Continue PNG anti-Asian inquiry says sacked chair
Updated
The sacked head of the inquiry into the violent anti-Asian riots in Papua New Guinea in May has warned the government against abandoning the inquiry. The former Chairman, Jamie Graham, says the issue is a time bomb which must not be ignored. The riots were over claims by locals that illegal immigrants and foreigners are taking over jobs and businesses they could do.
Presenter: Firmin Nanol
Speaker: Former Chairman of PNG's inquiry into the violent anti-Asian riots, Jamie Graham; Inquiry Deputy Chairman, Theo Zurenou; Anthony Nene is another member
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NANOL: The PNG parliament has set up a bi-partisan Committee to investigate the influx of foreigners who are allegedly taking over jobs and businesses which Papua New Guineans could do.
It was set up after widespread looting, riots and destruction to businesses and shops owned or run by foreigners, especially Asians, following an anti-Asian protest in May this year.
The Inquiry has uncovered that successive PNG governments have failed to fund its Immigration, Customs and other agencies to monitor foreigners entering and leaving PNG and doing business.
PNG's Foreign Affairs, Immigration, Customs and Intelligence agencies have told the inquiry, they lack the resources to monitor illegal immigrants and get Asian businesses to comply with PNG laws.
The government has replaced the inquiry Chairman, Jamie Graham this week, indirectly stalling the investigations.
He says no reasons were given for his sacking and he is upset the government does not want to address issues that affect the people. He has urged the government to allow the inquiry to continue.
GRAHAM: I don't want the government to kill this committee just by silencing me, no, because this issue, it's not an issue that we, once it started, it's an issue concerning the indigenous people. They already took some action in May. We never told them to go and cause this trouble, they did it on their own, we must understand what they're thinking on the street now. So I must warn the government it's a time-bomb that needs to be defused. And this committee has a very important role in defusing this time-bomb.
NANOL: The outgoing Chairman Jamie Graham says PNG's intelligence agency has told the Inquiry there could be more violence against foreigners especially Asians who are taking over businesses and jobs.
GRAHAM: The report from the national intelligence organisation is very, very critical and very serious because the potential of this issue blowing up again is so serious, and they are very concerned. I mean this is state intelligence. We need to look for solutions and defuse problems.
NANOL: Three members of the Bipartisan Committee inquiring into the May Anti-Asian riots have resigned in protest over the sacking of the Chairman, Jamie Maxtone Graham.
The Deputy Chairman, Theo Zurenou has accused the government of trying to hide its alleged corrupt dealings with Asian businesses and illegal migrants.
He says the government must not sweep the anti-Asian sentiments in the minds of people under the carpet as it's going to blow up in its face.
ZURENOU: The committee has set into motion the process of defusing this time-bomb and we have now gone backwards by putting a stop to what he's doing. But the fact still remains a serious issue in this nation is now left to remain and become a threat I believe to the general welfare and wellbeing of this nation.
NANOL: Anthony Nene is another member and also a Vice Minister in Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare's government.
He says he no longer trusts decisions by the Somare government as it will affect the people.
NENE: The committee members were never consulted and the decisions it was going to take. Only if that was done we would agree with what the government's decision was. But today I'm really disappointed in the manner in which our chairman was removed.
NANOL: A protest organised by an NGO group led to a widespread unrest, looting and destruction of foreign owned shops and businesses in May this year.
The PNG government has appointed another MP, David Arorere to lead the Inquiry.
Firmin Nanol-Port Moresby.