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POLICE will not allow any protest march
in Port Moresby by people seeking to influence the formation of the
incoming government.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki said yesterday that he had instructed the
National Capital District commander not to grant any permit for such a
protest march which is believed to be planned for Monday when the new
Parliament sits.
He noted that various sections of the community, especially in Port
Moresby, were voicing dissent over the likely formation of a new
National Alliance-led government.
“I have received intelligence reports that suggest a few irresponsible
and selfish Papua New Guinean leaders, in collusion with outside
interests, are planning to hijack the whole democratic process of
forming a government,” he told a press conference.
“No one person or interest groups from within the country or outside
have the right to derail the process in the formation of government or
change or influence the outcome.
“What we are witnessing is a dangerous and worrying trend.
“This is neither the democratic nor the PNG way of doing things.”
Mr Baki said the people had spoken through the ballot box and given the
109 elected MPs the mandate to lead the country.
He reminded the people that they could not install or change a
government “through the barrel of a gun”.
“You cannot achieve lasting change, peace or law and order through such
a method.”
He said those who were not happy with the election results should wait
for the next general election for another opportunity to change
government.
Several private security companies said they had also received
information that some people were organising a protest march to
Parliament House on Monday morning.
Residents and business houses were advised to restrict their movements
during the weekend, especially near the University of PNG (UPNG).
Mr Baki said three mobile squads were being flown to Port Moresby to
assist the city police to maintain law and order during the formation of
the government.
But he added: “It is a normal security operation as it always has been
in the past.”
Also present was Asst Commissioner for Public Safety Jim Andrews.
Meanwhile, UPNG Vice-Chancellor Prof Ross Hynes said the university was
a government institution and not aligned to any political party nor was
it part of any lobby group.
He said UPNG students were not involved in any way and should not allow
themselves to be used by groups for their own interest.
Rumours had been rife that the students would boycott classes today and
also form the core of the protest march on Monday.
“UPNG recognises the democratic process of election and in the formation
of government and will support and work with the government of the day
when it is formed,” Prof Hyne said in a statement.
“The autonomy of the university and its independence should not be
compromised by individuals or groups for their own interests.”
The interim president of the university’s Student Representative
Council, Mr Nicholas Embia, also denied any involvement in any anti-NA
campaign.
He said the students respected democracy and the process in electing
leaders.
 
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