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Mei Lin is a prominent member of Papua New Guinea’s business community, with ties to influential locals. She’s also a key player in an audacious drug trafficking plot.

KEY POINTS:
● The owner of an international network of companies, Lin is alleged to have used her cornerstone PNG business, KC 2, to store and transfer over 71 kilograms of methamphetamine from PNG to Australia.
● Born in China, Lin has built business ties to prominent PNG citizens, including a former deputy prime minister and senior members of the local Chinese diaspora.
● She obtained PNG citizenship in 2016, but appears to have falsified key parts of her life story to do so.
● Companies tied to Lin have received Australian government money under a controversial program that is now being probed for corruption.

By Julie Badui Owa, Carmel Pilotti, Kila Wani, Dan McGarry, and Aubrey Belford

Chinese-born businesswoman Mei Lin spent more than a decade building an economic empire in Papua New Guinea, spanning sectors from retail to real estate; and cultivating ties with wealthy and powerful figures in the Pacific nation.

But that world came crashing down on January 16 when Lin, 41, was arrested in the Australian city of Brisbane. Police accuse her of facilitating a “black flight” last year that smuggled over 71 kilograms of methamphetamine from a remote hillside airstrip in PNG to Australia.

The drug smuggling scheme was foiled on March 21 in a coordinated operation by PNG and Australian police, who swooped in as the light plane stopped to refuel in the rural Australian community of Monto. Six people were arrested and charged in Australia, including two pilots. Eight others were charged in PNG, including a police officer and a soldier.

But it took nine months for police to collect enough evidence to arrest and charge Lin. She is alleged to have stored the meth and organized its transportation within PNG; the Australian Federal Police said in a statement after her arrest, as well as paying for fuel for the aircraft and the use of the runway in the town of Bulolo, where it took off.

Inside PNG, in close collaboration with international partner, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), spent months investigating Lin, who had previously attracted nationwide controversy over dealings unrelated to drugs. Reporters examined thousands of pages of public documents and court records, and spoke to police in both PNG and Australia.

They found that, prior to her arrest, Lin built business ties with some of PNG’s most prominent figures, including the country’s former deputy prime minister, Moses Maladina. Companies linked to Lin appear to have also benefited from Australian government assistance to the country.

Lin is now “the prime suspect” in the methamphetamine smuggling case, said Manu Pulei, the lead PNG police investigator.

“Without Mei Lin, this thing wouldn’t have happened,” Pulei told Inside PNG.

The light plane intercepted in Australia with methamphetamine on board last
March. Supplied Image by Australian Federal Police.
The light plane intercepted in Australia with methamphetamine on board last
March.
[[Photo credit Australian Federal Police]]

PNG court records obtained by reporters show that the allegations against Lin are centered on her role as owner and boss of KC 2; a wholesale and retail firm in Lae where the meth was allegedly stored. A KC 2 employee arrested last year over the drug smuggling operation, Lin Hezhong, is her uncle.

That business, however, is just one of nearly two dozen companies involving Lin in PNG and Australia, according to corporate documents obtained by reporters.

Documents show that Lin was a manager at one company owned by former Deputy Prime Minister Maladina, Chatswood PNG, which is the subject of an investigation into the alleged abuse of Australian government funding for the care of refugees and asylum seekers in the country under Australia’s “offshore processing” regime.

Maladina and his company are not alleged to be connected to drug trafficking.

A detailed list of questions were sent to Lin’s lawyer. No response was received by press time.

In a written response to reporters’ questions, Maladina denied any wrongdoing in the migration scheme and said Lin had only briefly worked for his company.

Mei Lin
Mei Lin

“Chatswood is not and has never been involved in any illegal [activity], and we strongly oppose the use of and involvement with drugs in our society. Chatswood and its Directors and staff are NOT in any way associated with the activities of Mei Lin,” Maladina said.

Lin’s other recent business partners have included a prominent Malaysia-born business tycoon, the daughter of a former prime minister, and two prominent ethnic Chinese business figures who have played senior roles in Beijing-backed organizations in the country.

None of those people are accused of any connection to drug smuggling, and the charges against Lin have yet to be tried in court.

