Minister frustrated with reports

POLICE Minister William Onglo is concerned with media reports of oil palm companies bribing policemen to assault locals protesting against their alleged illegal operations.
Onglo said the media reports that went viral on social media included allegations of politicians and public servants being bribed to turn a blind eye on the companies’ illegal operations had tarnished Papua New Guinean’s reputation.
“I’m frustrated about this report and have talked with the police commissioner to investigate these allegations,” he said.
“I’m frustrated about these allegations because we (PNG) are not a cowboy country (where foreign investors can come and do whatever they want).”
Onglo expressed concern about international journalists coming into the country and doing such negative reports.
“We have laws and if you (foreign journalists) want to do investigations, you must come through my office,” he said.
“For this report, they came in with hidden cameras and interviewed our disgruntled locals and some people in the managements of these companies.”