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02/07/2008 22:34:12 Calls for probe into alleged secret PNG logging deals
Papua New Guinea
In Depth
 
Papua New Guinea's opposition party is calling for an immediate investigation into allegations of secret deals between a government minister and Asian logging companies totalling millions of dollars.

Our PNG correspondent, Steve Marshall, says it is alleged a government minister has more than $US40 million sitting in a Singapore account from deals struck with Asian companies exporting logs.

PNG's Post Courier newspaper says the secret payments started in 2002 with instalments being made every time a shipment of logs left PNG.

Opposition leader and former prime minister, Sir Mekere Morauta, is calling for a full investigation.

"It is a very clear example of what I have been saying for some time - corruption is systemic and it's institutionalised," he said.

The deputy prime minister, Dr Puka Temu, has demanded the newspaper provide evidence.

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