A call not to be taken lightly

 CHIEF Secretary to Government Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc yesterday called on the public to come forward with evidence that might help the government investigate allegations of wrongdoing or improper conduct associated some recent major government decisions.

It is a call that should not be taken lightly. 

In recent times the government has come under a barrage of criticism regarding a number of its decisions, especially decisions where millions of kina in public money are being transacted.

Some of the decisions that come to mind include road contracts worth hundreds of millions of kina, the UBS loan to finance Oil Search share purchase, and the K94 million purchase of power turbines from an Israeli group. 

The Opposition has led the criticism of these decisions, with leader Belden Namah going as far as laying a police complaint against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for possible official corruption charge or misappropriation.

What Sir Manasupe is concerned about is the level of innuendo and character assassination in social media, and to some extend the mainstream media, where individuals are making allegations about bribes being paid to government officials and politicians.

So saturated is social media with these allegations not backed by any evidence or facts that Sir Manusupe is concerned genuine efforts made by the Government to implement the National Anti-Corruption Strategy is being undermined.

No doubt, he would be worried that the image and integrity of government, and that of high profile politicians like the Prime Minister, is being tainted as a result of these rumours and allegations. It would not be unreasonable therefore for those in government to suggest that there may be a deliberate misinformation campaign being carried out, in the streets and in social media, to create a cloud of uncertainty and loss of confidence, to possibly force a political outcome.

It is in this light that the call by the Chief Secretary should be heeded by the public. Sir Manasupe said: “I respect people’s right to free speech, to criticise government decisions, and to debate policies in the public forum. 

“But if you are going to raise serious allegations about wrongful conduct, about the law being broken, you must back that up with evidence, and provide it to the appropriate agencies to investigate.”

We support this call. The advent of the internet means an increasing number of Papua New Guineans are having access to social media through their smartphones, computer laptops and tablets, on TV, radio and in newspapers.

Their minds can easily be swayed by allegations and rumours, especially if they are spread or circulated by people in positions of power or influence.

If individuals have evidence of individuals involved in improper or corrupt conduct, they must produce them to the proper authorities so they are properly investigated and appropriate actions taken against those people involved.

The Chief Secretary is the chairman of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Task Force. He was instrumental in setting up the Sweep Team, and is overseeing the setting up of Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and other anti-corruption initiatives like bringing the whistle-blower and freedom of information legislations.

When allegations about corruption and illegal payments in the Finance Department surfaced, the Government sent Sir Manasupe to Vulupindi Haus to clean up the department. He left no stone unturned. 

Several former senior officers of the department have been charged criminally and payments to a large law firm are the subject of a massive fraud investigation.

Anyone with information about improper conduct by anyone in the UBS loan deal, the Israeli power generators deal and the NCD road contracts, must heed the Chief Secretary’s call and turn over evidence to him so the relevant authorities can get to the bottom of it.

As the nation’s top bureaucrat, the Chief Secretary is adamant that the government machinery keeps rolling without unnecessary interference from people who may have axes to grind against the political leadership and the bureaucracy.