Logging companies
p. 12 · Read in the full issue
Papua New Guinea
Identification cards required
Papua New Guineans travelling from their homes to anywhere in the country will be required to get themselves registered and carry identification cards. Prime Minister Paias Wingti announced that cabinet has agreed to introduce a system of national registration and the issue of identification cards throughout the country. Wingti also said cabinet had agreed to amend the constitutional provisions relating to burden of proof and bail.
If both proposed amendments become law, in serious cases like rape and armed robbery a suspect will be required to prove his innocence instead of the prosecution having to prove guilt as is currently the case. Wingti said the same proposed amendment also would seek to increase the number of serious offences for which defendents would be denied bail. ***
Logging companies
warned
Foreign logging companies operating in PNG have been told to move out if criticisms continue over the government’s new forest laws. The government is critical of Malaysian logging company, Rimbunan Hijau and other forest industry devel opers for sponsoring public debates on the forestry laws.
Forest minister Tim Neville says foreign companies operating in PNG have no right to question the laws of the country but must operate within the new laws. He said foreigners should not dictate to the government on the development of resources.
“My message is clear, if you don’t like the laws we have, then get out”, he said.