O’Neill, MPs travelling to Mendi

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill, pictured, and MPs are travelling to Mendi, Southern Highlands, today to reinforce the work of the members of the emergency team.
Local leaders involved in election petitions travelled to the Southern Highlands capital yesterday.
O’Neill said police on the ground should carry out their duties in maintaining law and investigating offences without interference from politicians.
He said this in light of comments made by Southern Highlands police commander (PPC) Chief Superintendent Joseph Tondop for political leaders from the province to return home, unite and express remorse.
“The PPC wasn’t there when the incident (burning of Link PNG aircraft, court complex and governor’s residence last Thursday) happened,” O’Neill said.
“His job now is to reinforce the rule of law, which means investigating and apprehending those involved in criminal acts and preventing further agitation between opposing groups.” The prime minster said elected leaders and government officials had to carry out their respective roles diligently and not seek influence from others.
“The role of elected leaders is to work with their supporters, to manage their expectations and to calm emotions so that tensions cannot re-emerge.”
The prime minister reminded leaders not be involved in police investigations currently underway into the Mendi incidents last Thursday.
“Let the police get on with their work independent of political interference,” he said.
“As I stated yesterday, this includes talk of compensation and other pressures that undermine due legal process.”