22/07/2026
Cardinal Sir John Ribat
"Weak Law Enforcement Empowers Corruption"
Cardinal Ribat has been very direct about PNG’s corruption problem. In his strongest statement as church leader, he said PNG’s problems today come from deep-rooted corruption and called for police to have clear powers to arrest corrupt politicians.
His point:
- Weak and corrupt governments become breeding grounds for illegal activities that cause massive suffering
- When law enforcement is weak, under-resourced, or interfered with, it lets corruption continue unchecked
- That weakness shows up in everyday life: roads and schools not built, clinics closing, crime unchecked.
Other leaders have echoed the same. The PNG Law Society president said systems to address corruption already exist, but "strong leadership has been lacking." The National also pointed out that political interference, nepotism, and bribery have become entrenched because accountability is low.
What did he speak out?
1. Impact on people: Corruption isn’t just about money. It means students sitting on bare floors, mothers giving birth on hospital floors, and communities with no services
2. Institutions need protection: Groups like the Ombudsman Commission, Auditor-General, and judiciary need to be empowered and protected from interference to prosecute cases without fear
3.Public trust is breaking: When elites appear "above the law" and prosecution rates are ∼20%, people lose faith.
The Catholic Professionals Society of PNG also backed his call, demanding that law and justice institutions take control of the breakdown in justice and good governance.
