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Strategies & Market Trends : Asia Forum -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Mohan Marette who wrote (667)	1/10/1998 1:22:00 PM
From: Esvida	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 9980

Mohan, I agree with this opinion with one tiny exception. Since the societies there heavily favor men, I would characterize it as the farther of all problems. Only people who have had direct experience with corruption in Asia can appreciate the depth of this cancerous disease. -Al

To: Mohan Marette who wrote (667)	1/10/1998 3:32:00 PM
From: Geoff Nunn	Respond to of 9980

Mohan, It's been my observation that govts that are most corrupt are usually the same govts that are most powerful. You used to rarely hear much about govt corruption in Hong Kong. Why? Because the govt there was limited and relatively powerless to do the sorts of things that invite corruption. When govt has the power to decide who will be awarded business operating licenses, or financial subsidies, import licenses, monopoly privlege, debt guarantees, etc. etc, it's only natural that firms will compete to receive these things -- with some offering bribes if necessary. In Hong Kong officials did not wield the power to grant such favors so there was relatively little corruption. Govt corruption was primarily confined to awarding govt contracts for things like construction of public housing. When other Asian countries adopt the kind of limited govt Hong Kong had (has?), abandoning the Mercantilist approach that you see there today, you will see less corruption. I'm not holding my breadth. Geoff

To: Mohan Marette who wrote (667)	1/10/1998 4:49:00 PM
From: Stitch	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 9980

Mohan: Corruption is a big one because of its exacting toll on profitability and production efficiency. In Malaysia there has recently been the formation of a special enforcement agency chartered to root out corruption in all areas. They have also recently been given the authority to search private property, acccess bank accopunt (and other private info sources), and bug telephone lines at will. There are none of the constitutional concerns we would encounter in the West. Whether good or bad there seems to be a new mind set about combatting the problem here in Malaysia, but only time will tell. There was an incident shortly after I arrived here 2 years ago that was telling. Seems there was a large sum of money under the care of a favored cabinet member that had gone missing. A day or two after the fact of it missing was reported in the papers it suddenly reaapeared. When the press and the political opposition openly asked how that had come about, they were publicly scolded by Mahatir who said that the how was unimportant as long as the money had been restored to its rightfull place. Worse then that, they responded as they were told, and little more was mentioned about it. The highly placed government official still holds office, and is a major influence on the business postures of the country. Makes you kind of wonder doesn't it? Best, Stitch