Burma Govt Forms Anti-Graft Committee

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President Thein Sein’s office on Wednesday announced the formation of an anti-corruption committee under the chairmanship of Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham. “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,” according to a statement. It did not elaborate on the mandate and powers of the committee. On Dec. 26, Thein Sein announced in a nationwide speech that the third phase of his reform agenda would focus on rooting out corruption, in particular among government officials. The plan however, lacked details and did not specify punishments for corrupt officials.