Basil asks why no action on Taiwan diplomatic scandal

Bulolo MP Sam Basil is asking why there have been no criminal investigations into Papua New Guinea of politicians implicated in the Taiwanese cash for diplomatic recognition scandal.

His call follows news that the authorities in Taiwan have announced new charges against a middleman in its failed bid to buy diplomatic recognition from PNG by using the Taiwanese people’s money.

"Why have authorities in PNG not investigated the sideline Prime Minister Michael Somare, Planning Minister Paul Tiensten, and Forests Minister Timothy Bonga,  who are all alleged to have met with the Taiwanese middlemen?” Basil said today.

"If Taiwan can investigate, charge, prosecute and convict people involved in this scandal at their end, what is the excuse for our own authorities not to have acted at this end?”

Prosecutors in Taiwan have indicted Wu Shih-tsai on breach of trust charges and recommended he be sentenced to four years jail for embezzling US$29.8 million in government funds.

The money was wired to a Singapore bank held by Wu and Ching Chi-ju in September 2006 to be used to establish diplomatic ties with PNG.

The funds were completely removed from the bank account between November and December 2006.

Wu is already serving a 30-month sentence after being convicted in 2008 on charges of forgery and making false accusations in relation to the PNG matter.

Investigations into other suspects in Taiwan, including the secretary-general of the national security council and a former minister are still ongoing. “The Taiwanese deal adds to other many issues such as the Moti saga, National Provident Fund saga and the list goes on,” Basil said.

 “Today many Papua New Guinean have lost faith in our own institutions and

are now asking many questions, even suggesting a neutral Police Commissioner or Chief Justice from abroad to come and take control of our institutions.

“I believe that there are politicians who are supposed to be prosecuted, dismissed or locked up in jail are now actively serving in parliament and that the situation itself is very scary, and the citizens must be concerned of this too.”