O’Neill calls out forces to stop ‘spread of unrest’

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – Facing a parliamentary vote of no confidence yesterday, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister has urged people to recognise the importance of stability, as the country’s police chief calls out the Defence Force to stop civil unrest.

PNG’s National Security Advisory Council is also establishing a taskforce to investigate those behind civil disobedience, as protests against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill spread beyond the country’s universities.

Some professional groups in Papua New Guinea want O’Neill to step down over corruption allegations and have been threatening to disrupt services by staying at home.

Pilots have been calling in sick and flights have been cancelled. Health workers are also threatening to strike.

It follows weeks of student boycotts at universities, which led to violent clashes between students and the police and university security.

On July 12 the Supreme Court ordered PNG’s Parliament to resume sitting and allow debate on an Opposition motion for a vote of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

MPs were recalled and the parliament was set to sit on yesterday to allow the vote. The outcome had not been reported by the time CI News went to press.

O’Neill has been standing firm in the face of pressure to resign and said he was seeking further legal advice after the court’s decision.

“I urge my fellow citizens right across the nation to appreciate just how vital political stability is to our future,” he said.

“The reckless behaviour by the opposition must not put our stability, and our future, at risk.”

PNG’s Police Commissioner said he was calling out the Defence Force to assist his officers.

He said soldiers will be given the status of special constables for the duration of the new National Joint Security Taskforce.

The chairman of the National Security Advisory Council, Isaac Lupari, said the taskforce would investigate threats to national security,

“From politicians, from landowners, from the public, from students, from the public servants, right through,” he said.

“Any members of the community who issue threats, they will be investigated by the taskforce which we’ve established.”

Papua New Guinea’s deputy opposition leader says his bloc has pursued a no confidence motion against the Prime Minister because the country can’t wait for the election next year.

Deputy opposition leader, Sam Basil, said with universities shut down by protests, and other services threatening to strike the country is in crisis and can’t wait another year for a change of leadership.

“I think the current situation in Papua New Guinea is crying out for a change. O’Neill is a fighter, he will not go down without fighting but we are very adamant that he has done enough damage to this country and he has to go. Papua New Guineans all over are now asking for the Prime Minister to step down.”

O’Neill said he is confident he will survive the motion, dismissing it as a costly attempt by the opposition to cause instability for the sake of political self-indulgence. - PNC sources