Opposition Leader Don Polye has called on the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to explain the K20 million allocated in 2014 for the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In a media conference today, Polye claimed that the Prime Minister had no interest in fighting corruption in the country as a result of not establishing the ICAC.
“The Prime Minister when officially elected into the office as the chief executive officer of the country made a commitment to establish the ICAC.”
However, he said after three years in the office, the Prime Minister had done nothing for establishing the ICAC office.
Polye said an ICAC is important in the country as it deals with the private sector, business and others apart from the government which the Ombudsman looks into.
He challenged the PM to ‘walk the talk’ and stop preaching about fighting corruption as he (Polye) claimed the PM was not doing his job.
“What kind of government that talks about fighting corruption but in reality never fights but (gets) involved in corruptible practices,” Polye claimed.
He said the other organisation that needed government support is the Task Force Sweep which the government has been neglecting and not promoting them.
“Task Force Sweep did a good job in arresting and charging leaders especially MPs who have been involved in corruptible activities.
“This is the type of organisation the government must be rallying and supporting them and not trying to sabotage their work,” he said.
The Task Force Sweep was abolished by the government but was rejuvenated after the court order ordered for its re-establishment and the government’s support.
However, since then, the government has not been complying with the court order and is not supporting the Task Force Sweep.
Polye is calling on the Government and the Prime Minister to explain the K20 million that was being budgeted last year for the establishment of ICAC and supporting the Task Force Sweep to the people of PNG.