1Berita English – Major Unrest Erupts in Papua New Guinea as Mass Demonstration in Port Moresby Turns Chaotic
A significant disturbance unfolded in Papua New Guinea as citizens engaged in a massive demonstration in Port Moresby on Wednesday (10/1). Numerous stores were looted and even set ablaze during the incident.
According to ABC Net reports, hundreds of citizens demonstrated at the parliament building in Port Moresby following a payroll error affecting civil servants’ salaries. The salaries of civil servants in Papua New Guinea were reduced by 300 Kina, approximately Rp1.2 million, due to an error claimed by the Papua New Guinea Taxation Office.
The affected citizens staged a mass protest. The initial demonstration proceeded peacefully with police escort, but it suddenly escalated into chaos, leading to looting incidents.
St John Ambulance reported receiving a large number of emergency calls related to burn injuries and injuries resulting from the rioting in the capital district.
In a statement, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape declared that the national cabinet had requested defense personnel assistance to support the police in restoring order.
“I urge citizens to protect our city. Police and civil service complaints are being addressed, and the missing wages will be paid in the next payroll,” Marape stated.
Major shopping centers in the city center were seen engulfed in flames by the rioters. Social media videos depicted numerous stores in Port Moresby being looted and set on fire.
Alam Bhuiyan, a Bangladeshi refugee residing in Port Moresby, revealed that his supermarket was raided and looted as the number of police guarding the protests diminished. He described his now-empty store, devoid of anything, and losing everything.
Papua New Guinea Opposition Leader Joseph Lelang stated that the unrest and protests reflect significant economic hardships in the country.
“The unemployment rate is extremely high, and the government may have underestimated the economic difficulties and hardships our people face here,” Lelang remarked.
He highlighted the rise in inflation without corresponding real wage increases, asserting that these protests and unrest are a way for citizens to voice their frustration with the dismal state of the country.
