Corruption and Cambodia's Governance System
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Corruption and Cambodia’s Governance System The Need for Reform National Integrity System Assessment 2014 Transparency International Cambodia #9B, Street 466, Sangkat Tunle Bassac, Khan Chamkarmorn, 12301 Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia Phone: (+855) 23 21 44 30 / 23 21 42 11 [email protected] www.ticambodia.org www.facebook.com/ticambodia www.twitter.com/ticambodia © Cover photo: ‘I want to be one of them’ by Phim Kanika. Winner of Transparency International Cambodia’s 2014 photo competition: “Illustrate how corruption negatively afects your world”. Primary education in Cambodia is supposed to be free for all children. Yet teachers often subsidise their low wages through unofcial payments. Te impact of this kind of corruption trickles through society, hurting everyone along the way. Te contents of the publication refect the views only of Transparency International Cambodia. Every efort has been made to verify the accuracy of the information contained in this report. All information was believed to be correct as of May 2014. Nevertheless, Transparency International Cambodia cannot accept responsibility for the consequences of its use for other purposes or in other contexts. © 2014 Transparency International Cambodia. All rights reserved. Through more than 100 chapters worldwide and an international secretariat in Berlin, we raise awareness of the damaging effects of corruption and work with partners in government, business Project Manager and Lead Author: Elizabeth Johnson Support Authors: Rebecca Hyde and Therese Rosenfeld Researchers: Phoeurn Sokchan Poch Pisal Corruption has been one of the most critical measures to fll up the gaps in order to fght against challenges and obstacles to a fair and equitable share corruption more effectively. As I characterise of economic growth as well as progressive democratic corruption as a social disease, I see this holistic development in Cambodia. It can be characterised assessment as a major diagnosis to determine the as a social disease which has been transmitted nature and causes of the disease. Terefore, the list systematically to all levels of the public administration. of recommendations given in this report can be seen Tis corruption phenomenon has caused Cambodians as a prescription for curing this particular social and some foreign citizens doing business in the disease. country to believe corruption is a way of life in Cambodia. As a result, most people resort to be On behalf of the Transparency International willing victims; some have no choice but to participate Cambodia team I would like to recognise and express in the system while others have even learned ways my profound thanks to the invaluable contributions to efectively commit corruption and take advantage of the research team who have worked very hard to of such malpractices. compile this report and to those who participated in the assessment. Tis assessment could only have However, in recent years Cambodia has made been undertaken with the input, insights and steps to tackle corruption in response to growing expertise of many diferent stakeholders including demand. As good governance has been placed at the the Government, Parliament, political parties, civil centre of the Government strategy, anti-corruption society organisations, private sector, media, is one of the top priorities. Te passage of the Anti- development partners, and independent analysts. I Corruption Law in 2010 and the establishment of also would like to thank Transparency International the Anti-Corruption Institution soon after had Secretariat in Berlin, Germany, for the input and opened windows of opportunity to change the whole comments on the methodology, ensuring the landscape. As evidenced over the last few years, consistency and quality of the assessment and its people’s attitude towards corruption has been report. Most importantly, I would like to thank the transformed remarkably; from once accepting Board of Directors of Transparency International corruption as a way of life, to becoming the Cambodia and the study’s Advisory Group for their challengers of corrupt systems. Increasing numbers leadership, guidance, and contribution to this very of people in Cambodia are strongly demanding that important report. the Government and politicians do their best to fght against corruption. Tis change is confrmed by Last but not least, I would like to request your evidence-based studies and results of the 2013 support and collaboration in ensuring the national elections in Cambodia. recommendations listed in this report get implemented so that the key institutions and overall Going forward, it is obvious that corruption will integrity system can be strengthened and our eforts remain