Nightclubs leading to moral decay: Marat

By JOSHUA ARLO
Papua New Guinea has acquired an unenviable reputation for the scale and gravity of its law and order problem, which is leading to morality breakdown in society and nightclubs are a contributing factor, Justice Minister and Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat said.
He said in a forum last Friday that he was taking a tougher stand to ban night clubs in PNG..
The forum was held following Dr Marat’s call for the Government to ban nightclubs in the country.
The call brought about strong opposition from critics and nightclub owners, who argued that nightclubs provide employment for the people and therefore should remain.
In view of this debate, the forum was organised to gauge the views of the public on the issue as it is part of a policy development, and would contribute to a legislation on nightclubs, which Dr Marat intends to push on the floor of Parliament.
Dr Marat said this was a way forward to “protect the welfare of our country and that of our children” as nightclubs were promoting “malicious activities” to the youth of the country.
He said nightclubs provide “undesirable forms of entertainment”, which were “threatening and addictive” to young people.
Dr Marat linked night clubs to the breakdown in family units, which had given rise to lawlessness, criminality, corruption and the increase in HIV/AIDS infection.
“I owe no apologies for the tough stand that I am taking on this issue. Critics describe me as a moralist, while others likened me to some Islamic fundamentalist or extremist. I have no personal interest in this matter. I am just doing this because of my love for Papua New Guinea – our beloved country. If I do not speak out, who else would?
“By keeping quiet means I am condoning evil and by condoning it, I am promoting it,” he said.
He said he was also bound as Attorney-General and Minister for Justice to administer the onstitution of PNG as it stated that this country is a Christian country founded upon Christian principles.
“I believe we have a duty to protect and promote our Christian heritage,” he said.
Dr Marat also said in the first National Goals and Directive Principles, which talk about integral human development, section five speaks on “family unit” as the fundamental basis of our society.
He said it also speaks about the step to be taken to promote moral, cultural, economic and social standing of the Melanesian family.
“Evil is targeting this country. Families are breaking up and our daughters are used as sex objects,” he said.
Other parliamentary leaders, who were present showed support and spoke on the need to ban nightclubs were Oro Governor Suckling Tamanabae, Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet, Gazzel Open MP Malakai Tabar, and Kairuku-Hiri Open MP Paru Aihi
Also present were church leaders including arch bishop Sir Brian Barnes, who said there were also good sides to nightclubs as a source of relaxation.
However he said that after viewing it the good effects of nightclubs were outweighed by the bad effects which were destroying the family unit “which is part of our Melanesian culture”.
Sir Brian also questioned if the Government was frequently regulating and investigating nightclubs to see whether they were upholding the laws of PNG, whether there were visa breaches and liquor license breaches.