Saturday, May 31, 2008

Taiwan cash-for-recognition scandal

A lot of questions remain unswered over the Taiwan cash-for-recognition scandal which has led to the resignation two senior Taiwan officials including a foreign minister!

While Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has assured Opposition rival Sir Mekere Morauta an investigation will be done, will we see another Moti Affair-like situation in Papua New Guinea which in the end will lead to no where?

It is a shame state insitutions such as the Ombudsman Commission and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary will continue to turn a blind eye this scandal as well as various others while ordinary Papua New Guineans continue to feel the full brunt of the law by getting thrown in jail for petty offences such as stealing tinned fish and rice from a shop.

What has the Ombudsman Commission done with its own investigations into the Moti Affair? Can departing Chief Ombudsman Ila Geno, whose contract ends this month, enlighten the Papua New Guinea public on the findings of their investigation?

What about national politicians who won public office on a platform of eradicating corruption? When will they make a stand on issues affecting the lives of all Papua New Guineans such as this? Or are they cowards and enjoying the high life in public office and have forgotten their primary responsibility - fight for the right of their voters and push for a corruption-free Papua New Guinea.