The Papua New Guinea Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC)has slammed political leaders and the Government bureaucracy for not doing what they promised when the institution was enacted in the establishment of the ICAC.
Deputy Commissioner Operations of ICAC, Daniel Baulch made stark revelations as the country is experiencing what he described as clear signs of corruptions on all levels, making reference to reports of members of government at the highest levels embroiled in controversial conduct.
“They are not reporting corruption, even though they are legally required to under the leadership code.
“In the last fortnight, there were public reported instances regarding potential corruption by high-ranking government members and politicians.
“This includes a letter allegedly from the (now former) Minister for Finance instructing the release of approximately PNG Kina 73 million(US$18 million) in outstanding payments to multiple businesses.
“Days later, the Post Courier reported that the Prime Minister had intervened rightfully to halt those payments. In recent days, we noted that the finance minister has now also been replaced,” Baulch stated.
He also made reference to other reports from political court cases that revealed the payments of bribes in the form of vehicles and cash to influence votes for an election by another current minister.
“Despite these and other stories, no official report of suspected corrupt conduct has been made to ICAC about these matters. The silence speaks volume.
“Part 4, Section 451 of the organic law of the Independent Commission Against Corruption requires that all leaders who are subject to leadership code to report suspected corrupt conduct to the ICAC.
“There are those that are likely failed in their legal obligation to report. Again, the ICAC is left to proactively chase what others fear to face.
Let’s be clear. Corruption in PNG is not just about money. It causes real harm. It keeps people from getting help, keeps people from getting health care, education or jobs.
“It fuels violence. And in some cases, it even leads to death. Despite the claims that ICAC has the laws it needs, repeated requests the legislative cooperation are met with silence,” Baulch stated.
Meanwhile, in a concerning turn of events the Independent Commission Against Corruption has indicated strong resistance from all sectors of governance in its aims to address corruption cases over the past 12 months.
With the national government preaching the Anti-Corruption gospel of establishing the entity to address the chronic issue and it meeting requirements from global development partners and the greater community, it seems the commission has met a lack of cooperation at all levels.
“Our letters and requests are often ignored. Meetings don’t happen. Court processes are delayed.
“Even simple things like getting search or arrest warrants can be blocked. For over 12 months, we’ve submitted frameworks, drafted national responses, and sought high-level coordination to confront PNG’s corruption and crime epidemic. People often say, ICAC is the last hope for PNG.
“We are doing everything we can to live up that hope, but we cannot do it alone.
ICAC Deputy Commissioner Operations Daniel Baulch appealed all leaders in government and the public service to work with the commission to stand against corruption.
“We will keep going, but we need your help. For the sake of our people, this nation and the future of this country, be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
When asked by PC Online on a proactive approach by ICAC to take on the reporting and eventual prosecution of cases they have had issues with when raising the issue of the lack of corporation towards the commission.
“We don’t wait. So, the ICAC has the authority and the power to initiate its own investigations. So, if we see a matter and we assess a matter and we determine it appropriate that it’s appropriate that the ICAC investigates, we will investigate.
“We will give those matters consideration. But what I also say that clearly, I mean, one of those matters has been before a court and it’s been a civil matter.
“So clearly there must be things like affidavits, reports, accounts of witnesses, other evidence, bring it to us.
“But we will follow those things up. Yes. Because the people need some assurance in PNG that we actually do those things. If we don’t look, who else will?” Baunch emphasised.
