Police Commissioner Gari Baki has warned that attempts to politicise police operations and investigations by leaders undermines the great democratic principles of the nation.
Commissioner Baki made the comments after media claims by the Member of Parliament for Moresby North-West, Sir Mekere Morauta, about a discredited attempt to serve an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister four years ago.
“Commissioner Baki said: “Media claims by the Member for Moresby North-West are unfortunate and misleading and only serve to undermine public confidence in law enforcement operations.
“Every citizen, be they members of the public or members of Parliament, have the democratic right to air their views, but when this brings misleading information with the intention to discredit police or other agencies, they have crossed an unfortunate line.
“If the Honourable Member has information of wrongdoing, he should provide this to police, but if public statements are just political and intended to discredit police, he should review his words.”
In relation to the case from four years ago, the Commissioner said the Supreme Court had voided the warrant, and the fraud squad had declared there is no case to answer.
“As I have stated publicly, the Prime Minister further provided a statement that very clearly articulated he had no connection with the law firm involved. All information was reviewed by the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru, and he advised me that the case was closed.
“The media is a powerful way to communicate with the people of this country, and it must be engaged in a responsible manner," Commissioner Baki said.