UN Office Lauds Corruption Education Programme In Brunei
By P. Marilyn

Bandar Seri Begawan - The efforts of Brunei's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to instil the fight against corruption from a young age by integrating the Corruption Prevention Education Programme in primary schools was highly applauded by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

"This is a unique initiative carried out by the ACB, done for the first time in the region," said Michel Bonnieu, Senior Regional Legal Advisor with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. "Brunei is a small country but that does not mean that Brunei cannot achieve something big.

"I have yet to see any other country doing this in such a systematic way and I believe this programme is worth presenting to international countries.

"Brunei has a good opportunity to raise its profile internationally. Other countries in the region such as Indonesia and Malaysia are interested to visit Brunei to look into this programme.

"The UN office highly encourages this effort, as one of the steps to eradicate corruption in the country," he said.

He fully supports ACB's plan to expand the Corruption Prevention Education to university level.

"Brunei's initiative in eradicating corruption is remarkable. I read His Majesty the Sultan and Yang DiPertuan of Brunei Darussalam's titah during the National Day and I am impressed to see His Majesty's political will in addressing the issue of drugs and crime amongst the youth in Brunei."

Yesterday, he was accompanied by ACB officials in a visit to Amar Pahlawan Primary School to study the process of Corruption Prevention Education in schools. A study of corruption and its manifestations, it was incorporated in the school curriculum at primary and secondary schools since early 2006.

He was welcomed by the Headmistress, Cikgu Hjh Norisah binti Haji Salleh.

Also present was the Assistant Director of Curriculum Development Department, Hj Kanafiah bin Haji Metali.

The programme aims to educate and nurture moral values such as honesty, trustworthiness and sincerity in young learners as a lesson to be practised in their daily lives.

A joint cooperation between the ACB and the Curriculum Development Department, Ministry of Education, the programme will be phased into all schools by 2011.

Bonnieu is on a five-day visit to have a first hand look at law enforcement in Brunei. He will be meeting with other law enforcement agencies to enhance networking.

"I have met the Director of ACB several times and from there, a visit was arranged for me to come to this country to look into any opportunities for future cooperation." -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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