OPPOSITION Leader Hon Joseph Lelang says the National Government must address the wave of crime that is now sweeping the nation at unprecedented levels.
Mr Lelang said, we read and hear of heinous crimes being committed, public shoot outs and tribal fights happening in our cities every day.
He said this was a sign that our cities and towns are no longer safe.
He said the fear of rampant crime in Papua New Guinean towns and cities is derailing and it is not helping with our recovery efforts from COVID-19 and Russian War in Ukraine.
The Opposition Leader called on fellow Papua New Guineans to respect the law and in particular, policemen and women and officers of the courts who are there to maintain a peaceful society and render justice.
Mr Lelang, said that the killing of Senior Constable Nelson Kalimda, a policeman on duty in Hela Province was unfortunate.
The Opposition Leader said that the current attitude where people think they can break the law and get away with it is totally unacceptable.
He said: “I am calling on the Government to bring to Parliament much stronger laws, so that our laws act as a deterrent to crime. The Opposition stands ready to support such bills and laws if it is brought before Parliament because right now, people no longer respect our laws. They are not even afraid of the Police”.
“We need to strengthen policing and properly equip them with wider ranging powers. Leaders must make sure citizens of this country start to respect our Policemen and women in the call of their duties.”
Mr Lelang extended his condolences to the immediate family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the late Senior Constable Nelson Kalimda who was killed while on duty in Hela Province.
