TIPNG welcomes Marat's stand on ICAC

Transparency International PNG Inc (TIPNG) applauds the reported determination of the Attorney General Dr Allan Marat to see the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in the country. These sentiments were also supported by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning Dr Puka Temu when he spoke about the National Plan that would provide a road map to addressing corruption issues and bad governance.

These two Leaders have responded to the cry by our communities for Government to take serious and long term action to tackle corruption. Their position has been supported further by the statement issued by Mr. Michael Malabag, President of the Public Employees Association who has voiced the Associations support for the push to introduce ICAC.

The TIPNG Board during its meeting last Sunday described the approach taken by the two senior government ministers as very positive and would support them to advance the ICAC concept and have it implemented. Chairman Peter Aitsi said TIPNG lobbied strongly for ICAC in 1998. This earlier submission was endorsed by the Government and tabled in parliament the same year however was not voted and subsequently shelved.

The commitment by Dr. Marat and Dr. Temu demonstrate that PNG is indeed serious about honouring its commitment to the United Nation’s Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) which the Government signed and ratified last July.

Chairman Aitsi said that TIPNG was pleased to see ICAC being pushed once again by public organisations most recently through the Environmental Law Centre and CIMC. This increased public support has subsequently placed the ICAC once again on the Government’s agenda. He urged the mandated organisations to ensure sufficient research is carried out to properly determine the viability of an ICAC in PNG so as to inform our thinking to the appropriate model of Anti Corruption agency that will work best for PNG.