Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a resource-rich country, with vast mineral and oil reserves, but it is also notorious for its high levels of corruption. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), corruption costs PNG's economy over 10% of its GDP, or about US$1.5 billion per year.
Corruption in PNG undermines public trust in government, distorts markets, and erodes the rule of law, leading to political instability, economic underperformance and unhappy people.
Political will lacking - ICAC & NACD
The PNG government has taken some steps to address corruption in recent years, including the establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) and the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (NACD).
However, progress has been slow, and many argue that these institutions lack independence, resources, and political support to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases.
As a result, PNG continues to rank low in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index, currently ranking 130th out of 180 countries in 2023.
Systemic vs. Systematic Corruption in PNG
Corruption in PNG can be characterised as both systemic and systematic.
- Systemic Corruption: Systemic corruption refers to the deep-rooted and widespread nature of corruption in PNG's society and institutions, where corruption is embedded in social norms, practices, and networks. For example, as highlighted in a recent Devpolicy article, everyday corruption is common in PNG, where people offer bribes to avoid fines or gain access to public services. In many cases, people do not see this as wrongdoing but rather as a way of life, reflecting the lack of trust and confidence in public institutions.
- Systematic Corruption: On the other hand, systematic corruption refers to the organised and deliberate nature of corruption in PNG, where corruption is used as a tool to gain and maintain power, influence decisions, and extract rents from public resources. This type of corruption involves collusion between politicians, bureaucrats, and business elites, who use their positions to engage in illegal activities such as embezzlement, kickbacks, and nepotism. As pointed out in a PNG Attitude article, this form of corruption has been evident in recent high-profile cases, such as the UBS loan scandal, where politicians and public officials were accused of receiving bribes in exchange for a government loan.
Balanced Argument on Corruption in PNG
The issue of corruption in PNG is complex and multifaceted, and requires a comprehensive approach that addresses both the systemic and systematic aspects of corruption.
While the establishment of ICAC and NACD is a positive step, these institutions need to be adequately resourced and empowered to carry out their mandates effectively.
Importantly, political will and leadership are crucial in creating an environment where corruption is not tolerated and where institutions can operate independently and without fear of retribution.
At the same time, addressing systemic corruption in PNG requires a shift in mindset and cultural norms, where people are educated and encouraged to view corruption as a harmful and unacceptable practice.
As highlighted in the Devpolicy article, tackling everyday corruption in PNG requires not only punitive measures but also a focus on promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in decision-making processes. This requires a long-term and sustained effort to build trust in institutions and to create a culture of integrity and ethical behaviour.
Addressing systematic corruption in PNG
Finally, addressing systematic corruption in PNG requires addressing the underlying political and economic structures that enable and perpetuate corruption.
This involves promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement processes, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and reducing the concentration of power and resources in the hands of a few elites.
As argued in the PNG Attitude article (linked above), addressing systematic corruption requires a fundamental shift in the way PNG's political and economic systems operate, and this will require strong and sustained political leadership and a commitment to reform.
Conclusion
Corruption in PNG is a significant challenge that requires a multifaceted and sustained effort to address. The establishment of institutions such as ICAC and NACD is a positive step, but more needs to be done to ensure they are adequately resourced and empowered to carry out their mandates effectively.
To make progress in combating corruption, PNG must also address the underlying political and economic structures that enable corruption to persist. This involves:
- promoting transparency and accountability in public procurement processes,
- strengthening regulatory frameworks, and
- reducing the concentration of power and resources in the hands of a few elites.
All in all, the fight against corruption in PNG requires strong and sustained political leadership and a commitment to reform. It will not be an easy or quick process, but it is essential for the future prosperity and stability of the country.
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