I suspect there might have been some phone calls from Chang and Singha - two massive beer manufacturers with very wealthy and well-connected owners.
No doubt! Not sure what it's like there but for other counties in that part of the world, corruption is rife and money talks. It was one of the things that really pissed me off about the Philippines.
before i moved to South East Asia I never really experienced how much corruption infiltrates every layer of society. I suppose it isn't all that surprising as money does drive the world I just think the corruption is usually much higher up in the west.... of course this has very little to do with what you just said but over here just tiny things like having a police officer in your family (even extended family) is a sure fire way to not have to abide by rules that other people are subjected to. It's a bit scary really.
You might be on to something there. It can be good to not know about rather than it blatantly in your face.