Lin’s case comes amid fears that rising drug trafficking through PNG could further destabilize a country that is already rife with poverty and elite corruption. The country is already awash with illegal guns and is frequently gripped by violence, such as urban riots earlier this month that killed 22 people.

Surging demand for narcotics in Australia, one of the world’s most expensive drug markets, makes PNG a natural transit point for international drug traffickers, said Jeremy Douglas, regional representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The route the "black flight" took from Papua New Guinea to Australia
on March 21, 2023. [[ Image supplied by Edin Pašović]]
The route the “black flight” took from Papua New Guinea to Australia
on March 21, 2023. [[ Image supplied by Edin Pašović]]

“The proximity of PNG to Australia is perfect for staging shipments by small private planes [and] fishing vessels,” Douglas said.

“We’ve seen traffickers fronting as business people to build connections with local elites and power players across the region. It is simply easier to co-opt elites and officials where capacities are lower and activities are not heavily scrutinized,” Douglas said.

Unclear Origins

Lin had been a well-known — and controversial — figure in PNG even before her arrest.

Born in China’s southeastern Fujian province in 1982, Lin — who also goes by the name Gigi — claims to have immigrated to PNG with her family as a teenager, attending two of the country’s most exclusive schools, according to documents submitted to PNG authorities as part of her successful 2016 citizenship application, which were obtained by reporters.

However, the information submitted by Lin to acquire citizenship contains key inconsistencies.

Lin gave PNG authorities a letter written in error-riddled English attesting to her attendance at Port Moresby Grammar School. But school administrator, David Olley told reporters it was a “fraudulent letter” that had been signed by a person who had never worked there.

“Any agency or reader should be able to detect that it is a fraud and therefore not respect the letter,” Olley said.

Lin also told authorities she had studied at the elite Port Moresby International School . But the school’s secretary, Albina Melua, said she could find no record of Lin’s attendance.

“In 2003, there was no Lin here,” Melua said.

Whatever her true life story, public records show that Lin has, over the last decade, become a force in business in her adopted country.

She built her base of power in her adoptive hometown of Lae, a port city that acts as the gateway to PNG’s fabled highlands. Corporate documents show that Lin set up the centerpiece of her network there in 2013, the supermarket and wholesaler KC 2.

Business soon boomed, with company revenues exploding from just 6.4 million kina (US$1.7 million in current value) in 2013, to over 121 million kina ($33 million) by 2022.

Lin soon built a reputation as a local power player who treated even public officials “just like talking to an ordinary friend or colleague or employee,” said Joikere Kusip, a lawyer who has worked for her.

Lin also began to attract critical nationwide attention, after local media reports alleged that she had improperly obtained state-owned land and violently evicted tenants. One of her land deals was ruled illegal, and Lin was questioned by a parliamentary committee in 2021.

Elite Education and ‘Kwik Moni’

Negative publicity doesn’t appear to have slowed Lin’s rise among PNG’s movers and shakers.

Corporate records show that Lin has over the last decade established at least a dozen other PNG-based companies, along with other close family members and partners. The firms have spanned sectors including property, security, nightclubs, gambling, and finance.

Lin’s list of business associates has included some prominent local names.

In 2020, Lin became a founding director of the Raggiana International Academy, an elite school in Lae, partly owned by Vanessa Chan-Pelgen, the daughter of former PNG Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan. Lin is still a director at the academy. Chan-Pelgen did not respond to questions about Lin’s association with the school.

The following year, Lin co-founded a new financial institution, Kwik Moni, alongside a roster of other well-known figures in PNG.

Kwik Moni bills itself as a lender for personal expenses including “school fees, bride price, funeral expenses… and any worthwhile purposes.”

Lin’s fellow shareholders included Jimmy Poh, a Malaysia-born businessman whose interests include high-profile property developments in the capital, Port Moresby. He was previously a director of a major PNG health supplies company, Borneo Pacific Pharmaceuticals. Founded by his brother, Martin, Borneo Pacific has been a key supplier of medical kits and drugs to the PNG government. Australia reportedly withdrew funding for a PNG health program involving Borneo in 2013, citing concerns over how the company was awarded the contract and allegations by doctors that it had imported substandard drugs into the country.

