Corruption is "single biggest threat" to PNG's future

Radio Australia | ABC

IN A STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS yesterday, prime minister Peter O'Neill outlined an anti-corruption strategy and promised to rebuild the country's public institutions and infrastructure.

However, at least one public figure, the former member for Lae Open Bart Philemon, says more needs to be done to address the problem.

Mr Philemon called for urgent action to fight corruption, saying the problem is the biggest threat to the nation's future.

On Radio Australia's Pacific Beat program, Lawrence Stephens, the president of Transparency International PNG, agreed with Mr Philemon.

Papua New Guinea ranks 154th out of 180 nations in Transparency International's 2011 Corruption Perception Index, which lists countries according to their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys.

"When you listen to statements like the former member, like those of the prime minister, and like those of many other leaders, the ranking appears to be warranted and we are in serious trouble as a nation plagued by corruption," Mr Stephens said.

"People are far too accepting of the reality of corruption, far too ready to participate in corrupt activities, even down to the extent of bribing police officers and corrupt officials," Mr Stephens added.

Earlier this week an anti-corruption team appointed by the country's government arrested four people for allegedly misusing more than $US1.5 million in school funds.

It followed an investigation by Task Force Sweep, which was set up by the government last year to investigate the alleged misuse of public funds.

Comments

[Chris Jayson Kumie]

Having gone through the article, I was so sad about our country which is ranked 154th out of 180 corrupt nations.
In this case, I would say that corruption is in our blood and we cannot change it. Though the Prime minister outlined the anti-corruption strategy will not work out effectively.
Corruption is orientated as part of our culture and tradition in all of our societies. Most of the new generations are growing up with corruptions and it’s already in their minds.
However, corruption is not a bad behavior. Most of us play corruption for our own benefits which is corrupting our nation and the majority of the populations are still living in poverty lives.
Therefore, I personally suggest that, since Corruption is in our blood, we must practice it for the good of the majority of the population not for self-interest.

[Gigil Marme]

Corruption is a process of abusing public office for personal gain. It starts from the top man in the country at the macro level right down to the family level - micro level.

It's extremely difficult to find a honest person nowadays. Even clergy are not honest. In PNG corruption is said to be the fastest growing business enterprise.

One easy way is to take advantage of public office for their personal gain.

I suggest that very tough policies and acts legislated and put in place for higher office holders would reduce the incidence of corruption in PNG.

For example, ban for life from holding higher public or private offices in the country.

[Flintstone Segeben]

I am wondering if the act of rushing self serving legislations through the parliament without adhering to due processes with the intention of hanging on to power could be called corruption?

[Roa Jude]

From my observation corruption is rampaging in Papua New Guinea, and according to The Economist: “PNG’s government are disreputable for corruption, and even run the risk of turning the state into “fully-fledged kleptocracy,” meaning to say our government increases the personal wealth and the political power of its officials and the ruling class at the expense of the wider population, often without pretence of authentic service.

A general accepted definition of corruption is ‘the misuse of public office for personal gain’ (Klitgaard, 2000). Public office is abused and misused when an official solicits a bribe.

However, there is no definition of corruption in the constitution. Thus it is a term that is used a lot in Papua New Guinea today but it is not very effective to our constitution (Ombudsman Commission 2000).

Sources:
Klitgaard, R., 2000. Corrupt Cities. New York: Institute of Contemporary Studies.
Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea, 2000. The Report of an Investigation into the Purchase of the Conservatory, Cairns. Port Moresby: Ombudsman Commission.