Official says PNG looking into threats of terrorism

PAPUA New Guinea is addressing threats of terrorism through the national security policy, says Office of Security Coordination Assessment director-general Tony Kaib.
Kaib, a member of the Apec counter-terrorism working group (CTWG) attending the senior officials’ meeting in Port Moresby, said discussions would help Papua New Guinea learn how best to deal with challenges of counter-terrorism domestically and in the Asia-Pacific region.
He said the CTWG would normally meet twice in the cluster of meetings in an Apec year.
For the Apec counter-terrorism working group, there are four key areas that the CTWG focuses on – secure trade, finance, infrastructure and travel, Kaib said.
“It is there to support the development priorities of the 21-member economics and CTWG focuses on those four key policy strategies to support development priorities in the Apec space,” he said.
“Key agencies of various government departments from the 21 economies attend the CTWG meeting.
“From PNG, we have the Department of Prime Minister heading it and is the focal point for CTWC in the country.
“Terrorism is quite generic in terms of how different economies address the issue.
“It maybe terrorism threats from al-Qaeda, Isil, Abu Sayyaf and all the different threats in the discussion.
“PNG is addressing the threat of terrorism through the national security policy.
“Our policies are designed to prioritise development but we also provide safe and secure environment for business activities to operate in PNG as well as learning how best to deal with challenges of counter-terrorism in PNG and the Asia Pacific region.”