Friday, January 16, 2009

What is Political Corruption? Is PNG in the game?


Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by private persons or corporations not directly involved with the government. An illegal act by an officeholder constitutes political corruption only if the act is directly related to their official duties. All forms of government are susceptible to political corruption.

Forms of corruption vary, but include bribery, extortion, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, graft, and embezzlement. While corruption may facilitate criminal enterprise such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and trafficking, it is not restricted to these organized crime activities. In Papua New Guinea, for example; corruption is so prevalent that it is expected when ordinary businesses or citizens interact with government officials. The end point of political corruption is a kleptocracy, literally "rule by thieves".
The activities that constitute illegal corruption differ depending on the country or jurisdiction. Certain political funding practices that are legal in one place may be illegal in another. In Papua New Guinea; , our government officials and elected members of parliament have broad or poorly defined powers, and the line between what is legal and illegal is difficult to draw.

The word "corruption" is synonymous with those in government or opposition in the three forms of government in Papua New Guinea as we see activities and dealings with our current leaders. It is so sad to see this happen to my country (PNG) that brought me up and had given me the best in the last 24 years of my life in PNG. I can't sit here and let my country going to the dogs. I must stand up and speak for the underprivileged, disfranchised, and the bulk of the ninety-five percent of the PNG population living in the rural areas. Among many avenues; this blog is one of them. I will continue to write and stand up for what is right for PNG.

Bribery around the world is estimated at about $1 trillion (£494bn), and the burden of corruption falls disproportionately on the bottom billion people living in extreme poverty


For Papua New Guinea's status on corruption on the international scene; click here


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