Thursday, 28 November 2024
Members of Parliament from both Government and Opposition benches voted unanimously in support of the Counter-Terrorism Bill 2024 as it made its passage through Parliament today.
The bill was passed 84-0, surpassing the required 60 ‘Absolute Majority’ votes needed for its passing into law.
In commending the Members, Prime Minister Hon. James Marape, called it “a monumental, milestone law”, given to Papua New Guinea to help arrest Law & Order challenges being experienced as the country prepares to turn 50 years in its sovereignty and begin on its next 50-year chapter.
He emphasised the Counter Terrorism law is targeted at preventing lawbreaking from happening, and covers many facets of ‘terrorism’ including modern-day crimes such as money laundering, and ICT-oriented crimes, as well as the traditional ones of tribal fights and their modern, gun-dominated versions taking place in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.
“This law was drafted in response to the need to empower our police to make them feel protected and empowered while they are in the thick of trouble enforcing the law, and is not intended to hold innocent people to ransom.”
Prime Minister underscored the importance of the law, stating it will change the status quo of police reacting to crimes, to police preventing crimes from happening, enabling the police to make sure people responsible for committing crimes and people responsible for sponsoring crimes pay their dues.
“ Enough is enough,” he stressed.
In addition the Prime Minister said there is sufficient data and intelligence on hotspots in the country, including on White Collar crimes.
“It is time we move into this space to modernise our police and empower our police personnel with this law.”
The Prime Minister clarified the Counter-Terrorism law does not give the Police Commissioner unfettered powers, however, it must be read in relation to other laws and the Criminal Code as it is anchored into the Constitution “which will always remain as the reference point”.
Meanwhile, the anti-terrorism task force set up by the Police Commissioner will also benefit from this law, which will provide members of the unit with better protection to enter crime hotspots, especially those with high firepower.
About 200 policemen are being mobilized and this is for areas with high prevalence of guns, tribal fights, civil disorder, and violence against women and girls relating to sorcery or other such crimes.
“This task force is a special rapid response, anti-terrorism squad which will be ready to attend to volatile and dangerous situations,” said PM Marape, adding that Government is also pro curing resources such as armoured vehicles to complement the work of the task force.
The Prime Minister is aware of the increased in the level of crime which has also become sophisticated with high prevalence of guns in the communities.
“ So we must get our police equipped both with resources and a good protective law that encourages police to work and protects them from being sued in their line of duty. As a society, our police must have the upper hand over criminals; it should not be the other way around.”
Through its readings and subsequent debating, the bill was supported by Members of Parliament from both Government and Opposition who argued for it as a much-needed intervention.
The outspoken Opposition Member for Sinasina-Yongamugl Hon. Kerenga Kua, strongly supported the bill, while recommending some amendments for clarity and stronger outcome.
Prime Minister Marape thanked the Member for Sinasina-Yongamulg as he commended all Members of Parliament for standing united to pass the bill.
He also appreciated the Police Minister, Hon. Peter Tsiamalili Jnr for his timely delivery of the bill to Parliament.
The Prime Minister called on all Members of Parliament and members of the community to study the new law and make recommendations for changes in the areas they feel could be strengthened.
Moreover, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Lands and Physical Planning and Immigration, Hon. John Rosso, will chair a bipartisan meeting early next year to look into any areas of this law, and Members of Parliament and members of the community may suggest further amendments so PNG can have a stronger law in addressing the Law & Order challenges in the country going forward into the future.