Myanmar sets up anti-graft panel

YANGON - Myanmar President Thein Sein set up his country's first anti-corruption committee to promote "clean government," state media reported Wednesday.

 

"As part of efforts for the emergence of good governance and clean government after the new government took office, an action committee against corruption is formed to fight the corruption and bribery in governmental organizations," The New Light of Myanmar quoted a statement by the president's office as saying.

Thein Sein has implemented political and economic reforms to formerly military-ruled Myanmar since taking office in 2011 and has often highlighted the need to curb corruption.

The government announced plans in November for anti-corruption legislation to replace the current law, which dates from 1948.

Myanmar was under military regimes from 1962 to 2010 when the resource-rich economy was under the tight control of generals and their cronies in the private sector.

Thein Sein's reforms have yet to have an impact on Myanmar's ranking on the non-governmental organization Transparency International's annual corruption index, its regional director, Samantha Grant, told The Irrawaddy magazine.

The index ranks countries from the least corrupt to the most corrupt, and Myanmar stood 172 out of 176 countries reviewed last year.

source: Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/329971/myanmar-sets-up-anti-graft-panel