Opposition Leader Sam Basil says the freedom of speech that was enshrined in the constitution must be exercised freely without fear or favour.
Basil exclusively told Loop PNG that the money that was committed by government for various projects or commitments must be condition free.
He was responding to questions regarding the free education policy which some MPs are claiming to remove if students at the higher institutions take part in a protest to petition the Prime Minister to step down.
He said when MPs make commitments or sponsor students through various scholarships, the money used were public funds so cannot be given with conditions.
Basil said with Enga Governor Peter Ipatas’ decision on the Enga students, it is the provincial assembly’s prerogative therefore he cannot make any comments on that decision.
However, he still maintains that those sort of funds must be condition free.
Meanwhile, Basil is calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to make himself available and receive the petition from the University of Papua New Guinea students.
Classes have been disrupted for the past week with students boycotting and calling on O’Neill to surrender to relevant authorities for investigations.
However, O’Neill in a statement called on students to go back to class and resume normalcy at their various campuses.
O’Neill said he has the greatest respect for the students, their rights and all the academic institutions in the country.
When his government came into office in 2011, they committed to invest in education for the children because investments in quality education, and giving every child an education, is vital for the economic health, prosperity and unity of the country.
He urged them to ‘think before they act’ and not to allow others to use or influence them.