
Anyone applying to become a minister in Madagascar’s new government will be subjected to lie detector tests to root out those who are corrupt, the country’s military leader said on Thursday.
President Michael Randrianirina, who took power in a coup in the Indian Ocean island in October, said Madagascar had acquired a polygraph machine and a specialist to operate it to vet new government ministers.
“We will know who is corrupt and who can help us,” Randrianirina said. “We are not looking for someone who is 100 per cent clean, but someone who is more than 60 per cent clean.”
Advertisement
Randrianirina, a colonel in an elite army unit, ousted President Andry Rajoelina after a weeks-long uprising last year by mainly young Madagascans frustrated with the lack of government services and opportunities in a nation of around 32 million that is beset by poverty, despite an abundance of natural resources and rich biodiversity.
Randrianirina fired his entire cabinet and dissolved the government last week. He appointed a new prime minister on Sunday.
Advertisement
“After taking the polygraph test, candidates who fail will not proceed to an interview,” Randrianirina told reporters. “Those who pass the polygraph test will have an interview with me and the prime minister.”

Don't Miss:
-
‘Ghost oil’ stations earn ‘HK$10,000 a day’ in Hong Kong as petrol prices soar
-
Ageing Southeast Asia fights fears of death to brave the inevitable
-
Elon Musk misled Twitter shareholders, US jury finds
-
US claims China manipulating its position at UN to undermine America’s interests
-
US judge rules restrictive Pentagon press access unconstitutional

Questions swirl around US plans for record $15B Prince Group crypto seizure
Donate to ICIJ
Chelsea FC fined millions over secret payments under Abramovich ownership