Prime Minister James Marape has directed the Police and Department of Communications & Information Technology to immediately investigate the cyber-bullying on Miss Papua New Guinea May Hasola and have the offenders arrested, with a progress report to his office by next week. PM Marape also condemned the actions in the strong terms and called on Papua New Guinean users of social media to use these platforms responsibly or Government could be forced to take drastic measures. “Miss Hasola, who recently participated in the Miss Pacific Pageant held in Solomon Islands, has been attacked in a spate of Facebook highly inflammatory and racially charged posts, which have recently included her parents as well." In a letter of instruction to the agencies Thursday morning, the Prime Minister directed an immediate joint investigation into the incident, while calling on ICT department and police to work together to strengthen cyber-attacks on young women which have become prevalent recently. Mr. Marape also issued a public apology to Miss Hasola and her parents, and the people of Bougainville for the distress these derogatory comments have caused them. He said as a father of girls and the symbolic father to all daughters of PNG, he is aggrieved to read these highly inflammatory and derogatory remarks and strongly condemn these cyber-attacks against Miss May Hasola. “Miss Hasola has done a wonderful job representing Papua New Guinea at the Miss Pacific pageant. This is a platform that works to unite our people of the Pacific no matter who wins or does not win." It is very unfortunate that some debased individuals have sought to racially discriminate her, and have caused distress and disharmony to this platform. In 2019, Miss PNG Leoshina Kariha, who also comes from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, went on to win the Miss Pacific title and continues to excel in education and career. This is the lay of the Miss Pacific platform – sometimes PNG will win; other times, it will not. Competition is high among the contestants as all of them are highly educated at tertiary-education level and present themselves equally well on stage. "On behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea, I want to sincerely apologize to Ms Hasola, her parents, and the people of Bougainville for the distress these unwarranted attacks have caused them,” PM Marape said. He added that his office is working to coordinate a time so Mrs Marape and myelf can see Miss Hasola in person, and offer our apologies and strength to keep her head up. “She has proudly represented our country. But let me assure the public that word is now out for the police and ICT to track these offenders down, have them arrested, and criminally charged and prosecuted." "My instruction is that I expect a report to me by Monday next week,” said PM Marape. The Prime Minister said as the ICT department works at identifying and registering users in PNG to put in better regulation of social media in PNG, Papua New Guineans must learn to use these ICT tools responsibly or Government would be forced to shut down Facebook and Tiktok altogether if cyber-attacks of this nature continue.