Punish foreign criminals severely, MP says in Parliament

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Punish foreign criminals severely, MP says in Parliament

PORT MORESBY: Oro Governor Gary Juffa says foreigners dealing with dangerous drugs and other criminal offences must be severely punished.

“What kind of message are we sending when a foreigner is found guilty of dangerous drug trafficking, is fined K10,000 and is allowed to walk free?” he asked.

Speaking in Parliament on Friday (Jan 13, 2023), Juffa said Papua New Guineans must be protected from such criminals and “we must tell the world that we are not open to such criminals and foreigners to come and do whatever they want and get away with it”.

The news break was reported by The National:

Stiff penalties sought for foreigners

January 17, 2023The NationalMain Stories

By BEVERLY PETER
ORO Governor Gary Juffa says foreigners dealing with dangerous drugs and other criminal offences must be severely punished.
“What kind of message are we sending when a foreigner is found guilty of dangerous drug trafficking, is fined K10,000 and is allowed to walk free?” he said.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Juffa said Papua New Guineans must be protected from such criminals and “we must tell the world that we are not open to such criminals and foreigners to come and do whatever they want and get away with it”.
“Dealing with Methamphetamine is a very serious offence, offenders are jailed several years, given the death penalty and other severe repunishments in other countries but Papua New Guinea (PNG) is only fining them and allowing them to walk free,” he said.
“The Chinese national who walked free after paying a fine is a wrong message to the world.”
Juffa urged Home Affairs Minister Peter Tsiamalili and Justice Minister Pila Niningi to look into the case, have the penalty appealed and ask for a more severe punishment to show that PNG was not open to such criminal activities.
“Meanwhile, Papua New Guineans who are caught with a gram of cannabis are severely beaten up, may even be shot, sent to jail and spend hard time for years while the foreigners are walking free.
“There is something wrong here and the ministers responsible must look into it and determine what to do with that foreigner,” he added.
He asked whether the labour department would look into his work permit and revoke it.
“Will the immigration look into it and see what type of visa he was granted and cancel it, arrange for his deportation? What’s going to happen to him? Or will he be allowed to stay here and operate at large, affecting women and children,” he said.
Juffa also asked what was being done to the Siri Lankans who were found running a sex syndicate in the country as per a newspaper report as well.
“Not to mention that the syndicate involved children. It is time we have to take a firm stand so that these types of people may not come in, exploit our children and walk free,” he added.
He said there used to be a Trans Crime Investigation Organisation consisting of immigration and police but “it looks like it is not in operation anymore”.
“This organisation should be expanding to look into such cases in times when the country is growing and expanding with trans economic opportunities.
“Instead, it is diminishing with no funds allocation.
“It is time we send right the message that PNG is not a place where foreigners and cartels can come and do as they pleased and walk out free,” Juffa said.
Morobe governor Songang Luther Wenge said drug abuse endangered women and children and must be serioiusly looked into.
Niningi in response told The National that this issue was of national importance and he would look into it.
He said he would advise the public prosecutor to follow up with the necessary approach in the case.