Macao Tightens Anti-Bribery Laws to Combat Corruption in Private Sector
In a move to strengthen its fight against corruption, the Macao Special Administrative Region has enacted Law No. 19/2009, which criminalizes bribery in the private sector and imposes tough penalties on those found guilty.
Definition of Bribery
The new law defines bribery as any act of soliciting or accepting an undue advantage by a person performing professional duties in the private sector, including management or administrative personnel, for themselves or a third party. It also covers active bribery, where a person gives or promises to give such an advantage to another person to influence their actions.
Penalties
The law sets out penalties ranging from:
- Imprisonment of up to one year and a fine for passive bribery
- Imprisonment of up to six months and a fine for active bribery
- Double the penalties in cases involving unfair competition
- Triple the penalties if the bribe results in damage to third parties’ health or safety
New Provisions
The law also introduces new provisions aimed at preventing corruption, including:
- The requirement for private entities to formulate standards and procedures to ensure their integrity and promote transparency
- The responsibility of the Commission Against Corruption to investigate and prosecute bribery cases in the private sector
- Close collaboration with other bodies to prevent corruption
Implementation
The law comes into effect on March 1, 2010. Legal experts say that the new law is a significant step forward in combating corruption in Macao’s private sector, which has long been plagued by allegations of bribery and corruption.
“This law sends a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated in Macao,” said one expert. “It’s a major step towards creating a more transparent and accountable business environment.”
Broader Effort
The law is seen as part of a broader effort to strengthen Macao’s anti-corruption regime, which has faced criticism for being too weak in the past. The government has pledged to do more to combat corruption and improve transparency in public life.
New Anti-Corruption Agency
In related news, the Macao government has also announced plans to establish a new anti-corruption agency to investigate and prosecute corruption cases. The agency will be responsible for investigating allegations of corruption and working with other bodies to prevent corruption.
“This is a significant development in Macao’s efforts to combat corruption,” said one expert. “It shows that the government is serious about tackling this issue and creating a more transparent and accountable business environment.”