in corruption rankings' - wonder if they meant to say 'improved' instead?

[DagonKhan]

Well spotted! I haven't seen any improvement at all. In fact just a couple of weeks ago we had a tax officer who was far more aggressive than usual and wanted substantially more 'tea money' than we normally have to cough up. I have no idea why we bother with audited accounts, they just do what they want anyway.

[DagonKhan]

Politicians, activists criticise Thein Sein’s address on corruption

Burmese President Thein Sein urged officials on Wednesday to eliminate the endemic corruption that plagues the country’s civic sector during the remainder of his presidential term, state-run media reported this week.

According to Mynama Ahlin on Thursday, Thein Sein called for an end to “chronic bribery and corruption in the civil service sector” during his opening address to representatives of the union government at a quarterly meeting in Naypyidaw.

According to a UN-commissioned survey, corruption is a top concern for businesses and foreign investors in Burma, with over 20 percent of 3,000 firms surveyed saying that corruption is a “very severe obstacle” to their operations. About half of the firms said that they paid $500 in extra “facilitation fees”, while a dozen said extra fees exceeded $10,000.

Continues here:- https://www.dvb.no/news/politicians-activists-criticise-thein-seins-address-on-corruption-burma-myanmar/43453

[ggt]

This is huge...acknowledging the problem is the first step toward finding a solution...

The military has taken positive steps in Thailand to reduce corruption...very encouraging...bodes well for Thailand's future...IMO

[DagonKhan]

Do you think the entire Nation stupid? Edited August 25, 2014 by DagonKhan

[Katipo]

The ex-generals have already divided up the land among themselves and so they and their families will never have any of the financial woes of the other 99%.

Easy to say 'we must tackle corruption' after the fact.

[SeaVisionBurma]

Inflammatory post removed.

[DagonKhan]

The ex-generals have already divided up the land among themselves and so they and their families will never have any of the financial woes of the other 99%.

Easy to say 'we must tackle corruption' after the fact.

http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/property-news/11464-large-extension-for-yangon-on-the-table.html