11 Nov 2009

PNG's TI welcomes inquiry into May riots

11:04 am on 11 November 2009

The anti-corruption organisation, Transparency International, in Papua New Guinea is commending proceedings of an inquiry into the May riots.

The Chinese targetted demonstrations were followed by the ransacking of Chinese-owned stores first in Port Moresby, followed by Lae and then in the Highlands, which killed at least three people.

A cross section of the community is to speak before the committee that's to find out the root causes for the violence.

A union, the immigration and labour department and others have already appeared before the inquiry.

The organisation's chair,Transparency International, Peter Aitsi, says time will tell how successful the investigation will be.

"The inquiry itself in terms of its establishment is a positive sign. But it's really in terms of what happens after the inquiry that is probably the most important thing. And so, our focus would be on findings that come out and the report that's being produced as a consequence of the inquiry really need to be implemented."

Peter Aitsi says the organisations that are found to be deficient need to be held accountable.