Lae, Morobe Province:  The Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), Don Sawong (Retired Judge), has delivered a strong and timely message to public officials, urging them to place integrity at the centre of decision-making as Papua New Guinea continues its development journey.

Addressing a gathering of government representatives, public servants, and development partners in Lae during the Commissioners’ Regional Breakfast for the Momase, ADC Sawong emphasised that while corruption enforcement remains critical, the country’s long-term success depends on prevention and that responsibility rests heavily with those who work within the public service.

ADC Sawong started his remarks by acknowledging the critical role public officials play in shaping how government functions daily.

“Government only becomes real through the actions, decisions, and judgment of public servants and political leaders,” he stated.

From managing files to approving payments and ensuring service delivery, he stressed that it is the everyday decisions made within government offices that determine whether public resources are transformed into meaningful outcomes for citizens.

Established under a constitutional mandate, the ICAC operates through prevention, education, and enforcement. While investigations and prosecutions often draw public attention, ADC Sawong highlighted that these occur after damage has already been done.

“The real solution is prevention,” he said, noting that corruption must be stopped before it begins in the decision-making processes of individuals across all levels of government.

He challenged the narrative that Papua New Guinea’s development challenges stem from a lack of resources.

“Papua New Guinea is not a poor country,” he said.

“We are a resource-rich nation with extraordinary natural wealth and a young, growing population.”

Despite this, many citizens continue to lack access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. He described this as a “conversion problem”, the failure to translate national wealth and budgets into tangible benefits for the people.

Bringing attention to real-life consequences, ADC Sawong shared everyday scenarios faced by ordinary Papua New Guineans:

• Mothers travelling long distances to health facilities only to find no medicines available
• Students learning in under-resourced classrooms
• Farmers unable to access markets due to poor infrastructure
• Communities waiting years for promised projects that remain incomplete

“These are not abstract issues,” he said.

“They reflect a breakdown in service delivery  and behind each outcome is a chain of decisions made within the system.”

While acknowledging political influence, ADC Sawong made it clear that public servants are central to implementation outcomes.

“Corruption rarely begins in dramatic moments,” he explained.
“It begins quietly,  in approvals, in exceptions, and in signatures placed on official documents.”

At the heart of this issue, he said, is a simple but critical question every public officer must ask:

“Am I making this decision honestly, in accordance with law and public interest?”

ADC Sawong emphasized that integrity is not separate from decision-making , it is the decision itself. Each signature, he said, carries personal responsibility and long-term consequences.

“In Papua New Guinea, your name matters,” he noted.

“Your reputation is tied to your actions, and accountability can come years after a decision is made.”

He warned that pressure, authority, and instructions do not shield individuals from accountability.

“Only integrity protects you,” he said.

“When scrutiny comes, no one stands beside your signature.”

The Acting Deputy Commissioner also highlighted the personal cost of unethical decisions, including loss of employment, legal consequences, and damage to reputation.

He stressed on the broader impact on families and communities, describing corruption not just as a technical issue, but a deeply human one.

ADC Sawong reaffirmed that the ICAC is actively investigating and prosecuting corruption cases, and that accountability applies to everyone, regardless of position.

“Accountability does not expire,” he stated.

“Decisions made today can be revisited many years later.”

Despite the challenges, ADC Sawong reminded officials that they hold significant power to influence outcomes.

“Public servants are not powerless. You are the custodians of implementation,” he said.

He encouraged officials to remain firm under pressure and to remember their duty to serve the public, not personal or political interests.

As a guiding principle, ADC Sawong offered a straightforward question for decision-making:

“Can I defend this decision in ten years’ time — before my colleagues, my community, and my family?”

If the answer is no, he warned, it is a decision that should not be made.

The Acting Deputy Commissioner also urged officials to report wrongdoing rather than remain silent, noting that the ICAC provides confidential reporting channels and protections for those who come forward in good faith.

Concluding his address, the Acting Deputy Commissioner called for a collective commitment to integrity, reminding attendees that national progress is shaped by everyday decisions.

“Corruption is not built in a single moment, and neither is integrity,” he said.

“Both are built slowly, one decision at a time.”

“Act with honesty. Stand firm under pressure. Protect your name. Because your integrity is not just a professional requirement – it is your legacy,” concluded.