Poh did not respond to questions about his business ties with Lin.

Other partners in Kwik Moni include two people who have held senior roles in the China and PNG Friendship Association, an advocacy organization for the Chinese diaspora in the country. Although ostensibly aimed at promoting bilateral relations and the interests of overseas Chinese, analysts say such organizations ultimately fall under the control of the ruling Chinese Communist Party under a so-called “United Front” strategy to push Beijing’s interests abroad.

One of these Kwik Moni partners, Billy Huaan Lin, also hails from Fujian province and is the owner of a network of companies in PNG including a Port Moresby-based car dealership, 2 Fast Motors Ltd. He has served in several leadership roles in the China and PNG Friendship Association. He has also played an intermediary role in PNG’s security relationship with China, donning a PNG police uniform and traveling with PNG officers to China for training, according to Chinese media coverage.

Screenshot of video showing Billy Huaan Lin, center, in PNG police uniform, at a training for PNG law enforcement in China. [[Photo credit: : Sohu.com]]

Another partner in Kwik Moni, Irene Wan Xia Seeto, has been identified in local media as recently as 2021 as chapter head of the China-PNG association in the township of Rabaul.

Screenshot from Facebook of Irene Wan Xia Seeto. [[Photo credit: Facebook]]
Screenshot from Facebook of Irene Wan Xia Seeto. [[Photo credit: Facebook]]

Neither Billy Lin nor Irene Seeto responded directly to requests for comment from OCCRP, but after questions were sent to them and Poh, Kwik Moni issued a press release saying that Mei Lin had been “requested to resign from the board and dispose of her shareholdings” in March 2023, after the company became aware of allegations against her. Indeed, corporate records obtained by reporters show that Lin relinquished her stake in the company last April, about three weeks after the meth flight. The shares were transferred to her father and another person, who appears to be a relative.

But Lin’s alleged involvement in the flight did not deter her Kwik Moni business partner, Seeto, from continuing their business relationship. Corporate records from Australia show that Seeto and Lin opened a new company together in August 2023, called IG Developments Pty Ltd, which lists its place of business as what appears to be an empty lot in suburban Brisbane. It is unclear what the company does.

Lin and the Malaysian-born businessman Poh have also remained partners in a Port Moresby-based company, Arabica Coffee Exports (PNG) Ltd, according to company filings.

OCCRP and Inside PNG are not alleging any wrongdoing by Poh, Seeto, or Billy Lin.

Immigration Deals

Some of Lin’s most consequential dealings relate to her business relationship with the former
PNG deputy prime minister, Maladina.

That relationship was first reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on January 20, but OCCRP and Inside PNG have uncovered additional documents that provide further detail on the ties between Maladina and Lin.

Moses Maladina
Moses Maladina. [[Photo credit: Kumul Consolidated Holdings Limited]]

Maladina has recently faced scrutiny over allegations that the company he founded, Chatswood PNG, has mismanaged funds granted by Australia under a secret deal to care for migrants left in the country by Australia’s much-criticized policy of turning back boats carrying asylum seekers.

Australia’s Home Affairs Department in late 2021 handed over to PNG authorities responsibility for the accommodation and welfare of previously detained migrants living in the country and awaiting refugee resettlement. The agreement came with a commitment by Australia to provide an undisclosed amount of funding, in an arrangement known as the PNG humanitarian program (PHP).

Maladina’s Chatswood PNG, which was designated a key service provider under the deal, soon faced allegations from migrants that it was failing to provide services like food deliveries. PNG’s immigration minister pledged an investigation last October after whistleblower complaints from within PNG’s Immigration and Citizenship Authority alleged that millions of dollars had likely gone missing under the scheme, and that Chatswood PNG was allegedly involved in fraudulent billing.

Maladina told reporters that Chatswood PNG was just one of several contractors on the PHP and that “the person named as Mei Lin has absolutely no association with the company in its Ownership, Shareholding or Directorship,” he said. Lin had only worked for the company’s property division for two months “on a casual basis,” he said. He gave a similar statement to the ABC.

