The United Nations Transitional Authority was ushered into Cambodia from 1992-1993 to establish a multiparty democracy following decades of strife. Twenty years on, how does the country fare regarding corruption?
There is no doubt that Cambodian lives have greatly improved over the last two decades: the economy is thriving and the country is at peace. Remarkable progress has been made in the reduction of child mortality, HIV/AIDS. The percentage of the population living below the poverty line has significantly decreased.
In 2010, the government passed the Anti-Corruption Law and established the Anti-Corruption Unit. Following this, cases of bribery, extortion and fraud have been prosecuted. The government has also organised multiple educational events to disseminate the Anti-Corruption Law.
Islands of change in the public sector demonstrate accountable and transparent governance, while the government continues to pledge its commitment to tackling corruption in its Rectangular Strategy for Growth. In October 2013, the prime minister issued a sub-decree demanding the proper taxation of importers by customs officials, to prevent customs revenue being undercut by bribery.
These are welcome transformations, but they are incomplete. According to survey data from the International Republican Institute, the percentage of Cambodians perceiving the country to be headed in the wrong direction doubled throughout 2013 to reach 43 per cent, with 30 per cent of these respondents highlighting corruption as the top reason why change is needed. There is a danger the Cambodian government will settle for the successes of economic development while corrupt practices remain widespread.