The Papua New Guinea (PNG) diplomat in the spotlight of Taiwan’s media for the assault of his wife and a hotel staff in the capital Taipei, is being immediately called back by the Department of Foreign Affairs. Minister for Foreign Affairs Justin Tkatchenko, this afternoon in a press conference before heading off to New York city in the United States for the UN General Assembly meet, confirmed that the diplomat and his family will return to PNG very soon and the diplomat will be dealt with here by the department.
The minister also confirmed that this is not the first time this diplomat has committed an offence in Taiwan. “He was also found being intoxicated driving a vehicle and as well as assaulting his wife. Two separate incidents committed by the same person, which is just deplorable and inexcusable for a diplomat to do so,” said the minister. Minister Tkatchenko also added that the PNG government has already apologized to the Taiwanese authorities for the shameful behaviour of this PNG diplomat.
Meanwhile, Minister Tkatchenko said the department is doing a complete review of all the PNG missions, High Commissions, Embassies and Consular Generals throughout the world to assess their performances. He said the review should see which ones are active in generating positive results for PNG going forward and which ones are not an should be shutdown.
“So, we are doing a complete review and I hope to have that complete by the end of the month and ready for October to do some tough decisions moving forward.” He said the aim here is to cut cost and have the right Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Consulates open for the benefit of the country.