A Pangu Party-led government will prosecute corrupt leaders in its first 100 days in office - says Basil

PANGU Party leader and Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Sam Basil told the media in Port Moresby yesterday (25/05/17) that he would ensure that all outstanding investigated cases against leaders, both at the parliamentary and bureaucratic level, were dealt with.

Corruption cases would be pursued vigorously and some leaders may face jail time, Mr Basil, who is Bulolo MP, said.

He said the state of the economy was also high on the 100-day agenda if the voters put Pangu in office to form government.

Pangu Party, the oldest political party in PNG, has been a bitter opponent of the Peter O’Neill coalition government for the past five years.

“When we get into power and we find out where we are, we will announce our 100 days. Our 100 days will be very harsh,” Mr Basil said.

“All the outstanding cases and all the other issues about corruption, we have to deal with them to move forward, we cannot ignore them.”

“I don’t have the right to send people to jail, but what I mean is that we will make sure that everyone who has cases will have to answer for them.”

He said at the rate the country continues to borrow while in a caretaker government mode, does not bode well for an incoming government after the National Election.

“Our problem is the economy. We have to find out where our debt is so we can chart a way forward.”

“We have to make sure that we know how many loans we have, because we do not really know now. We are guessing K45 billion.”

Mr Basil said apart from both key undertakings, Pangu will also look to ensure Independent Commission Against Corruption gets first preference to be legislated.

“We want to announce many things that we want to do now, first of all we have bring back the taskforce and legislate ICAC.

“To make sure that ICAC comes into operation, Sam Koim will be brought back and he will start doing his job again. This is one of the things that we have failed to do,” Mr. Basil said,.

Sam Basil determined to kill corruption..................if PANGU forms the Govt.

Source: Post Courier.