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PurposeThe aim of the paper is to analyse the prevalence of corruption in Malaysia since 2004 in relation to political leadership, implementation of anti-corruption measures and the political and business culture based on money politics.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws from the information and data provided by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, the Malaysian government, international organisations, media reports, and academic papers.FindingsThe paper analyses the perceived extent of corruption in Malaysia by examining how successive governments have dealt with the problem through a wide range of measures. Corruption remains widespread because of ineffective implementation, a culture of money politics based on mutually beneficial crony associations between political actors and business leaders, political interference to frustrate enforcement against corruption offenders, especially prominent personalities, and the mixed impact of corruption prevention measures. The paper concludes that the political and business culture and the nature of political leadership have eroded the political will to combat grand corruption in Malaysia.Originality/valueThis paper builds on previous research on corruption in Malaysia and highlights the combined negative impact of political leadership and a business and political culture that tolerates and espouses corruption, especially through money politics, and the consequent weak political will for tackling grand corruption.

PurposeThe aim of the paper is to examine the various aspects of the 1MDB scandal including the extent and types of corruption that occurred and the action taken to deal with them. In doing this, the paper seeks to identify the reasons for the scandal and the lessons that can be learnt to avoid such a scandal in Malaysia and elsewhere in the future.Design/methodology/approachThe research for the paper is based on evidence from court hearings, reports of watchdog and regulatory agencies, media reports, and various articles and books written about 1MDB.FindingsThe paper shows that most of the scandal involved embezzlement, bribery, false declarations and bond mispricing relating to extensive borrowing by 1MDB, and entailed a global network of shell companies and individuals through which the illicit money was passed. It also shows weak governance in 1MDB, poor internal controls within banks, the failure of watchdog and enforcement bodies to take the necessary action partly due to political control over them, and overall the lack of political will to deal with the scandal.Originality/valueThe paper builds on the findings of other papers and books written on the 1MDB scandal. It does this by linking the corruption to the borrowings of 1MDB, the international network of money-laundering and bribery through which illicit money flowed, and the poor internal controls in the organisation. It also builds on previous research by highlighting the failure of banks to identify money-laundering and of watchdog and enforcement bodies to deal with the corruption. A further value of the paper is to identify the lessons that can be learnt about combatting corruption on such a scale.

The ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution of 2002 obliges the ASEAN member states to deal with the haze pollution. Their success will depend particularly on the standards of governance and administration in Indonesia. (DÜI-NIAS-Han)

The article examines the recent changes made to the elite corps of the Singapore Civil Service, the Administrative Service, in response to the challenges it faces as result of the rapid economic and social transformation of the country over the last 30 years. One challenge is to overcome the shortfall of personnel in the Administrative Service resulting from the availability of more attractive and lucrative careers in the burgeoning private sector. A second challenge facing the Administrative Service is to remain attuned to the new needs and circumstances of the economy and the society at large. For this reason, Administrative Service officers are required to work in commercial or community-based organisations for part of their careers. (Asian J Pol Sci/DÜI)

The article examines the partnership arrangement between the state and the voluntary sector in the implementation of welfare programs in Singapore, as an alternative to a conventional welfare state. The evidence from Singapore is that voluntary welfare organisations have over the years retained significant discretion in undertaking their professional responsibilities in care delivery, but the recent imposition of operational models, "best practice" frameworks, and performance testing entails a significant extension of the regulatory and management control by the state. (DSE/DÜI)

The article examines the constitutional position and role of the Malaysian King and Rulers as constitutional monarchs, the problems that have arisen from that role, and the options the government has pursued in resolving these problems. In conclusion, the article evaluates how effective these options may be. The central thesis is that whilst the Rulers have generally observed the laws of the constitution, they have in some cases failed to observe the "spirit" of the constitution within their states, as reflected in the unwritten conventions of constitutional monarchy. According to these conventions, the monarch remains above politics and does not intervene in the day to day business of government and administration - a principle which the Rulers have not always adhered to. (AJPS/DÜI)

Examines constitutional role, prerogatives, and conventions of the monarchy, problems these have caused, and policy options the government has pursued. In context of major constitutional amendment passed in May 1994 to further curb powers of the monarchy.