Arrest people who tampered with anthem

 FORMER Chief Justice Sir Arnold Amet has called for the immediate arrest of people involved in the tampering of the national anthem sung during the Pacific Games opening ceremony.

“I am calling on the police leadership to institute an independent investigation straight away while the trail is hot so that there is no cover up or attempt to cover up,” Sir Arnold said.

“Those responsible should not think they can get away with violating our national sovereignty and national symbol with impunity.”

Sir Amet said that the people had breached the National Identity Act 1971 Section 10W and 10Y. 

“Any person who prints, reproduces, plays, sings or recites the national anthem or a parody of the national anthem in a manner that is insulting, derisory or derogatory to the independent state of PNG or its people is guilty of an offence. 

“Penalty: A fine not exceeding K1000. 

“As a proud and patriotic Papua New Guinean, I am outraged, offended and insulted that a group of individuals, organising committee members and executives and other leaders at whatever level involved in the opening  ceremony of the Pacific Games, knowingly permitted the words of our national anthem to be altered. 

“It is a national disgrace that all who were involved in this act of sacrilege, which means blasphemy, violation, disrespect, irreverence and desecration of one of our national symbols were allowed to get away with it.”

Body of Christ chairman Rev Joseph Walters is calling on the Government to engage local events companies to organise the celebration of the 40th independence anniversary. 

“We have already witnessed a blunder in our national identity by engaging a foreign-based company to organise the Games opening ceremony,” he said.