After decades in the shadows, the official corruption that blights much of Asia is finally coming under the spotlight as governments publicly commit themselves to a battle against bribery and fraud.
The declarations of intent, however, have largely failed to generate a serious enforcement effort, leaving many in the region relying on growing signs of anti-corruption engagement by the US to trigger a more forceful local response.
In particular, there is almost no sign of concrete action against corporate bribery of public officials – one of the main aims of both the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Britain’s new Bribery Act, which was enacted last year but is still awaiting implementation.