Thinley Namgay  

On the occasion of His Royal Highness Prince Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck’s eighth birth anniversary, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) announced that the National Anti-Corruption Day would henceforth be observed on February 21, aligning with the birth anniversary of His Majesty The King.

The declaration, signed by ACC’s chairperson, Deki Pema, in the presence of commissioners, ACC officials, and the media, aims to customise the observance to the local context, celebrating the legacies of the monarchs and seeking citizens’ support in the fight against corruption.

While Bhutan traditionally observed the International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, the National Anti-Corruption Day will emphasise local values and traditions. The day seeks to foster collaboration with various agencies and utilise platforms like social media for information dissemination.

This year’s theme for the National Anti-Corruption Day is “Integrity for Progress and Prosperity”.

ACC has planned fifteen build-up activities leading to February 21, including an online integrity poll for social media users, training sessions on DAMTSI education for teachers, video messages, reports on best practices, and thematic sessions for local government leaders.

Deki Pema expressed the commission’s goal to unite all stakeholders in the fight against corruption. She highlighted that the National Anti-Corruption Day encourages individuals to reflect on their conduct, translating the wisdom of His Majesty into practical actions.

Despite facing human resource and budget constraints, Deki Pema emphasised ACC’s commitment, citing an investigation of a minimum of 30 cases annually.

ACC also conducted a press conference addressing National Anti-Corruption Day, National Integrity Assessment 2022, Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index 2023, and ACC’s Annual Report 2022-2023.