PM suggests harsher penalties

HARSHER penalties should be imposed on alcohol users who create problems in the country, says Prime Minister James Marape.
He said this in response to a question raised by Western Highlands Governor Wai Rapa in Parliament yesterday whether the Government had any solution to increasing alcohol-related law and order issues.
Rapa raised concerns that recently alcohol had become the main cause of not only law and order but social issues.
“We have to seriously look at how we could control the manufacturing, sale and distribution of alcohol,” he said.
“Is there a way where we can stop beer in this country?” he asked Marape.
Marape said the manufacturing, distribution and sale of alcohol would not be possible.
“Alcohol manufacturing companies contribute to the society by providing employment opportunities for Papua New Guineans and many are main sponsors of community-based programmes,” he said.
However, he suggested that a national approach could be taken to address the abuse of alcohol.
Although Marape agreed that alcohol consumption may be one factor that provoked and induced social problems and lawlessness in communities, he said there were also many other factors that contributed to these problems and added that the Government would look into coming up with increased penalties to address this.
“The Government has done away with death penalty but would increase penalties on alcohol for drink-driving or cause unnecessary problems in the country as alcohol-related problems are on the rise,” he said.
Marape also appealed to all provincial governors to use their provincial liquor licensing powers to have restrictions within their respective provinces to help address this at the sub-national level.
“These restrictions should be applicable also to drugs and homebrew users as well to face higher penalties,” he said.
“You all have powers to set restrictions to address alcohol-related problems in your respective provinces.”