ONE person in four worldwide paid a bribe during the past year These statistics were shown according to a study released on 9December to mark International Anti-Corruption Day. According to the article, this survey was "conducted among more than 91 000 people in 86 countries and territories" in the past 12 months. These institutions that bribes are paid to include the health, education or tax authorities. To our disappointment, the police were proved to be the most corrupted out of all institutions.

The statistics also showed that among the 86 countries and territories, "sub-Saharan Africa was the region reporting the greatest incidence of bribery, with more than one person in two saying they had made such payments to officials in the past 12 months." Following next will be The Middle East and North Africa that was found to be the next most-corrupt region, with 36 per cent of people there reporting having paid a bribe.

"Countries topping the list for reported bribe payments over the year were Afghanistan, Cambodia, Cameroon, India, Iraq, Liberia, Nigeria, the Palestinian territories, Senegal, Sierre Leone and Uganda, where more than one person out of two said they had handed out financial sweeteners to officials." The reasons to why bribes were paid were to avoid problems, while a quarter said that it was meant to speed up procedures. Comparing the lower income earners and higher-income earners, the lower-income earners reported paying more bribes than the better paid.

My response:
I personally feel very thankful to be borned in Singapore with the least possibility of institutions receiving bribery. Singapore is definitely one of the top countries with strong controls over systems and operations. Receiving or paying bribes in Singapore is least likely to happen as compared to the less developed countries. With a righteous and upright government looking after the citizens, we are the worthy of receiving the honour as the "happiest country in Asia" .

Apparently, though we do not have 0% of unemployment or 100% of happiness in Singapore, think about it, what do we really have to fear? We have a upright government that gives every Singaporeans a equal chance in every subsidary or job. We have a strong force of army who protects the citizens 24/7 and we have a good system of education where all Singaporeans get to study in. Apart so, we also have strong and well-trained medical health staff who take care of our health whenever we are sick.

I personally feel that since we are very fortunate, we should learn to bless others who are less fortunate. For example, those countries that are named at the top of the post. Camobodia is a country that is very misfortunate that has many undeveloped infrastructure and healthcare system. The Cambodians are the people who needs our help. By offering our help to them, we can help to prevent bribery from happening. I said that because they are less likely to pay bribes to institutions when help is offered to them. By helping them, we can also learn to be thankful and build our character.
Sheridin Tan:)

Post adapted from: http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/World/Story/A1Story20101210-251922.html
Image from: http://sg.images.search.yahoo.com/images