PNG's Opposition Leader, Douglas Tomuriesa, has called on Members of Parliament, particularly the Prime Minister and Ministers, to exercise caution before filing cybercrime complaints with the Police. This reminder follows a notable rise in cybercrime cases stemming from complaints made by the Prime Minister and other politicians regarding social media commentary. “It has become a worrying trend to see individuals expressing any form of criticism or comments against the Prime Minister or other government leaders getting arrested by police and having to defend themselves in court with minimal resources," said Tomuriesa, adding that while unsubstantiated criticism can be frustrating, it is a part of political life. “Yes, there are instances when unfounded claims with baseless allegations are made, but we must remember we all have critics, naysayers, and opponents who constantly challenge our leadership – this is a fundamental right in democracy to express discontent if required.” Tomuriesa raised concerns that the surge in cybercrime cases could intimidate the public from voicing their opinions about the government. “While I also urge the general public to be mindful, respectful, and constructive in their criticism toward leaders, I regret these cybercrime cases have been used as a tool to intimidate political opponents and, in addition, is unnecessarily consuming police time and resources when there are other serious cases that need attention.” “I have been in politics for over a decade and have been subject to countless criticisms. It can be frustrating, but the best response is to perform better to give the critics less to talk about," Tomuriesa said, drawing from his experience in politics, as he reiterated that while serious threats and defamation deserve investigation, the everyday criticisms can often be addressed without police intervention.