one of the top priorities in the Government’s to fght against corruption can be more efective. reform agenda and political debates. Terefore, this Tis could lead to irreversible progress and positive National Integrity System Assessment is a very results over the coming years. invaluable and timely input for the Cambodian government, politicians, civil society organisations, private sector, media, development partners and all members of the society to see the whole picture of loopholes in the current integrity system within key Preap Kol institutions in Cambodia. With this knowledge anti- Executive Director corruption stakeholders must take necessary Transparency International Cambodia #$%&'()*+,*-*&./ Te National Integrity System Assessment has Aid of the Embassy of Sweden); and, Chea Kimsong, only been possible through the collaborative efort Social Policy Specialist, United Nations Children’s of its contributors, most notably its authors and Fund (UNICEF) (replaced Peter Devries, Former researchers, whose hard work and expertise have Chief of Education Section UNICEF Cambodia). provided Transparency International Cambodia We would like to thank our External Reviewer, with the highest-quality content. Kheang Un (Dr.), Assistant Professor of Political We are grateful to the study’s Advisory Group, Science at the Northern Illinois University in the a group of distinguished experts from diverse United States. He provided essential feedback on constituencies across Cambodia who provided the full draft of the report, guiding the authors input on all aspects of the report: Heav Veasna and researchers towards the fnal outcome. (Dr.), Technical Advisor at Mong Reththy Group As Transparency International Cambodia Co. Ltd.; Pung Chhiv Kek (Dr.), President of the continues to expand, we are indebted to our League for the Promotion and Defense of Human committed, talented and insightful colleagues who Rights (LICADHO); Tida Khus, Exectuive Director have supported this project. We would particularly of Silaka; Houth Ratanak, Program Coordinator like to thank our senior management, Preap Kol at Pact in Cambodia, and Member of the Board of and Pech Pisey, for their continuous advice and Transparency International Cambodia; Chhay Ros reviewing of the report drafts. Te report could (Dr.), Senior Programme Manager at the Australian not have been completed without the tireless Embassy in Cambodia; Rath Sophoan, Chairman eforts of Caitlin Graham and Alecia Wood. Tey of the Board of Transparency International both undertook ad hoc research, writing, re- Cambodia; Soeung Sarouen, Executive Director reading and editing to fnalise several pillars each. of the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia, and We would also like to thank Rath Darapisuor for Member of the Board of Transparency International background research; Seang Meng Aun for Cambodia; Hean Sokhom (Dr.), President of the administrative support; Top Visalh and Ly Davy Centre for Advanced Studies; Kay Kimsong, Editor- for ad hoc translations; Chhorn Sovannara for in-Chief of the Phnom Penh Post Khmer; Colin procurement; Chea Sokunthea for budget support; Spurway, Acting Country Director of BBC Media Chhay Pidor, Neou Sovattha and Pen Raksa for Action in Cambodia (replaced Charles Hamilton, tips and suggestions for research; and, Michelle former Country Director of BBC Media Action); Williams for completing a glossary of technical Klas Rasmusson, Counsellor, Economist for the terms to assist our translators. Te Khmer- Embassy of Sweden (replaced Karl-Anders Larsson, language version of the report has been reliant on Former Counsellor and Deputy for International the committed work of our translation team: Pech !!""""""""""" !"#$%!"&'$!#()*$#+',+,#(-'",,(,,-(!# Pisey, Rath Darapisuor, Top Visalh, and Chea expertise pro bono. Tanks are also owed to Sophornna. Chunly Serey Vicheth has provided Bernard Rayner for giving tips for improvement crucial support to the fnal design and formmating. on the overall structure and tone of the report. In addition, we would like to thank Hilary Ford for The research team at Transparency professionaly editing the fnal English report prior International-Secretariat has provided crucial to publication. quality assurance and guidance throughout the project. With particular thanks to Andrew Te report’s fnal design has been dependent McDevitt for always providing timely useful advice, on the skills of Rothany Srun, who worked tirelessly as well as reviewing all sections of the report. We with our team to produce print ready versions of are also grateful for ad hoc support from Finn both the English and Khmer reports. Heinrich (Dr.), Allison McMeekin, Susanne Mulcahy (Dr.), Suzanne Kuehn, Maren Tompson, Furthermore, we are grateful to the anti- Michael Sidwell; in addition to Sofa Wickberg, corruption