Malabag blasts staff attackers

National, Normal
Source:

The National – Monday, January 31, 2011

PRESIDENT of PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) and Public Employees Association (PEA) Michael Malabag and the executive of the national airlines employees association Edward Memafu Foe have condemned the recent attack on an Air Niugini staff.
Malabag and Memafu, in a joint statement, said that the incident happened at Gerehu last Thursday with various threats issued against the airline staff by a group of people who were being investigated by Air Niugini on the miscellaneous charge order (MCO) fraud.
They reported that Air Niugini Security apprehended a person on Jan 22 who had over-used MCO document several times and handed him to 6-Mile police stations for interrogation and charges.
However, two days later, Air Niugini discovered that the person had escaped from police custody which resulted in the attack of the airline staff.
The attacked had prompted Malabag and Memafu to call on police hierarchy to treat the matter seriously and bring to justice the people involved.
“Investigations must be completed to allow Air Niugini staff to carry out their duties without any fear or favour.”
They said those who involved in the fraud should not engage in threatening actions to the lives of the staff or their families to sabotage the investigation.
They also warned that the actions by the unions would be large and more extensive and could have an adverse impact on the travelling public.