Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Weekly Digest – Volume 117

117th PEP Weekly Digest:

Introducing the 117th edition of The PEP Weekly Digest, where we present to you the most recent updates and news on the global political stage.

Recent and upcoming elections influence the worldwide political landscape in eight nations, slated between Aug 17, 2025 and Sep 16, 2025. These elections hold significant importance, as they will determine the direction and governance of each respective country’s future.

Shih Chung-liang Appointed Taiwan’s New Health Minister

One noteworthy event has occurred in Taiwan, The Executive Yuan announced that current National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) Director-General Shih Chung-liang (石崇良) has been appointed health and welfare minister following a Cabinet reshuffle.

Meanwhile, current Centers for Disease Control Director General Chuang Jen-hsiang (莊人祥) will serve as deputy health and welfare minister.

The Cabinet expressed hope that Shih and Chuang would advance the “Healthy Taiwan” policy with their professionalism and communication skills, noting that they had laid a strong foundation for disease prevention for Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and effectively informed the public about its developments.

Kyrgyz President Replaces Labor Minister Ravshanbek Sabirov with Kanat Sagynbaev as Acting Minister

Shifting our focus to Kyrgyzstan, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree relieving Ravshanbek Sabirov of his duties as Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration.

According to the presidential press service, the decision was made in connection with Sabirov’s transition to another position. He had held the post since December 2024.

By a separate order, Kanat Sagynbaev was appointed Acting Minister of Labor, Social Security and Migration. His candidacy has been submitted to the Parliament for confirmation as minister on a permanent basis. Previously, Sagynbaev served as Chief of Staff at Bishkek City Hall.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court Sacks PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra for Ethics Violation Over Leaked Call with Hun Sen

In Thailand, the Constitutional Court of Thailand sacked Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethics violation.

The court sacked Paetongtarn after finding her guilty of an ethics violation in a p hone call with Cambodian politician Hun Sen. In their leaked conversation, critics said that she appeared to kowtow the former Cambodian leader.

“Due to a personal relationship that appeared aligned with Cambodia, the respondent was consistently willing to comply with or act in accordance with the wishes of the Cambodian side,” the court said in a statement.

The court further said that Paetongtarn “lacks the qualifications and possesses prohibited characteristics” under the Thai constitution to be the prime minister.

Swiss Bank J. Safra Sarasin Fined $4.3 Million for Failing to Prevent Petrobras-Linked Money Laundering

In the realm of regulatory affairs, Switzerland’s attorney general announced a CHF 3.5 million fine ( $4.3 million) on a Swiss private bank, J. Safra Sarasin, for failing to prevent money laundering linked to Brazil’s Petrobras corruption scandal, known as Operation Car Wash.

The attorney general’s office said that the bank failed to take the essential organisational measures to pinpoint or stop the suspicious transactions. A total of $71 million transactions were conducted between 2011 to 2014, against which the bank failed to take measures. These funds were allegedly sent as bribes to the executives of Petrobras, a  Brazilian state-owned petroleum company.

Former Jharkhand Minister Enos Ekka, Wife Among Nine Sentenced for Illegal Tribal Land Purchase Violating CNT Act

Shifting our attention to India, Former Jharkhand minister Enos Ekka, his wife Menon Ekka, and seven others have been sentenced by a special CBI court in Ranchi for illegally purchasing tribal land in violation of the Chotanagpur Tenancy (CNT) Act.

Special Judge Shyam Nandan Tiwari awarded seven years of rigorous imprisonment to Enos Ekka, his wife, and several co-accused. Along with the prison term, fines have also been imposed. Failure to pay the penalty will attract an additional one-year jail term. Four other accused, including then Ranchi LRDC Kartik Kumar Prabhat, were sentenced to five years in prison.

The case dates back 15 years. On August 29, the court convicted Ekka and others for acquiring tribal land worth over ₹1.18 crore in violation of Section 46 of the CNT Act. Another accused, Goverdhan Bedia, was acquitted for lack of evidence.

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