We must not forget corruption: Tomuriesa

By PETER ESILA
OPPOSITION Leader Douglas Tomuriesa says the country must not forget its battle against corruption.
Tomuriesa said it remained true today how former prime minister the late Sir Mekere Motauta described corruption in PNG as “systematic and systemic”.
Tomuriesa was joined by Opposition MPs James Nomane, Belden Namah and Maso Hewabi yesterday hoping to have talks with Prime Minister James Marape on economic issues.
However, Marape was away on duty travel.
“The influx of overnight millionaires, paper pushers, and cronyism is driving up an inequitable system,” Tomuriesa said.
“The cozy cronies are getting wealthier, while our low-income earners are getting poorer. It is sad to see corruption proliferate our society and in the highest levels of our land.”
He said tackling corruption was not a job for one man.
“We must not wait for Transparency International, Independent Commission against Corruption and the Ombudsman Commission to start the fight,” he said.
“We as individuals can stand up to this evil by discouraging it in our society, disassociating from those who benefit from it, and discrediting the people who facilitate it.
“Corruption continuous to be synonymous with PNG.
“In the Pacific, there is no other word that is used to describe PNG more than corruption.”
Nomane said the invitation to Marape about the talks was sent three weeks ago.
Another reminder was sent last Thursday.
He urged Marape to stop travelling and focus on fixing the economy because of the high unemployment rate, inflation and law and order.
“The problem with the Prime Minister is that he has been globe-trotting and domestic-trotting,” he said.
“As a Prime Minister, you need to sit in the office.
“You must have a war-room where you plan and strategise on how to run a country. You can’t run a country on the road.”