Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) has welcomed the delivery of the Ombudsman Commission’s report on the extraordinary grant of Papua New Guinean citizenship to Djoko Tjandra.
It has been alleged that Tjandra, an Indonesian businessman, is a fugitive from his country and its justice system.
"Ombudsman Commission's report on Tjandra is important and TIPNG has highlighted the apparent abuse of power by government officials in awarding citizenship to this allegedly unqualified applicant since it became public knowledge in 2009," said Chairman of TIPNG Lawrence Stephens.
The Djoko Tjandra case was highlighted in a report of 20 Cases of National from 2007-2017 by TIPNG entitled "Lest We Forget- A Review of 20 Unresolved National Issues".
“It is enlightening to know that the Ombudsman Commission has delivered the long awaited
Tjandra report to the Speaker of the Parliament, Honourable Job Pomat. TIPNG welcomes the Speaker's assurance that the report will be placed on the public record.
“This, in TIPNG's opinion, is as it should be,” said Stephens.
The OC has exercised its power under Section 23 of the Organic Law of the Ombudsman Commission; by doing this the Speaker of Parliament is now compelled to present the report within 8 sitting days of Parliament.
TIPNG strongly believes that failure to keep the public informed creates the perception that Papua New Guinea is a country that fails to take reasonable steps to counter official corruption.
“To fix this perception, agencies such the Ombudsman Commission and the Office of the Speaker of Parliament must support the swift pursuit and justice,” states Stephens.
(Djoko Tjandra – Picture: Media Indonesia)