ASEAN to Strengthen its Investigative Strategies and Techniques to Fight Bid Rigging.

Kuala Lumpur, 27 April 2017, Commission for the Supervision of Business Competition (KPPU) working together with Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) and Malaysia Competition Commission (MyCC) held a two days workshop under the theme of “Investigative Strategies and Techniques to Fight Bid Rigging Cartels” on 26-27 April 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The workshop, which took place under JAPAN-ASEAN Integration Fund Project on Technical Assistance for ASEAN Competition Authorities, was attended by more than 30 participants from 9 (nine) ASEAN member countries, and contributed by pertinent experts from Japan by Prof. Iwakazu TAKAHASHI, Hassan Qaqaya from Perdana University, DR. Sukarmi (Commissioner of KPPU), Mr. Iskandar Ismail from MyCC and many other colleagues from JFTC.

The workshop was focused on strategies and techniques on bid rigging cartel enforcement. Some of ASEAN member countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam Philippines joined to share their experience on bid rigging cases. The discussion took place in most issues in cartel enforcement, including the use of indirect evidence, formal tools for detection cartels, leniency program, tools to fight bid rigging in public procurement screening, intersection between cartel enforcement and against corruption, international coordination to increase the efficiency of cartel investigation, and also experiences/challenges and difficulties in obtaining reliable evidence.

JFTC also demonstrated the spot inspection and had participants to play a role as JFTC investigator, and reported party during the on-spot inspection. Most of participant shown their enthusiasm more in other role play which divided them to group of investigators, judges, and enterprises.

The mainly purpose of this program is to enhanced the capacity of ASEAN Member States in enforcing their national competition law, and initiate discussion in cross-border enforcement. This (JAIF) program consists of training course, sub regional workshop, and staff exchange program which is jointly hosted by KPPU, ASEAN Secretariat, and JFTC until the end of 2018. The program aimed at having ASEAN fully equipped with international practices and experiences from other ASEAN member states. (FKN)