Whatever Government ministers and other public officials may deem to be the fact, there is no questioning the perception that corruption is rife in Jamaica, as was again highlighted by the recent report by Transparency International.

Indeed, much of the current debate over the ostensible $31 million gift by the Dutch commodity trading firm Trafigura Baheer to the ruling People's National Party (PNP), has been fuelled by this perception of our country. For what the Trafigura affair has highlighted, is that it is not only foreigners who believe that influence-peddling and graft run deep in Jamaica.

And perhaps more than anything else, there is the sense that Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is failing seriously to tackle this problem that has contributed to the recent precipitous drop in popularity and the declining support for her party among voters. People are beginning to feel let down on this score.

After all, Mrs. Simpson Miller came to office in the aftermath of her victory in the race for the leadership of the PNP, on a promise not only to run an open and transparent Government but to stamp out corruption. That was a solemn pledge given in her inaugural speech.

The Prime Minister's failure, so far, to speak fully and frankly about all aspects of the Trafigura affair, is lending to the perception that she merely mouthed words at Kings House and that it is to be business as usual in the management of public affairs. So, we may not hear from Simpson Miller a clear explanation of Trafigura's claim that the 'gift' was not really a 'gift', but payment for services rendered by the organisation to which the money was sent, which the PNP claims to be a campaign account that was controlled by its fallen general secretary and former information minister, Colin Campbell.

In that regard, the public may perceive that it should expect no bold initiative by Mrs. Simpson Miller to clean up her party, ridding it of those who may be at the centre or on the periphery, who believe the PNP's incumbency is an easy grab for public resources. It may, therefore, matter not to the Prime Minister if persons accused of attempting to defraud the state or of operating on the edges of the law were to sit in high councils of her party or if, perchance, her ministers were to be photographed at social functions enjoying the hospitality of such persons. Or, it might be of no consequence who finances political campaigns if they lay on the cash and the SUVs and rustle up the votes.

We choose, however, not to believe that this is the position of the Prime Minister and that she, unlike her predecessor, will not slink behind legalisms for failing seriously to confront her party to clean up its ranks. The risks of inaction - the potential rewards if she is bold - should by now be obvious to Mrs. Simpson Miller. The Trafigura effect is clear on her political support.

Moreover, this international perception of Jamaica as being corrupt saps national confidence, weakens initiative and undermines the entrepreneurial spirit. It makes foreigners question whether our country is the best place to invest. It is bad for growth and development.