Kramer warns Government against dealing with shady foreign companies

The National Government has been cautioned not to engage international companies with shady backgrounds, or those facing potential criminal charges.

Madang MP Bryan Kramer issued this call during the grievance debate, after revealing in the recent Parliament sitting that a US company specializing in electronic polling and voting, and allegedly engaged by the Ministry of Administrative Services, was indicted in Miami, Florida.

Kramer says, while this was only an indictment, and everyone is innocent until proven guilty - it is important these declarations are made known.

His call comes as the government considers a biometric system for identification, to be used come the 2027 national general elections.

A press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Florida, dated October 16, 2025, sighted by NBC News, confirmed that 2 executives and others from the named company were indicted for allegedly paying about $1 million or about K4 million in bribes to an electoral official in the Philippines in their 2016 national elections " to obtain and retain business."

Kramer has called for a response by Minister Masere at the next sitting of Parliament.

The Member for Madang has also questioned the alleged engagement of an expatriate adviser by the Ministry of Administrative services.

Administrative Services Minister Richard Masere, in a point of order, clarified that the person referred to was not a consultant and neither was he paid by the state.

He added that the Government only sought his advice on whatever information was required.