Kramer addresses committee

JUSTICE Minister Bryan Kramer yesterday addressed the national coordinating committee of the anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing in Port Moresby.
According to a statement from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG), this was the first for a state minister to address the committee.
Kramer said with Papua New Guinea being rated as the most corrupt country in the region, he was keen to look into this malpractice that was eating into the society.
“Papua New Guinea is one of the most corrupt countries in the region on the issue of money laundering; I have personally seen millions of kina laundered through our system from my own enquiry,” he said.
“There is a great need for more work to be done in this area.”
Kramer said there were recent cases of money being laundered within the country, with investigations yet to be done.
He said many good people were prepared to put their job on the line and resign rather than compromise their integrity.
Kramer said others were happy to compromise their integrity because they wanted to keep their jobs.
“Anti-money laundering and counter terrorism financing is one of the priority areas where I’d like to see more transparent work being done,” Kramer said.
“Too many malpractices have occurred at all levels.
“That is how serious corruption is in our systems.”
Kramer told the committee that this year would be an interesting one as long as he was kept as justice minister so work could be done.