However, OCCRP and Inside PNG have obtained documents that appear to show that Mei Lin did in fact play a senior role in Chatswood PNG. These include a February 2022 letter bearing the company’s seal and signed by Lin, in which she identified herself as the “property manager” of Chatswood PNG, and a Chatswood PNG corporate visa card in her name.

Namora Niugini, a Lin family business, is also alleged by the whistleblower to have been involved in fraudulently charging the PHP in concert with Chatswood PNG.

PNG’s chief migration officer, Stanis Hulahau, has previously told local media that Namora Niugini was a contractor on the project, while Chatswood PNG was the program case manager. The company “provided groceries/vouchers and an allowance for the refugees,” Hulahau was quoted as saying.

A third company, bearing the name PNG Humanitarian Program Ltd was established by Maladina in October 2021, two months before the bilateral agreement was inked, corporate records show. It was transferred to Lin’s ownership five months later and subsequently renamed ABC Enterprises. It is unclear if the firm has played a role in the administration of the migration scheme.

Maladina told OCCRP and Inside PNG that his company had no direct relationship to Namora
Niugini.

Maladina also said that although he had “assisted” in the establishment of PNG Humanitarian Program Ltd, he “had no involvement whatsoever [in] the subsequent creation of ABC Enterprises Ltd… [and] no knowledge of its business and functions.”

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs said in a written response that reporters’ questions were “a matter for the PNG government.”

Hulahau did not respond to questions.

New Evidence

Despite Lin’s growing prominence in PNG, law enforcement appeared to have been unaware of any alleged connection between Lin and drugs prior to last year’s meth flight.

Inside PNG and OCCRP reconstructed the investigation using public documents, PNG court
records, and interviews with police in both PNG and Australia.

Australian police arresting Mei Lin in her Brisbane home on January 16.
[[Picture credit: Australian Federal Police]]
Australian police arresting Mei Lin in her Brisbane home on January 16.
[[Picture credit: Australian Federal Police]]

The investigation that foiled the flight started in late 2022 in Australia’s commercial capital, Sydney, where AFP narcotics investigators picked up intelligence that a group including local pilots and their associates allegedly intended to fly meth into Australia from PNG.

At least one similar scheme had been attempted before. In 2020, a light plane weighed down by a reported half-tonne of cocaine crashed in PNG’s forests while attempting to reach Australia.

The following year, a raid on a hotel in PNG’s capital of Port Moresby reportedly uncovered a meth lab operated by an Australian citizen. The suspect was released after local authorities made the embarrassing discovery that methamphetamine had not yet been added to the country’s list of controlled substances.

So, after getting wind last year that a group of Australians including pilots were allegedly plotting to import meth by plane from PNG, the AFP put the group under surveillance. They worked with other Australian law enforcement and PNG police to spring a trap on both sides of the Torres Strait, which separates Australia from its northern neighbor.

At the time, they were still unaware of the identity of Mei Lin or her alleged accomplices in PNG, AFP Eastern Command investigations head Kate Ferry told OCCRP.

“The AFP and [PNG police] were investigating who was involved in the drug import plot in PNG but we did not identify the alleged offenders until the day of the flight,” Ferry said.

Arrests in PNG on March 21 led police to a warehouse owned by Lin’s KC 2 that served as a
storage point for the meth, which a chemical analysis found was similar to drugs produced by Mexican cartels.

Officers found that Lin had left Lae for Australia the day before the meth flight. Two days after that, she was questioned at Brisbane airport as she prepared to fly to Taiwan. She was allowed to depart after insufficient evidence was found to arrest her. She subsequently returned to Australia and lived in Brisbane until her arrest.

But back in PNG, the investigation into the eight suspects arrested there eventually produced evidence –– including CCTV footage and testimony –– that allegedly implicated Lin.

That investigation is ongoing and authorities will release only “limited information” until it is complete, PNG’s police minister Peter Tsiamalili said in a January 22 statement.

“These international criminal networks, particularly from parts of Asia, are organized and the damage they cause to people in our countries is devastating,” Tsiamalili said.

