Every day the news gets more shocking. If private companies are sponsoring 80%, 50%, 30% or 20% of the costs of overseas visits by gomen officials isnt that a serious conflict of interest? Especially when the visits are for official business?
Isnt that called 'buying influence' for the profit of the private companies? Private companies spend money to make profits. They will be more than ready to pay for gomen officials' domestic or overseas trips as long as it is profitable for them. Surely the gomen officials will feel beholden or obliged to the private companies who are spending money on them.
What does the gomen's general orders say about gomen officials going on any trip, official or non-official (domestic or overseas) paid for by private companies? What is the opinion of the AG's Chambers or even of the MACC from the point of view of the law?
