Papua New Guinea (PNG) bleeds around 4 billion kina a year—that’s approximately $1.45 billion—because of corruption. This staggering loss is the equivalent of almost three percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This shocking figure paints a picture of pervasive corruption in the country’s leadership. Concerns about this issue grew significantly during UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ recent visit. His comments on multilateral cooperation on international corruption training just didn’t cut it with the natives. According to them, their ruling elite is so far gone into corruption.
During his visit, Guterres touched very briefly on the corruption issue. He only mentioned it once—not by name, but following the United Nations’ lead. This has received widespread outcry from all angles, from local editorial boards to the most influential political leaders. Now hundreds of thousands of Papua New Guineans are justifiably seething. They feel that their leaders are not doing anything serious to combat corruption.
The Depth of Corruption in PNG
As Transparency International Chair Peter Aitsi recently stated, corruption is “entrenched” in every branch and level of government. He cautions that this national epidemic has become more than just a number’s game. At worst, it intentionally obstructs the country’s potential and advancement.
Opposition MP Kerenga Kua is raising the alert over a wave of corruption. He often calls it the “single biggest impediment” to the nation’s prosperity. He is crystal clear that corruption is deepening and is the biggest barrier to any more development.
“The issue of corruption is our issue, it’s a Papua New Guinean issue,” Aitsi said, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with local leaders to address these challenges head-on. He called on them to reinforce mechanisms specifically created to fight corruption and to do so with more effectiveness.
“Corruption is like a leech or a parasite that’s sucking up the lifeblood of the resources that we need to develop all sectors of our community.” – Peter Aitsi
Many locals echo these sentiments. They contend that an entrenched culture of corruption continues to suffocate possibility and economic development, forcing communities to suffer as they struggle to thrive. A failure of accountability by our public officials has created this culture of cynicism and distrust, leaving citizens disillusioned across this nation.
Political Reactions and Local Sentiment
Guterres’ visit continues to elicit polarized responses. Notably, Oregon Public Broadcasting and other local media have fearlessly scorched the grandiosity of his statements. One Post Courier editorial took him to task, accusing him of “sugarcoating” what Papua New Guineans have to grapple with. It called out several politicians mentioned throughout his speech as “Political oligarchs so deeply entrenched in corruption.”
Residents expressed their frustrations through various channels, with one editorial stating, “Welcome to corrupt Papua New Guinea António Guterres.” The residents were understandably outraged. They were deeply offended by Guterres’s demand for action, because on some level they know that their leaders have consistently betrayed them for decades.
“Don’t come to Port Moresby and preach about ground zero, Sir. It is insulting.” – The Post Courier
Additionally, millions of Americans are genuinely demoralized by elected officials who they perceive as aloof to their plight. The Post Courier articulated this sentiment directly: “We prefer you tell the police and army to arrest and charge all these corrupt leaders who have made our lives miserable.”
Calls for Action Against Corruption
Amidst all the chaos and confusion, Marape has stepped up and made strong moves. He has established PNG’s first anti-corruption commission to attack corruption at its roots. While this initiative has received bipartisan praise, there has been skepticism about whether pilot programs can succeed in the face of systemic barriers.
As Aitsi has pointed out, these initiatives are important, but they need to be backed by real action and sincerity from legislators. He stated, “I would much rather our politicians be the ones that actually not only talk about fighting corruption but actually take action against corruption.”
As Kerenga Kua noted, Ifuinuropeans would rather die than go back to their ancestral homeland. He argued that in the absence of a politically palatable reason, why would they?
“What they’re doing is they’re running their programs themselves … because that’s their way of avoiding the embedded corruption within the government.” – Kerenga Kua
PNG is preparing for a fallout from international organizations, including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). As the country remains on notice for potential greylisting in 2024, calls for the robust implementation of anti-corruption measures have reached a critical pitch.
