SEA-ACN Roundtable: Harmonizing PEPs in ASEAN Promoting Transparency and Anti-Corruption Initiatives

KRAC Invites You to Watch the SEA-ACN Online Roundtable on Open Data: Harmonizing PEPs Definitions in ASEAN (Malaysia and Thailand)

Join us in building a regional database of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) through the SEA-ACN Online Roundtable on Open Data: Harmonizing PEPs Definitions in ASEAN (Malaysia and Thailand). This initiative aims to promote sustainable anti-corruption efforts through regional cooperation in Southeast Asia. 

On November 8, 2024, the Center for Knowledge to Foster Cooperation in Anti-Corruption and Promote Good Governance (KRAC), in collaboration with leading organizations such as the Anti-Corruption Commission of Thailand (ACT), Sinar Project, WeVis Demo Co., Ltd., and HAND Social Enterprise (HAND SE), organized an online roundtable focused on “Harmonizing the Definition of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in ASEAN (Malaysia and Thailand).” The event was divided into two parts: Presentation of research findings on harmonizing PEP definitions in Thailand and Malaysia. Expert opinions and feedback on the research results regarding PEP definitions in Thailand and Malaysia.

During the first part, members of the SEA-ACN OPEN DATA network presented their research titled “Harmonizing the Definition of Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs),” with insights from experts from three organizations: Khairil Yusof, Coordinator, Co-founder – Sinar Project Mr. Withi Phusitasai, Co-founder and Technical Lead, WeVis Mr. Nattapat Neokul, Head of Open Data for Transparency, HAND SE, and network expert within KRAC’s anti-corruption initiatives

In the second part, distinguished experts and data users shared their perspectives and suggestions, including: Pushpan Murugiah, CEO of the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Centre) Ato ‘Lekinawa’ Costa, Co-founder of the Association of Journalists of Timor-Leste Mr. Kittidej Chantangool, Director of the Thai Anti-Corruption Organization (TACT). The session also featured insights from government agencies such as the Office of the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) and international organizations like Politics for Tomorrow | Open Gov Network Germany (OGP), who shared their perspectives.

This roundtable served as a platform for the SEA-ACN network to exchange knowledge, viewpoints, and experiences, presenting research findings and strategies to harmonize the definition of PEPs across ASEAN member countries. The goal is to strengthen cooperation, promote good governance, and lay a solid foundation for advancing anti-corruption efforts in Southeast Asia.

The discussion emphasized “the importance of open data in fighting corruption,” with WeVis and HAND SE experts highlighting how developing and utilizing open data can enhance cross-organizational collaboration, reduce redundancy, and improve investigation efficiency.  Accessible PEP databases facilitate tracking relationships among individuals involved in corruption, enabling investigations to extend beyond officials to include businesspeople and other public figures, thereby better identifying risks and conflicts of interest.

Khairil Yusof from Sinar Project shared “the Malaysian approach,” which involves using shared spreadsheets to collect and update data on corruption-related individuals. This reduces duplication, ensures data recency, and supports anti-corruption efforts, especially when addressing crimes linked to abuse of power by PEPs. Open, easily accessible data allows swift identification of involved individuals or groups, accelerating investigations.

Members of the OPEN DATA team also emphasized the importance of supplementary databases, such as Beneficial Ownership data, as vital tools to fight corruption. These databases enable investigators to access information quickly and facilitate cross-border connections, with applications extending beyond anti-corruption to other legal cases.

Throughout the roundtable, participants expressed concerns about challenges such as language barriers—since not everyone can speak or read English—and the practical application of PEP criteria across different countries, especially regarding legal frameworks around finance, trade, and beneficial ownership disclosure.

Questions were raised about managing cases where individuals are no longer classified as PEPs after leaving office, with suggestions to retain data on former PEPs for future reference. Participants also highlighted the importance of incorporating data on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and monitoring the activities of high-ranking officials after they leave office—such as implementing cooling-off periods—to prevent misuse of influence and conflicts of interest.

Although individuals may no longer hold official positions, their past and ongoing activities should remain accessible for public oversight and accountability. In conclusion, the session underscored “the value of a PEP database” as a tool to enhance transparency, support investigations, and prevent conflicts of interest. Creating such a database will contribute to greater accountability and good governance in Thailand, Malaysia, and the broader ASEAN region.

However, questions about data storage, management, and regional cooperation remain subjects for ongoing discussion. Participants proposed developing standardized templates that countries can adopt, though debates continue over whether to create centralized regional databases or maintain separate national systems.

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