On the 11th to the 18th of November in 2023 Callan Services with the support of donor partners, including Christian Blind Mission, held a successful, one week Cataract eye surgery program in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are very common as you get older.

Callan services in the Mingende area of Chimbu Province, have been hosting the surgery for the past almost 20 years as an annual program.

Hopeful Cataract patients at Mingende awaiting evaluation.

The surgery is most sought after and many from all the provinces in the Highlands region make the pilgrimage to Mingende to get the corrective eye surgery.

With the rugged terrain across Papua New Guinea many in the rural highlands struggle to make their way to the hospital for the surgery.

The Callan services Program Coordinator in Mingende, Angela Mua in Mingende said some of these patients are carried from their villagers by relatives and Volunteers.

Areas in Chimbu Province are mountainous and some of the patients are carried in to the resource center.

So they sometimes don’t have a place to stay so we accommodate them at our resource center, so we have to charge fees to these patients, but we collect the fees and it helps us to feed the patients and their Guardians.

A program like the cataract eye surgery is very expensive, and Callan Services PNG are always grateful for the support from donor partners.

Mua mentioned that one of their longtime partners Christian Blind Mission.

“Christian Blind Mission (CBM) is our main donor to the resource center since 2002, for activities administration and wages for staff,” Mua said

Doctors are flown in for the surgery while the support staff from the various eye clinics in the Highlands region.

Damian Sungu the Officer In Charge (OIC) of the Goroka Eye Clinic said they were here to help with the surgery, he himself has been part of the program since its inception.

“Cataract is like a prison, because the patients are left to stay at home and they cannot do much, so we thank our Community Based Rehabilitation teams, who move around in the Villages through some of the most toughest terrains, just to look for these men and women who suffer from Cataract, they do the initial screening to determine the cataract and later on refer them for surgery,” Sungu said

The week long program was a huge success with more than a 100 patients going in for surgery, in the past it was an all expatriate team of Doctors which led the surgery but in the past few years it has been an all Papua New Guinean team delivering the success of the cataract eye surgery in Mingende Chimbu Province.

Matthew Aeno Mala, a patient from Eastern Highlands province made the trip to Mingende, after the success of his eye surgery he was pleased with the results and praised all that made it possible for the week long program that helped many not only to restore their vision but to get back their lives.

“I thank Callan Services PNG for the surgery, I maybe in my 60s but I still can contribute to society and also work for myself, I know I am a useful member of my community,” Aeno Mala said

Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko says there is no time to waste on the blame game, instead let’s move forward to rebuild Port Moresby.

In a recent statement, Tkatchenko said he was sad to see his electorate go up in flames and described the actions of the looters appalling and pathetic.

“These actions of those looters and civilians is going to cause innocent Papua New Guineas of Moresby South great despair and grievance and harm over the next months and years ahead,” stated Tkatchenko.

He said not only has this impacted the jobs of some good, honest, hardworking individuals; the repercussions will affect the greater community of Moresby South and all other residents of Port Moresby.

“These buildings and infrastructure are going to take years to rebuild and restock, and most business houses now do not want to come back and rebuild again.”

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop.

Tkatchenko has extended his full support in helping NCD Governor, Powes Parkop and Prime Minister, James Marape to clean-up and rebuild Port Moresby city and restore peace and order back into communities.

“It’s not going to be easy, but we must all work in partnership together, this is not about politics any more but about getting our services back to our people that truly deserve it.”

The recovery of stolen items taken during the looting in Port Moresby on January 10th is underway as security personnel are out in the streets retrieving the items.

Acting State of Emergency Controller in NCD Donald Yamasombi has advised looters in NCD and Central to return all stolen items to the stores they were taken from.

While the specifics of the SOE Orders are still being put together, acting controller Yamasombi says there will be no curfews but restrictions on movement of people.

InsidePNG understands in the next several hours, the SOE guidelines will be made public, enabling security staff to execute SOE directives.

Police have advised that all stolen property from Brian Bell must be brought back to the warehouse yard at Gerehu where it was set on fire.

