Parliament got off to a slow start this afternoon in Port Moresby city for the November session, but once things were underway, the issue of law- and- order once again dominated question time with the MP for Wabag, Dr. Lino Tom asking what the police minister is doing to address it.
Dr. Lino’s questions mostly stem from the law-and-order issues in the Enga province and some parts of the Highlands region that continue to experience tribal conflicts and other forms of crime, including misconduct at public administrations and corruption.
He also questioned why there have been a lack of arrests of perpetrators of conflicts, despite the suspects known to law enforcement authorities, questioning also the capacity of the police force to diligently carry out its constitutional duties without fear or favour.
Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr said the Marape- Rosso Government continues to do its best, highlighting some of the efforts and initiatives being undertaking, including intelligence with the US government, police reservists training partnership with provincial governments, and recruitment of regular police personnel.
The minister said the government is doing this to beef up police manpower and the capacity to address the matter of law- and- order going forward, but perhaps the most important of all is a domestic terrorism bill in which he will be presenting to parliament tomorrow.
“This is what we are doing already and so when you are asking of our plans going forward, I will be bringing a bill tomorrow that will help our policemen to elevate how we are going to counter situations that we deemed are to be an act of terrorism, and I will expect everyone to support that bill going forward,” said Minister Tsiamalili.