FORMER PM O’NEILL STATEMENT ON GOVERNMENT BLOCKING FACEBOOK YESTERDAY AND TODAY (25-26/03/2025)

Hon Peter O'NIEL, Former Prime Minister & Member for Ialibu-Pangia

Hon Peter O’Neil MP

Member for Pangia-Ialibu, Leader of PNC Party & Former Prime Minister

Port Moresby

26th March, 2025

Former PM O’Neill statement on Government blocking Facebook yesterday and today (25-26/03/2025)

Why do this so called “test” the same day Marape attends court in the Paraka matter not as a suspect but as a State witness. Perhaps just a coincidence but clearly our people, not just those active on social media, but most citizens: find the situation troubling.

The Police Minister surely is acting on instructions from Marape to prevent social media activity but what is the real outcome?

Will this not just make our people even more frustrated, unhappier and suspicious of the Marape government who seems to be introducing legislation fundamentally changing not just our Constitution but our 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.

Look Facebook has its problems but it is also a valve to let off frustrations for many people who are rightly upset at the direction our country is heading. It is 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 the every thought of our people.

Marape should stop trying to be tricky and let our country flourish.

Let us live up to our possibilities not embarrass us with your draconian and crazy ideas.