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NGO STATEMENT TO THE 2001 CONSULTATIVE GROUP 
MEETING ON CAMBODIA

GOVERNMENT AND TRANSPARENCY 
 

CONTENTS

 


Introduction
Key Issues
Recommendations

Introduction

The concept of good governance is broadly characterized by transparency, responsibility, public participation, and adherence to the rule of law and cooperation between government and civil society. Notwithstanding the efforts made to bring efficient, democratic reforms to the system of administration by the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC), there are still many obstacles to the efficient implementation of the principle of good governance and transparency.

A national survey on Public Attitudes Towards Corruption conducted in early 1998 indicated that the vast majority of Cambodians believe that corrupt practices are the normal way of getting things done in Cambodia. However, 91% believe that it is harming the nation and 98% would like it stopped. 

Key Issues

  • Corruption

The effects of corruption take both concrete and less tangible forms. At the most basic level, corruption results in inefficient management of public resources and governmental decision-making based upon the personal gain of those in positions of power rather than the public welfare. Among the immediate results of this unprincipled behavior in a developing country like Cambodia are such basic things as reduced levels of health, education, and infrastructure. Beyond these immediate effects, corruption corrodes the basis for trust between public officials and the public they are supposed to serve, thus undermining and preventing the further development of the foundations of democracy itself. Thus for example, the corrupt practice of vote-buying illustrates the commonly held conviction that once candidates are in power, they'll act in their own personal interests anyway, so the voter quite reasonably expects little beyond the price of his or her vote. 

The government's inability to effectively manage public resources is aggravated by the weak system of public administration, which in turn is partly a result of corrupt hiring and promotion practices based upon patronage and payoffs rather than merit, work output, or success in achieving pronounced government objectives, whether in the realm of poverty reduction or elsewhere. Clearly such a system is incapable of responding to the people's needs, when in fact those needs are even taken into account

Recommendations

While the government has taken major steps in dealing with corruption in areas such as illegal logging and fisheries practices, to further the fight against corruption, the Cambodian NGO community makes the following recommendations:

  • Civil Service Reform

Programs to increase transparency in the hiring and promotion of civil servants at all levels must be implemented. Salaries of all civil servants must be raised to a level at which graft and corruption will be minimized and pride in public service fostered.

  • Anti-Corruption Legislation

Efforts to pass effective anti-corruption legislation should be expedited. Key to the success of any legislative scheme will be a truly independent anti-corruption body with effective investigatory powers, and an independent judiciary before which to bring its charges. In addition, a law on declaration of assets by government employees must be passed. It can truly be said that progress, or the lack of it, on this legislation will be the true measure of the political will to fight corruption in Cambodia.

  • Education

To break down the system of corruption in Cambodia it is imperative that Cambodians come to see that the only proper role for those in positions of political and governmental power is that of public servant. This concept must be inculcated at all levels of education in Cambodia, and should be made part of the required training of all government officials. The holding of public office in Cambodia must come to be seen as a privilege that carries with it the highest levels of ethical and moral responsibility.

For more information on the issues raised in this paper please contact:
The Centre for Social Development at 023 364 735. Email: csd@bigpond.com.kh
Introduction
Progress
Key NGO priorities
Conclusion
Strategic Planning for Poverty Reduction
Sectoral Papers
Agriculture
Child's Rights
Commune Administration and Decentralization
Commune Elections
Disability and Rehabilitation
Education
Fisheries
Forestry
Gender
Governance and Transparency
Health
HIV/AIDS
Human Rights
Landmines and & UXOs
Land Reform
Mental Health
Micro-finance
Urban Poor
Weapons Reduction and Management
General NGO Information
References

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