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.”
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 Moresby South District Development Authority in NCD recently presented Seven (7) vehicles to support policing in the district.
The vehicles were purchased by Moresby South District Development Authority in Partnership with NCDC, and will be distributed to various police posts in Moresby South.
These police vehicles will help improve police presence in crime hotspot areas in the district.
Badili Police Station Commander Obert Jerry said there is a need for more police presence in hotspot areas like 2-mile hill, Koki, Kaugere, and Badili.
“We will place our policemen there permanently so that police presence and visibility must be maintained in Moresby South,” Jerry said.
In a growing city like Port Moresby, policing has always been a challenge.
NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika said dealing with crime in NCD is tough and difficult, due to limited resources.
He further acknowledged this support to empower policing, and challenged police personnel to be disciplined and look after these resources.
“These assets come from the public purse. It comes with expectations and conditions from the commissioner, divisional commander and the citizens,” The Metropolitan Superintendent said.
Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko when presenting the keys to the police, highlighted plans to empower policing in the district.
With Koki being one of the hotspots of petty crimes in the city, a police post will be opened in the area, with police personnel to be stationed there.
The Moresby South MP said, plans are underway for a police post to be built in Taurama.
“Everybody has a role to play, most importantly to make sure our city and Moresby South is safe and sound,” Tkatchenko said.
Together with the vehicles, the police officers were also presented with new police uniforms.
Papua New Guinea’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Justin Tkatchenko, this afternoon announced stepping aside as Foreign Affairs Minister following protests over statements he made in the media.
Both Tkatchenko and his daughter were the subjects of wide public debate on social media after his daughter posted a TikTok.
The video showed his daughter, Savannah Tkatchenko, parading extravagant meals and a shopping spree during the public funded trip for the Coronation of King Charles.
Papua New Guineans criticized Tkatchenko’s daughter for what they perceived as a waste and inappropriate use of the taxpayer monies.
Tkatchenko responded to critics in a radio interview with ABC calling the social media commentors “primitive animals”
Tkatchenko says his comments were directed at internet trolls and cyber bullies who hailed hateful comments toward his daughter adding that his daughter is now traumatized by the comments on social media.
However, his response only seemed to fan the controversy, with many Papua New Guineans taking to social media and the streets to express their anger and frustration with the Foreign Minister’s apparent lack of respect.
Many have called for Tkatchenko to apologize, while some have suggested that he resign from his position as Foreign Minister.
In light of this, Prime Minister James Marape has issued a public statement asking the people of Papua New Guinea to forgive the Foreign Minister for his recent comments.
Marape says Minister Tkatchenko has apologised to the people of Papua New Guinea for the remarks he made on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio interview.
He further added that he too was offended by Tkatchenko’s remarks, labelling social media critics of his daughter as “primitive animals”, but had accepted the minister’s apology and asked all Papua New Guineans to do the same.
Marape’s statement has been met with mixed reactions from the public, with some praising his call for forgiveness and reconciliation, while others argue that Tkatchenko should still be held accountable for his actions.
The PNG Trade Union Congress has condemned Tkatchenko’s labelling of Papua New Guineans and demanded that he resign.
President of the Police Association, Lowa Tambua said the Prime Minister should not make an individual decision to forgive Tkatchenko on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea but let the people decide.
The TUC also demanded that Tkatchenko be deported from the country, arguing that his actions have brought disrepute to Papua New Guinea on the international stage.
The Union leaders concerns were centered around Tkatchenko’s lack of representation and poor choice of words as a leader of this country and leader of the people.
Tkatchenko conveyed a second public apology in a press conference this afternoon with an official announcement that he will step down.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister James Marape in a statement has made known that he will take charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Events Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP departed the country today in a bid to encourage stronger diplomatic relationships for Papua New Guinea between three South East Asian countries of Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
Minister Tkatchenko who led a delegation of five officials will travel to Jakarta where he will meet his Indonesian Counterpart Hon. Retno Marsudi over a period of 3 days to focus on key bilateral issues affecting both countries. “In the last couple of weeks, we have passed the Basic Border Agreement (BBA) in Parliament which opens the way now for a full review for all parties to come on board and review the BBA.” “This agreement enables us to talk about our boundaries, trade, traditions and culture and our people “and review a long outstanding border agreement that would now be reviewed.” “This includes those members that are on the borders, including the defence and police to enable a common understanding with our border of West Papua, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea,” Minister Tkatchenko said this was long overdue. “As we have stated very clearly, Indonesia is a sovereign country and we respect this nation.”
