A report released by the Transparency International ranked Burma
(Myanmar was recognised by the United Nations, and by countries such as France and Japan, but not by the United States and the UK which take Burma as its official name) and Somalia as the world's most corrupt country.
The 2007 corruption perceptions index scores countries on a scale from zero to 10, with zero indicating high levels of perceived corruption and 10 indicating low levels of perceived corruption. Somalia and Burma share the lowest score of 1.4.
Endowed with abundant natural resources and fertile land, Burma should be one of Asia's most prosperous countries. But years of government mismanagement have placed it among the 20 poorest countries in the world, according to UN estimates.
Burma has a per capita income of $200 (£100), 10 times less than its neighbour Thailand. Some 90% of the population live on $1 a day, and recent increases in fuel prices have hit hard.
Currently the country was hit by a massive protest with the revered monks' participation, which triggered due to an over-night fuel price sparked. But the country's unwitting junta has begun beating those poor protesters , we are even worrying about their daily lives.
The government, which holds a monopoly on fuel sales and subsidises them, raised the price of fuel from 1,500 kyats (58p) per imperial gallon of diesel.
Natural gas has also increased by as much as 500%. The prices of commodities such as eggs, cooking oil and poultry have increased by an average of 35%.
Experts say the price rises show the government either does not care or is out of touch with the condition of ordinary Burmese, especially given the leadership's penchant for opulence.
The junta used up much-needed funds in building the country's new capital deep in the jungle. Money is also needed to maintain one of the world's largest armies.
Burmese have to take dramatic measures to survive. Many must walk miles to work to avoid paying higher bus fares, while others are selling furniture and other household goods.
Source: Burma is world's most corrupt country, says report @ Guardian
Burma protesters defy crackdown @ BBC
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