Laos marks World Anti-corruption Day
 
Vientiane Time/Asia News Network, Dec 03, 2009
 
The government of Laos will seek cooperation from the media in its
anti-corruption efforts, a top government official announced on
Tuesday.
 
Addressing a gathering to mark International Day against Corruption at
the National Culture Hall in Vientiane , Deputy Prime Minister Asang
Laoly said the government would enable the media and the public to
report on incidents of corruption .
 
It is hoped the possibility of public revelations will deter
government officials from becoming involved in corruption, with the
fear of exposure on TV and radio and in newspapers making public
servants think twice before flouting the rules. Many countries find
the media a useful partner in keeping corruption at bay.
 
The government will also adopt measures to protect and thank good
citizens who participate in preventing and combating corruption, Mr
Asang said.
 
Vientiane Mayor Sombath Yealiher, representatives of United Nations
agencies and other international organisations and several hundred
government officials attended the event.
 
Mr Asang, who is also President of the Government Inspection
Authority, said the government will continue to incorporate anti-
corruption teaching at educational institutions and the National
Academy of Politics and Public Administration.
 
This aims to help educate the general public and government officials
so they can be honest in performing their duties, he said.
 
The government will continue to improve institutional arrangements on
anti-corruption through subsidiary bodies and will develop a national
anti-corruption strategy to strengthen necessary norms and implement
anti-corruption projects.
 
Other efforts will include increasing government efforts to reduce
poverty and improving living conditions for people, especially
government officials, so they will not seek bribes.
 
The government intends to take strict measures against offenders
through educational and administrative disciplining and prosecution
according to the law.
 
Mr Asang said the government will continue to work with international
organisations through regional and bilateral cooperation to prevent
and combat corruption.
 
Corruption was an undesirable activity that occurred worldwide, he
said, adding that the Party and government clearly understood that
corruption impacts on national development and people's living
conditions. It could lower people's trust and confidence in state
administration.
 
Anti-corruption policies are among the government's priorities and
must be continuously implemented, he said, adding that measures to
combat corruption require the involvement of the public .
 
H e said Laos had taken many steps such as the adoption of laws
including the Law on Anti Corruption, Law on State Inspection, Law on
Complaints and State Audit, and Law on State Accounting.
 
Laos has also ratified the UN Convention against Corruption. All these
affirmative actions reflect the close attention of the Lao government
to prevent and combat corruption through setting up the necessary
legal frameworks.
 
UNDP Resident Representative a.i., Mr Stephane Vigie, said he
appreciated the government's ratification of the UN Convention against
Corruption, saying this represented a crucial step towards combating
the devastating effects of corruption.