Planned protest will proceed, says Kiap

Social activists are assuring the public that the planned protest on Monday, May 9th, at Unagi Oval, will still proceed.

Set to start at 9am, the protest is in support of the country’s universities calling on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to step down and face serious corruption allegations charges.

Chairman of the PNG Anti-Corruption Movement for Change Lucas Kiap said they have notified the NCD metropolitan police Commander Ben Turi in a formal notice on Thursday, requesting him to provide escort and security to ensure that they stage a successful yet peaceful protest.

They are not expecting the police force to stop or interfere with the peaceful protest despite Turi refusing the request, said the chairman.

Kiap stated that the group’s intentions are noble, pure and for the greater good of this country. Any attempt to stop the protest will be seen as continued suppression of the group’s constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly by the political class through the police force.

"These are the very essence of our democracy, without which there is no longer democracy, as we can see," Kiap says.

Meantime, he warns that the police should also be aware of a National Court order in force by Justice David Cannings.

Kiap explains that the court order was successfully obtained by Noel Anjo and currently prevents members or any member of the police force from interfering, harassing or intimidating members or any member of the public from conducting a peaceful protest.

He adds that Turi has allegedly breached the court order, which is scheduled for hearing on May 13.

The members of the public are called to gather at Unagi Oval on Monday at 9am.

From there, the groups will petition the Prime Minister to step down for undermining the laws of PNG and for mismanaging the country’s economy. 

Kiap says this is a golden opportunity for the citizens of PNG to test their patriotism and democracy come Monday.

Author: 
Julianna Waeda