BANGKOK: A majority of Pacific Islanders say corruption is a problem in their governments, with a significant number saying they have been offered bribes for their votes, a new poll released Tuesday by an anti-corruption watchdog group said. According to.
Transparency International said its first study of Pacific countries and regions showed that corruption is a significant problem in the region, and its findings highlighted some worrying trends.
This new data reveals for the first time the high levels of corruption experienced directly by people in the Pacific, pointing to a serious need for reform,” said Transparency Head Delia Ferreira Rubio.
“Governments need to listen to their people and address their corruption problems to ensure that they can vote freely and have easy access to quality public services, regardless of who they know and who they are. What can pay lies in fairness and accountability.
The survey selected more than 6,000 adults of various age groups and backgrounds from February to March 2021 in the federal states of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
It found that more than three out of five people believe corruption is a problem in their government, with almost a quarter saying they were offered bribes for their vote and 15% saying that He had received threats of retaliation if he did not vote in a specific way.
The problem was seen as worst in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, where more than 95% of respondents said government corruption was a major problem.
In an area where many people depend on natural resources, nearly half of those surveyed said the government does little to control the companies that are draining them. More than two-thirds of respondents also said that businesses use the connection to obtain government contracts.
Despite their perception of high corruption, over 60% of those surveyed hailed their government’s strategies to fight it, saying they were doing a good job.
In Kiribati, which developed a national anti-corruption plan in 2017, had the best impact, with 83% saying the government was doing a good job.
In an optimistic sign, 71% of people across the region said they think citizens can help stop corruption.
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