O’NEILL CRITICIZES FACEBOOK “TEST”
By Samuel RAITANO
Former Prime and Ialibu Pangia MP Peter O’Neill has criticized Marape Rosso government for embarrassing the country with draconian and crazy ideas.
O’Neill was referring to the purported test on controlling social media platform Facebook, carried out by the Police Ministry and Department, leaving relevant agencies like National Information and Communication Technology Authority (NICTA) and Ministry for Information Communication Technology unaware.
The PNG Media Council has also raised concerns over the surprise action that caught people off guard .
O’Neill questions why the so called “test” happened the same day Prime Minister James Marape attended court in the Paraka matter, not as a suspects but as a State Witness.
“Perhaps just a coincidence but clearly, our people, not just those active on social media, but most citizens find it troubling,” O’Neill said.
He claims the Police Minister was “surely” acting on instructions from Marape to prevent social media activity.
O’Neill said this not just made the people even more frustrated, unhappier and suspicious of the Marape government who seems to be introducing legislation fundamentally changing not just the Constitution but people’s national way of life.
“We have become the laughing stock of our region with increasingly crazy ideas quickly becoming policy and law all the while our economic fortunes are regressing rapidly, buried in debt and a cost of living crisis. Jobs and investor confidence have evaporated quicker than the false promises made by Marape,” O’Neill said.
The former Prime Minister said Facebook had its problems but it was also a valve to let off frustrations for many people who are rightly upset at the direction the country is heading.
O’Neill said Facebook was also a positive tool for social connection, to share ideas and information and for businesses to trade.
“Government should have laser focus on fixing the economic mess and settling the law and order issues. There is a litany of broken promises to make good on. Mines to reopen. Major projects to start. Debt to pay back. Children to educate and hospitals and health clinics suffering from government malaise. Focus on this. Not micromanaging every thought of our people,” O’Neill said.
Meanwhile, Police Commissioner David Manning, in a statement said due to ongoing efforts by criminals to incite violence against communities and damage critical infrastructure, a temporary and partial restriction on Facebook platform has been ordered under the Counter Terrorism Act 2024.
