15 Jun 2009

3,000 join anti-corruption march in PNG

1:38 pm on 15 June 2009

More than 3,000 Papua New Guineans turned out to march against corruption over the weekend, calling on their countrymen to stop using traditional custom as an excuse for lawlessness and graft.

Corporate teams, non-government organisations, public institutions, school children and citizens came together in the capital Port Moresby under the banner "Enough is Enough!"

The third and biggest march organised by Transparency International against corruption in PNG's also drew a few politicians, but none from the government.

The march was led by PNG's Governor General, Sir Paulias Matane.

Last year, TI ranked PNG as the most corrupt country in the Pacific and put it in 151st place out of 180 countries in a global survey.

Last month, the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare admitted community resentment over widespread corruption in PNG's police force and labour and immigration departments was one factor behind a spate of anti-Chinese attacks.