Tech was employed to eradicate corruption in SE Asia
PUBLISHED: 15 Jun 2024 at 04: 00
At a recent international conference in Bangkok, legal experts and academics claimed that Southeast Asia has become a significant example of public efforts to combat corruption.
On June 7, the” Anti- Fraud Innovations in Southeast Asia” conference was held to discuss and learn ideas for several initiatives aimed at promoting dignity and good local management.
According to the authorities, one way to accomplish this is by giving the people the power to fight corruption.
Participants at the conference claimed that technology and public-facing initiatives, including digital platforms to monitor government spending and citizens ‘ ability to report illegal activity, have a significant impact on the fight against corruption in the area.
Southeast Asia, which aims to create a problem- completely society where integrity and openness are regular practices, was experiencing a amazing surge in for initiatives, they said.
Prof. Matthew C. Stephenson of Harvard Law School said it is crucial to create a well-rounded source of support for anti-corruption while encouraging the people to attend and report suspicious activities and imposing a culture of integrity.
Prof. Stephenson, a professional in the social economics of public regulation and anti-corruption law, claimed that the immediate need to promote economic growth and social development in Southeast Asia was driving the efforts there.
He said that Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines use group- driven measures to maintain stringent rules to eliminate corruption.
He said the Malaysian Anti- Fraud Commission used advanced technology, such as blockchain and unnatural intelligence, to monitor financial dealings and find anomalies.
The efforts led to significant, high- profile arrests and a gradual improvement in public trust, he said.
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Indonesia and the Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines both have strong procedures and consistent enforcement to investigate and prosecute dishonest officials despite having numerous challenges and a lack of public confidence.
According to Prof. Stephenson, corruption would be eradicated if stakeholders were actively engaged in the fight against it and the community.
The Southeast Asian region has a long history of corruption, according to Annica Wythes, team leader of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime’s Anti-Corruption Hub for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, which has had a significant impact on both business and politics.
Ms. Wythes emphasized at the conference how crucial it is to promote international cooperation by removing legal and operational obstacles and ensuring consistency in collaboration procedures.