Punish foreign criminals severely, MP says in Parliament
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
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.
Comments
Post a Comment