“I wish to address concerns that have been raised in news reports and social media commentary in recent days relating to our nation’s representation at the coronation of King Charles III and clarify on comments I have made in relation these internet trolls, who are individuals that threaten, abuse and bully people online.”
That’s from the statement of apology to the people of Papua New Guinea from the Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
This follows a viral video posted by his daughter documenting her travel accompanying her father to the recent Royal Coronation of HRH King Charles III in England over the weekend.
This sparked heated outrage amongst PNG citizens calling the Foreign Minister’s daughter’s travel a misuse of taxpayer funds.
An ABC Pacific Beat article then quotes Minister Tkatchenko response to this, who slammed the social commentary against Ms Tkatchenko, citing it as a traumatic experience for his daughter and cyber bullying from “primitive animals”.
Numerous calls have now ensued for the Minster to issue a public apology to PNG and further called for his resignation in the wake of such distasteful comments from Minister Tkatchenko.
The Minister further stated this apology by way of an official media release this evening.
“First and foremost, I would like to personally apologize about my comments that were taken the completely wrong way and make known that these comments were solely directed to the individuals that made these disgusting and vile comments about my daughter.”
“As a father to 6 beautiful children, your love for them is unconditional.”
“So, when one of your children gets attacked by people that have no respect for common decency, or the truth, it makes you very frustrated and angry.”
The Minister further added, “There were horrible threats of a sexual and violent nature, and disgusting words used that no woman should ever have to see, that were made against my daughter online.”
“Ultimately, my daughter is a person of her generation, the online generation, where they like to post everything about their lives online.”
Tkatchenko added that his daughter now realizes how the video was perceived which was not appropriate.
“Finally, I apologize once more to anyone that got offended by my comments and for the way this matter has transpired and is being perceived, but I said this as a father protecting his daughter.”