Police begin recovery of stolen items

In the aftermath of unprecedented violence, Papua New Guinea’s retail giant, CPL Group, has been left reeling. Founder Sir Mahesh Patel, who dedicated nearly four decades to building this business, now confronts a grim reality as multiple outlets lay in ruins

InsidePNG sat down with Sir Mahesh Patel as he shared on what he called “one of the darkest days” in the history of Papua New Guinea’s Capital City, Port Moresby…

There is a glitch in Pangu ranks following recent turn of events following the “technical glitch” in government payroll system according to authorities which resulted in a strike by law enforcement agencies led to mass looting in the capital city.

Young fire-brand politician James Nomane in a viral video released today openly called for Prime Minister James Marape to step down.

“I’m now putting out this call to action to all members of parliament, to save our country and demand the Prime Minister to resign,” Mr. Nomane said.

Further adding, “Yesterday’s crisis must compel all members of parliament from all 22 provinces to stand together, condemned the crisis and change this government”.

Mr. Nomane said the situation that happened yesterday with adequate government action.

“What has happened is an indictment of Prime Minister James Marape, no more blame game, no more excuses, the buck stops with the Prime Minister!

Millions of Kina worth of properties were destroyed by citizens including public servants, looting, and vandalizing private property following pay cuts which the tax office says was a payroll error and not a tax increase in the capital.

According to Port Moresby General Hospital Mortuary Doctor in Charge, nine deaths were reported yesterday because of shop owner – looter exchanges.

Already reports have been received of same elsewhere in the country with bystanders looting in the country’s second largest city of Lae.

The first term Pangu MP also openly resigned from the ruling party.

“Yesterday’s crisis marks a loss of confidence in the government from police force defense force, public servants, business houses and from the people of Papua New Guinea,” he said.

Another Pangu man – East Sepik Governor Allan Bird condemn the violence and rudely behavior, hinting the dissatisfaction with the current leadership.

“We are all frustrated with how our country is run. I am too. I argue with those in power almost daily,” Governor Bird said.
He continues, “Those in power, who make decisions for all of us will not be there forever, fresh leadership will come, if not now, then in 2027, or 2029. Time is not going to end tomorrow”.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/murray-barracks-soldiers-protect-taurama-foodland-shopping-centre/

Taurama Foodland Shopping center upon protection by soldiers from Murray Barracks has survived the citywide looting and arson.

This morning with assurance from soldiers, Pingan An Investment #2 allowed families from the military institution and surrounding areas to do shopping.

Despite a very long que, twenty people were let in at one time to do shopping.

Mrs Celestine Maibani expressed her disappointment with the situation that transpired yesterday but thanked soldiers for securing foodland for the dependents.
Chief Warrant Officer Allan Nanguromo, said foodland has been serving the soldiers and dependents for a long time so it was only right to secure the businesses operating in the area.

Interview of Murray Barracks Residents at Taurama Foodland Shopping Center.

FOUR more members of parliament from the Southern Region are the latest to resign from Government following yesterday’s destruction and looting of shops in the nation’s capital, Port Moresby.

Member for Abau and ODP Leader, Sir Puka Temu; Member for North Fly District and PFP Leader, James Donald; Member for Ijivitari, David Arore; and Member for Middle Fly, Maso Hewabi in a joint statement expressed their disappointment in the way senior Government leaders sat by, while shops and property were looted and set alight in Port Moresby.

The four MPs’ in a joint statement said the turmoil, destruction and civil unrest in Port Moresby led them to lose confidence in the Government, and the leadership of Prime Minister, James Marape.

Earlier this morning, two other MPs’ resigned from the Marape led government; Pangu man, James Nomane and major coalition partner in government from United Resource Party, Keith Iduhu. 

While Chimbu MP Nomane’s video went viral of his decision to quit government ranks, Hiri MP, Iduhu penned friend Marape of his decision to leave, labelling his leadership as being incapable.

“With all due respect, yesterday’s events have demonstrated to me that your leadership and the leadership of senior ministers and officials are incapable of fulfilling the sovereign duty of maintaining the rule of law and welfare of our people,” Mr. Iduhu said.

