Cambodians urged to fight against corruption

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- The Transparency International Cambodia (TI Cambodia) and the Coalition for Integrity and Social Accountability (CISA) appeal to the Cambodian people to fight against and break the corruption chain.

"On the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day ( December 9, TI Cambodia and CISA would like to encourage all Cambodians to take concrete actions to fight corruption and thus ensure that everyone can enjoy their basic rights and live in dignity," said a statement on Tuesday.

The statement said the corruption, the abuse of entrusted power for private gain, acts as a dirty tax on society’s most vulnerable people and therefore exacerbates inequality, slows economic development and feeds social instability.

“While efforts need to be conducted at the institutional and policy level, it is important to remember that every single individual has the power and obligation to fight corruption and, when acting jointly with others, they can make society less corrupt”, said Preap Kol, Executive Director at TI Cambodia.

The statement said individuals can help break the chain of corruption by committing to not paying or seeking bribes, speaking out against corruption and reporting abuse through TI Cambodia's hotline by dialing 1292 or 777, only supporting candidates for public office who say no to corruption and demonstrate transparency, integrity and accountability, and Working with others to campaign against corruption.