Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has consented to Brunei ratifying the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (Uncac), said the director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau yesterday.

Pg Kasmirhan Pg Hj Tahir was speaking during the Fifth meeting between Brunei and their Malaysian counterparts.

According to the Uncac website, Brunei signed the convention in December 11 of 2003.

"It is hoped that with this collaboration, the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Brunei and our counterparts from

Malaysia, we would be able to join forces to effectively play an active role in the region, as well as the international scene in fighting against corruption," he said.

He stated that the annual bilateral meeting was set up in 2002, and has strengthened the working cooperation between the two organisations.

"In the field of enforcement and the exchange of expertise and work experiences, this meeting has resulted in both parties becoming loyal friends who hold a high respect for one another," he said.

He also congratulated the Anti-Corruption Body of Malaysia on ratifying the convention.

The Malaysian director of the Anti Corruption Body, Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Ahmad Said Hamdan pointed out how the collaboration between both organisations have been at its most active stage and have had a solid progression.

He said that there had been a few successful collaboration between both parties that have enabled carrying out effective means of investigation.

"Operations such as Ops Pusing, Satellite and Scar have been carried out, and these operations have successfully constrained corruption activities that occur in relevant government departments," said Datuk Said Hamdan.

He stated that even if both parties are members of the Southeast Asia Parties Against Corruption (SeaPac), that consists of the other six Asean countries, the cooperation remains unique due to its geographical location and similar cultures.

In the future, the director hopes that both organisations will conduct several activities that involve religious talks, drama, and debate that would provide an insight on corruption. The closed-door meeting will be held for two days at Rizqun International Hotel. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times