By HARLYNE JOKU

CORRUPTION in PNG will reach a dangerous trend if leaders and public servants implicated are not prosecuted, prominent lawyer Dr John Nonggorr said yesterday.

Dr Nonggorr warned there may be a rise in public disorder including violence, when there is widespread recognition amongst Papua New Guineans, especially the youth, that corruption permeates through the Government bureaucracy, Government bodies and political leadership and nothing was done about it.
“It is dangerous because corruption is a criminal offence,” Mr Nonggorr said.
“And there is nothing being done about it. This is a serious indictment on the ability of the State and its institutions,” Dr Nonggorr, who is also a board member of TI PNG, said when commenting on PNG’s ranking, which fell by 13 places.
Dr Nonggorr said the implications of widespread corruption domestically must not be underestimated.
He said it had serious consequences for governments, governance and the continued functioning of a State.

Dr Nonggorr said that with basic public services such as schools, hospitals, roads and bridges in a deplorable state throughout the country, the inability of the State to protect public property by preventing corruption, would lead to the loss of respect for the State, its institutions and authority generally.
“This would give rise to public disobedience, which may demonstrate itself in public disorder including violence. In PNG, we must not forget violent action in neighbouring countries such Solomon Islands and Tonga against businesses. Already there is disquiet in PNG towns,” Mr Nonggorr said, in reference to disorder experienced in Mt Hagen.
He added that the public and youth already could perceive corruption in State institutions and political leadership, where only a few people were getting richer and living comfortably, while schools and health services were deteriorating each year.
“This is a dangerous situation for a small country like PNG,” Dr Nonggorr said.



 

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