Government must act on alleged Taiwan Diplomacy Scandal
TIPNG Press Release
The Government’s inaction and prolonged silence over the alleged “Taiwan Dollar for Diplomacy scandal” since its revelation by the media months back is an attack on the people rights and generates further doubt in the minds of the Community in the commitment of this Government to seriously deal with corruption.
The story of the scandal has resurfaced through the Post Courier (15/10/08) and also in the Taiwan News website (Tuesday 14/10/08) with a story carrying the headline “Taiwan court to deliver Papua New Guinea scandal verdict on Oct 23”
While the scandal case has gone into its secondary stage in Taiwan with those allegedly involved resigning or going to court over the allegations, the government of Papua New Guinea has not acted.
TIPNG Chairman Peter Aitsi says the Government must step in and institute immediate investigations instead of being silent over allegations of Papua New Guineans involvement while relating events unfold in Taiwan.
“There have been resignations and court cases over this issue in Taiwan with those if found guilty are likely to cop a 6 year term in prison, what action will the PNG Government take if the Taiwan court exposes that individuals from Papua New Guinea also shared in these corruption monies,” he questioned.
He said while there is a lot of rhetoric about the government’s commitment to good governance and anti corruption strategies, its inaction on major issue such as the Diplomacy scandal speaks otherwise.
According to reports in the Taiwan News, Taipei District Court summoned former Minister of Foreign Affairs James Huang and former counselor Chang Chiang-sheng as witnesses in the trial of diplomatic mediator Wu Sih-tsai indicted for document forgery
TIPNG is calling on the government to investigate the reported involvement of six Papua New Guineans to be named in a court affidavit in Taiwan for reportedly taking bribes in order to maintain transparency and good governance practices.
On the 23rd of October when these documents are tabled in the Taiwanese courts we hope the names of these 6 individuals can then be made public, so that they may provide answers to their role in this sorry saga.
For any press enquiries please contact
Henry Yamo
T: (675) 320 2188
E: [email protected]
