The Minister for ICT and Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu, has condemned derogatory social media remarks against Miss Papua New Guinea, May Torovi Hasola, regarding her skin color and background.
Mr. Masiu, a strong advocate for responsible digital behavior, expressed outrage over the attack, calling it an unacceptable reflection of a morally declining society.
“These hurtful remarks are not just directed at May and her family but also at all Bougainvilleans and those with Bougainvillean heritage. Such behavior is deplorable, and I challenge those responsible to come forward and publicly justify their actions.”
He emphasized that Miss Hasola, a courageous young woman, proudly represented the country at the Miss Pacific Pageant in the Solomon Islands.
Her dedication and achievements highlighted the unity of Papua New Guinea’s diverse cultures and languages.
Mr. Masiu urged the authorities to investigate the source of the malicious comments, emphasizing that all citizens must respect individuals striving to bring pride to the nation in their respective fields.
He assured the public that he would collaborate with the Minister for Police to apply cybercrime laws and tracking technology to identify those responsible.
He also warned social media users that online abuses are being monitored and will be met with legal consequences.
“I strongly denounce this shameful attack and demand an apology. Miss Hasola and her family do not deserve this mistreatment. Her father, a doctor dedicated to saving lives, should not be subjected to such unwarranted criticism. This incident highlights an unsettling decline in our values as a society.”
As the Member for South Bougainville, Mr. Masiu reaffirmed his immense pride in Miss Hasola’s achievements and wished her continued success and he acknowledged the longstanding excellence of Bougainvillean women in the Miss PNG competition, suggesting that envy might be a driving force behind such derogatory remarks.
Miss Hasola’s contributions to the nation remain a source of pride, and Mr. Masiu urged Papua New Guineans to uplift and support their representatives rather than tarnish their efforts with baseless negativity.