11 December, 2008 - “Our leaders should remember that acting tough is more important than talking tough.”

Said the chairman of the anti-corruption commission (ACC), Aum Neten, on Tuesday after she launched International Anti-Corruption Day in Thimphu.

Among the audience were 500 runners, who were participating in ACC’s marathon “Run against Corruption” week, from December 9-17, to mark the day.

Colonel Chencho Dorji of the royal Bhutan bodyguard, who had recently undergone an operation on his legs, participated in the marathon to stand up against corruption.

Nine-year old Thimphu student Kinlay Wangmo said that corruption, such as misuse of government funds, should be eradicated “for a better tomorrow for Bhutanese youth”.

“Creating awareness on corruption is a must to clean up the country,” said a businessman from Paro, Wangda Tobgyal, who drove to Thimphu to participate in the run.

Runners came from all walks of life. Some were as young as seven and others as old as 68. Elders had to run 5 km and women 7 km. The rest ran the whole 10 km.

Winners were mostly from the armed force, the royal bodyguard and the royal Bhutan army.

Aum Neten said that Bhutan presently ranked 9th in Asia-Pacific and 45th in the world amongst cleanest countries. But, she said, it was not a proud feeling as Bhutan had the ability to be the cleanest.

Aum Neten said people must culturally and behaviourally change and that the “people’s will” to act was the important resource, rather than the funds of the government, in tackling corruption.

Ap Kinlay, a farmer from Ramtogto, was the chief guest and awarded prizes to marathon winners. He also gave away participation certificates to the 35 veterans, who included the speaker, ministers, MP’s and senior government officials.

The media spokesperson for ACC, Kesang Jamtsho, said that Ap Kinlay was chosen as the chief guest because the government’s main aim was to render services to people and farmers were the ultimate beneficiaries.

The UNDP resident representative, Bakhodir Burkhanov, who attended the prize ceremony, said: “In many countries, anti-corruption initiatives are difficult to come to the fore because of lack of political will and leadership. But, here in Bhutan, we’re fortunate to have commitment from the highest level.”

“Corruption affects us all. It weakens democratic institutions, undermines the rule of law, and poisons the vital links that keep societies together,” said Bakhodir Burkhanov.