Bureaucratic Corruption and its Control in Macao

Abstract

Bureaucratic corruption was a hallmark of Macao's public administration from the 1960s to the 1980s. Although an anti-corruption commission was established in 1991, its role has not been clearly defined and its power has been limited. There is strong opposition to anticorruption work both inside and outside the government. The politicized bureaucrats, conservative-minded legislators, local judges, and business leaders are reluctant to confer substantial power to the anti-corruption commission. The fight against corruption in Macao becomes ineffective without the support and cooperation of the ruling and societal elites. As Macao is economically integrated into China where bureaucratic corruption is rampant, corruption in Macao will remain a problem that needs to be tackled urgently.