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Sports |
Address unlawful acts in our society
ANOTHER chapter of the history of PNG
politics has commenced and elected leaders are taking up their
offices in Parliament.
I watched with pride the orderly 2007 elections go by. The
law-abiding citizens and PNGEC have done a good job.
However, a scary trend is rapidly emerging in our major towns
and cities.
I am angry whenever I hear, see and read about avoidable
unlawful acts in our society.
Tribal fights in cities, rape, murder, armed hold-ups and
robberies, pick-pocketing and bag-snatching and littering in
public places,
unhygienic street vending, scary incremental cases of HIV/AIDS
epidemic, rural-urban drift and growth of settlements in the
fringes of urban centres, to name a few.
Some FAQs (frequently asked questions) that pop up include the
following:
*Don’t these offenders have other choices?
*Don’t they have land to settle in and families that can
discipline them?
*Are there realistic laws dealing with these offences?
*Do we need leaders and laws when it is free for some members of
the society to steal, slay and spoil private and public property
without being penalised under the so-called laws of the land
that get passed in Parliament?
These questions break down social responsibilities, roles of
families and the Government in disciplining its citizens,
although there is no classification of the offences.
Our laws originated from the Bible to which customary and social
norms are united.
Tribes, clans and family units are the first law enforcers and
they are depicted in today’s unlawful acts. Something is wrong
somewhere along the lines with our social responsibilities.
We cannot continue to ignore real issues affecting our
communities and keep on pretending to be living in a normal
society.
Why is our population growth rate higher than our economic
growth rate?
I appeal to the respective political leaders, their departments
and line agencies to consider these issues in their policies for
the sake of the silent law-abiding majority including mothers
and fathers, young children and the elderly.
Everyone must be given a fair chance to coexist and strive for
better things in life.
We must address these social issues collectively without fear or
favour.
Neglecting them would only continue our woes and pave the way
for undesired social segregation and rebellion.
Ben Tioti Kasiatala
Motorina Island
 
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