Spy apparatus lack effective network

PNG strategically lacks effective and efficient national intelligence mechanisms to protect State interest as far as national security is concerned.
With information technology revolution, national intelligence is vital to socio-economic development in this era.
Intelligence is strategically defined as covert or clandestine operations executed by mandated State apparatus, in PNG context, the National Intelligence Organisation, police intelligence and Defence intelligence.
These State apparatus’ role is to conduct both international and local surveillance as much as possible in a more rapid and responsive tactical approach to provide qualitative and quantitative information to the government of the day to ensure sound decisions are made to protect and promote national interest.
It appears that PNG lack the appropriate mechanisms to strategically collect intelligence information by the relevant State apparatus. These include a lack of:
*Qualified staff;
*Staff development; and,
*Modern field equipment.
There is ample evidence to conclude that these State entrusted apparatus have failed to execute their mandated responsibilities over the years.
At one stage, the NIO failed to provide national security report to NEC for the 2007 national elections.
At the outskirt, simultaneously there is increased trans-national crimes activity in our shore, with regular illegal border crossers, fishing vessels, drug and gun smuggling, to name a few.
Similarly, recent increase in urban crimes and rumours of military coups signalled a scenario of ineffective police and Defence intelligence performance.
The impact of globalisation with IT revolution brought new wave of ‘e-crimes’.
Criminals would develop new mechanisms to achieve their interest.
This is evident in popular fraud and white-collar crimes where employees of both public and private organisations associate with professional criminals to rob institutions.
Perhaps the scenario itself demands a new breed of intelligent workforce to provide timely and quality intelligence to minimise criminal elements and foreign threats.
There are many strategies for the Government to consider to realign national intelligence apparatus to protect and promote national interest:
*Conduct university recruitment in the areas of political science or international relations, strategic studies, psychology and economics;
*Remove overdue officers;
*Develop modernised high-tech international training;
*Re-equip modernised field operations instruments; and,
*Improve officers’ welfare.
The world scenario is changing and expanding rapidly, thus prompting new dimensional and comprehensive security approach.
I strongly urged the Government to consider these strategies, as it is vital for national security and socio-economic development in the long term.

Francis Hualupmomi
Via email