TIPNG queries diplomacy scam

 TRANSPERANCY International (TIPNG) has called on the PNG government to immediately revisit the Taiwan dollar-for-diplomacy scandal.

It said in a statement that Taiwan had prosecuted and was prosecuting its citizens over the scandal, PNG authorities and government had been very quiet.

Bulolo MP Sam Basil also raised similar questions recently, asking what investigations and actions the PNG government had initiated over the issue.

“The Taiwanese legal system has responded by investigating and, in one instance, imprisoning an individual involved. 

“Why have we seen no action in PNG? 

“It seems that PNG sleeps while Taiwan acts vigorously over this issue,” TIPNG said.

It said Basil had drawn the attention of PNG to a sad reality that the people of PNG not seeing effective investigation and prosecution of high-profiled crimes involving politicians and the elites.

Commenting on the Taiwan bribes-for-recognition scandal, TIPNG chairman Lawrence Stephens said such behaviour was irresponsible and not what the people of PNG expected.

“We have sufficient independent offices able to mount investigations into matters as serious as this. 

“We have international networks that are able to assist us in detecting crime and prosecuting those involved. 

“We have a right to know that our institutions are prepared to investigate crime and actually prosecute those involved,” Stephens said.

“To our shame, it seems government leaders in Taiwan, who decided to corrupt our leaders, have been punished. 

“What has our government and responsible institutions done about this issue? 

“It is time the government comes out and tell the people what it has done so far,” he added.