The Myanmar authorities have invited complaints for bribery and malpractice by judicial personnel in a bid to shape a fair judicial system that can win trust and reliance of the people, the official newspaper New Light of Myanmar reported Wednesday.

Any complaint against such cases on personnel of the Supreme Court or courts at various levels, Attorney-General's Office and Myanmar Advocates Council was outlined to be made directly to their respective heads and deputy heads of the bodies set up in the new administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw by mail, fax and phone, the report said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Soe Win, in a meeting with judges and law officers on Monday, stressed the need for the judicial sector to adapt itself to reform which is being made in conformity with the forthcoming new state constitution.

He warned that at the same time, the government is also taking action against staff for misconduct and inviting public criticism and complaints.

The newspaper's editorial also urged establishment of a judicial system that is in line with the genuine democratic social life of the people, believing that if judicial personnel weld the state's policies with present laws, the judicial pillar will be more upright and fairer, and the people will abide by the law and in return the law will protect the people.

Since late last year, as part of the government's first measure aimed at eliminating malpractice within the government mechanism, four government ministries -- Home Ministry, Finance Ministry, Energy Ministry and Forestry Ministry as well as the Yangon City Development Committee, have similarly invited filing of complaints from the public against any misconduct by the bodies' staff members in a drive to ensure a clean administrative machinery.

Earlier official reports said the Myanmar government has suspended the posts of more than 100 officials and staff from the Customs Department in a crack down on corruption and bribery since last November. Of them, over three dozens have been sentenced to long prison terms, according to legal sources.

Official statistics also show that the government punished 1, 247 service personnel for malpractice in 2005 and 2006.

Source: Xinhua