He added, “The core issue surrounding the grievances raised by the disciplinary forces was completely avoidable had it not been for bureaucratic negligence. And the ensuing events even after the Government was made aware of the situation displayed a lack of care for the potential for the situation to spiral out of control.”

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister who was schedule to visit East New Britain today, cancelled his trip as the situation throughout the country remained tense following riots in several parts of country.

NCD Governor, Powes Parkop on Talkback radio expressed disappointment at his city residents’ behaviour yesterday despite investing millions of Kina into the healthy mind and body yoga programs.

He was seen in a viral TikTok video with fellow Governor, Allan Bird driving around to show physical presence at Hotspots to curb any lawless behaviors from the public.

MOROBE Governor, Luther Wenge has called upon the Prime Minister James Marape to quickly call a parliament session and scrap the new income tax law.

Wenge says the recent protests in Port Moresby are a direct result of the new tax law enforced by the Internal Revenue Commission in 2024.

He emphasized that no one has ever stood up against such an unfair law, and called on the Prime Minister to address this issue by immediately convening a parliamentary session.

Wenge blamed the IRC for implementing the law and insisted that the Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament act swiftly to review and change it for the benefit of the nation.

He called for a halt to the improper imposition of taxes by the IRC, emphasizing the negative impact on businesses and citizens.

Wenge discouraged illegal activities like property destruction, however, he encouraged citizens to voice their concerns through elected leaders like himself.
He further added that it is important to address these issues through proper channels.

Governor Wenge explained the different income tax rates outlined in the 2024 Budget Amendment Bill of 2023, arguing that the ongoing situation is a direct outcome of the law and not a mistake by the IRC.

Wenge highlighted the economic challenges faced by the country, such as the devaluation of the kina, which lead to increased import costs for businesses, prompting a spike in the prices of goods.

He pointed out that this, coupled with existing loans has affected the salaries of public servants and those in the private sector.

Governor Luther Wenge expressed deep concern over the current situation, foreseeing significant hardships for the people of Papua New Guinea. He stressed that there is an urgent need for parliamentary intervention to amend the law and ease the burdens upon citizens.

Several shops in Port Moresby were looted then set on fire as looters cashed in on any items they could carry from the ravaged outlets. It comes as a protest lead by police officers in Port Moresby expressed anger over additional taxes imposed on fortnightly wages for public servants throughout the country.

The protest started at Unagi Oval at 10am yesterday morning, where Police Union President, Lowa Tambua addressed police, PNGDF personnel and other public servants.

Police Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr (Second from Left) present at the Police protest at Unagi Oval in Port Moresby yesterday.

Internal Security Minister, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr who represented the Marape Rosso government tried to address the upset public servants but they demanded the Prime Minister should address them.

Minutes after the departure of Minister Tsiamalili Jnr, members of the three disciplinary forces including the Fire Department convoyed to the National Parliament House in attempts to meet with the Prime Minister, James Marape.

The Parliament Speaker, Job Pomat meet with the angry public servants outside the Parliament House and promised he would meet with the Prime Minister and return to them in a few hours.

Around 1pm when Prime Minister Marape was addressing the media on a separate matter, angry police officers who had waited for a response at Unagi Oval fronted up outside the Manasupe House and broke down the fence before setting the Guard House and a security car on fire.

This sparked widespread looting in all three electorates in NCD.

Many people went live on social media as they witnessed the Stop n Shop’s North Waigani branch taken over by opportunists.

At around 10am yesterday, when normal public servants pay reached their accounts, many witnessed huge cuts of up to K100.
This further elaborated by the high cost of living affecting lives of ordinary citizens.
The country’s tax office – Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) in an immediate response said it was a glitch in the government payroll system.

Commissioner General Sam Koim said investigations will be conducted and a whole of government sector approach will be undertaken to rectify this issue as soon as possible.

When that will be fixed is not known yet, what is known is that several businesses have been looted as a result.
At Sabama, a bystander was allegedly shot at by a shop owner after attempts were made to loot the shop.

Elsewhere in six mile, a location for its stop over for people travelling the Magi highway, shops closed before lunch, yesterday, after police had warned them of any unrest.

Recent: https://insidepng.com/police-directed-to-track-down-man-in-viral-video/

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