Holding leaders accountable a must

 THE conviction of three MPs so far could be a triumph in the battle against misappropriation but at the same time raises other questions. 

Pomio MP Paul Tiensten is serving a nine-year jail term for misappropriation.  This week, Gulf Governor Havila Kavo was sentenced to 18 months for fraud.

Komo-Magarima MP Fran­cis Potape is awaiting sentencing following his conviction by the National Court.

This is a worrying trend.  It could be argued that the successful conviction of these high profile leaders and others to follow shows how effectively the responsible state agencies are performing. It could be a demonstration of a vibrant and impartial judiciary.  

In sentencing Kavo on Tuesday, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika told him that as the political head of the province he must take full responsibility for his actions.

Kavo was convicted with misappropriating over K131,000 of a trust fund account belonging to the Gulf Provincial Government. The money was used to pay what was said to be outstanding allowances for provincial executive council members. The judge ruled that the payment was improper and an abuse of process.

The repayment of the amount was merely partial remission of penalty for the crime in the eyes of the court because of the position of trust Kavo was in.

Potape has already been found guilty of similar misappropriation charges. In his case, K330,000 of the electorate’s money was used to pay himself and members of his JDPBPC.

Like Kawo, Potape has repaid all the money yet that did very little in preventing a conviction.

The successful conviction of leaders, particularly members of parliament shows the state entities entrusted with fighting corruption and ensuring accountable leadership are active and functioning.

It is good news for a country reeling under the burden of corruption.  PNG is perceived as among the most corrupt nations and the impartial and resolute stance on this vice by state agencies must give us some comfort.

We agree with the Deputy Chief Justice that parliamentarians like Governor Kavo have only themselves to blame when their dishonest and fraudulent dealing, especially with the use of public money catches up with them.

Yet, we dare say the convicted MPs might have acted not entirely out of their own volition but could possibly have caved in under pressure. 

It is a known fact that to be a politician in Papua New Guinea does not mean being merely a lawmaker.  It often involves trying to please supporters and voters for the very real reason of retaining one’s seat in the following election.

Throw in one or two consultants without duty statements into the crowd of supporters and you have a long line of people to entertain.

Half of the misappropriation cases involving MPs would be gone if they and the electorate accept that the role of a member of parliament is quite contrary to what they think it is. 

A better performing MP is one who lives among the people but is not susceptible to the dictates of friends, associates or supporters’ whims and fancy.  He or she is expected to lead under the law but not fall into the trap of pleasing people.

That has been the greatest downfall of so many politicians who are otherwise well meaning people who have genuinely set out to serve in their office. 

Had they remained private citizens, the three MPs would not have found themselves in the situation they are in. They chose to be leaders and their wrongdoing has resulted in them getting their due under the law.

Although the justice system has placed the onus of their actions wholly upon them individually, there are others who must shoulder part of the guilt. 

Parliament has amended the Criminal Code Act to increase the penalties to reflect the gravity of the consequences of misappropriation on the country.

Penalties for misappropriation range from 50 years to life imprisonment and this should be ample deterrent to all. 

Unless the electorate’s perception of a parliamentarian’s role is changed some promising leaders may be destroyed well before they have made their mark on the political landscape of the country.