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
“If there are any issues that Indonesia wants us to be involved especially with West Papua, we are more than happy to support and assist.” “We look forward to that open dialogue on West Papua with the Foreign Minister Marsudi.” “We have officially passed the reciprocal visa arrangements between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, those with a diplomatic passport or official passport will get visa on arrival here in PNG and also in Indonesia.” Minister Tkatchenko said another very important matter is the Defence Cooperation Agreement between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. This has been approved by the National Executive Council that allows both the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and Indonesian Defence Force to strengthen their ties and their cooperation in areas of mutual security concerns. The three-day visit to Indonesia will also capture initial coordination plans of the official visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in June this year. “Straight after Indonesia I travel to Malaysia to meet the new Foreign Minister and their new government as well.” “We will strengthen our ties with Malaysia as they are big economic and trading partner to PNG.” Minister Tkatchenko said.
Picture Courtesy of the Office of The Minister for Foreign Affairs & National Events
Minister for Foreign Affairs and National Events Hon. Justin Tkatchenko MP will make an Official Visit to China upon the invitation of the Government of The People’s Republic of China.
Addressing the media today before his departure, Minister Tkatchenko said he will be meeting with recently appointed Chinese Foreign Minister, Qin Gang and will also attend the 2023 Annual Conference of The Boao Forum for Asia. Minister Tkatchenko said his Chinese counterpart was previously the chief of protocol for the President of China and had already visited Papua New Guinea on more than one occasion. “He is now the foreign minister and I look forward in working with him for our relationship between China and Papua New Guinea.” “We will be discussing our bilateral relationship, working relationship going forward.” “We will be discussing our economic importance between Papua New Guinea and China.” “China being one of our biggest trading partners to Papua New Guinea and also people to people arrangements, infrastructure, education, health and development, we will be holding discussions in these areas too.”
“I only go on these tours when I know there’s going to be good outcomes for the people of Papua New Guinea and for our country.” “When it comes to deference, security, health, education, investment and trade, these things must come forward for the benefit of our people.” This official trip will also cover a visit to Shenzhen City which currently has a sister city arrangement with Port Moresby and the National Capital District. “We will be renewing our sister-city relationship with our capital city and with Shenzhen.” “We will also be going to Guangdong, looking at their facilities there in education, environment and their zoo and doing some conservation work with them. “A very productive six day trip to China covering many aspects but also to see and introduce ourselves to Mr. Qin, the new Foreign Minister who has already been to Papua New Guinea.”
Papua New Guinea is expected to review the land boundary it shares with Indonesia’s West Papua Province.
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko before travelling to Jakarta yesterday, said PNG is now able to discuss this with Indonesia after Parliament passed the Basic Border Agreement.
“The Basic Boarder Agreement which opens the way now for all parties to come on board and review the Basic Border Agreement and talk about our boundaries, talk about our trade, talk about our traditions, our culture, and our people”, said Tkatchenko.
This is the second visit to Jakarta where Tkatchenko is expected to discuss issues like the PNG Defence Force and Indonesian Defence Force Cooperation Agreement and have open discussion on the West Papua issue.
“The Foreign Minister and I will also be discussing about West Papua. And as I have stated already, Indonesia is a sovereign country, and we respect Indonesia. If there are any issues Indonesia wants us to get involved in with West Papua, we are more than happy to support,” Tkatchenko said.
Since the first visit by Minister Tkatchenko in December 2022, both Governments have been working on improving economic, security, social and traditional ties between the two countries.
In the recent Parliament Sitting, the National Executive Council also approved the Reciprocal of Rectification for Visa Exceptions for Indonesian diplomats and government officials entering both countries.
“So the green and red passports for all the secretaries, government officials that we have in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia and all the diplomats we have in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, we can travel to each country freely with visa on arrival, ” said Tkatchenko.
