BACA urges Baki to act

A COALITION involving the Transparency International and business houses have slammed the arrest of lawyers and bankers doing their duty, and questioned Police Commissioner Gari Baki’s silence on the behaviour of his policemen, The National reports,

The Business Against Corruption Alliance (BACA) made this strong statement yesterday following the arrest of former chief executive officer of Bank South Pacific Garth McIlwain.

BACA said the harassment and jailing of bank employees and lawyers in the ordinary conduct of their employment duties were illegal and unacceptable.

It said they were frightening examples of what many perceived to be influence being exercised over elements of the police force by external factors.

“They are clear examples of the breakdown of the constitutionally guaranteed rule of law in PNG, and the police commissioner’s silence is a damning indictment of his conduct as commissioner,” BACA said in a statement sent to the media yesterday.

It said PNG was now confronted with a situation where the law was seen by many to be the victim of personal influence.

“Baki’s position as commissioner is untenable if he will not come out publicly and state categorically that this situation is unacceptable to him, that it will end, and that he will issue instructions and ensure his officers abstain from such activities,” BACA said.

It said the situation was threatening the effectiveness and fairness of the legal system, and the confidence of business and investors in PNG.

“It was also a threat to the democratic system and the rule of law, and lucrative large scale projects like the LNG project could be under threat.”

BACA urged Baki to hold an urgent meeting to address this issue.

It said the government and the commissioner must wake up to this threat and take drastic action.

Several attempts to get comments from Baki were unsuccessful.