Reginald Renagi | Post Courier Yu Tok | 27th May 2025
After 50 years of independence, Papua New Guinea’s democracy remains hijacked by political corruption and slush funding disguised as service delivery through the District and Provincial Services Improvement Programs (DSIP and PSIP).
These funds, once intended to empower rural development, have instead entrenched political patronage and enabled systemic corruption. Billions of kina have flowed into the hands of MPs without transparency or accountability, while most citizens remain trapped in poverty and neglect.
Despite countless promises, no Prime Minister has ensured full public acquittals of these funds.
The result is a political culture driven by money, not public service — a betrayal of our Constitution and democratic values.
Courageous leaders like Governors Gary Juffa and Allan Bird, and MPs James Donald, Keith Iduhu, and James Nomane, have spoken out against this abuse. It is time to unite their voices and rally Parliament to abolish DSIP and PSIP before the 2027 national elections.
A Two-Year Action Plan for Reform:
Establish a Parliamentary Select Committee in 2025 to audit all PSIP/DSIP spending since 2007.
Draft and pass legislation by 2026 to abolish DSIP/PSIP and return to consolidated funding via Provincial Assemblies, under strict accountability frameworks.
Mandate independent audits and annual public disclosures of development spending.
Bar MPs involved in misappropriation from contesting future elections.
Hold provincial budget forums to involve citizens in setting local development priorities.
Enact election reforms to end vote-buying and restore fair political competition.
Papua New Guinea must no longer tolerate a sham democracy built on broken promises and corrupt practices.
We must dismantle the slush fund model and rebuild our governance on integrity, transparency, and national unity.
The time for token reform is over.
Let us act now to ensure that, in 2027, we elect honest and accountable leaders who serve the people — not themselves.
This is not just political reform. It is a battle for the soul of our nation.