IR431. International Border Security: PNG Border Security

To 🇵🇬

https://www.facebook.com/dwu.official/videos/443206736799349/

To Conclude
MAIN MESSAGE

OUR STATE BORDERS (WHETHER IT BE SEA, LAND OR AIR) ARE THE GATEWAY INTO OUT COUNTRY. IF LEFT UNPROTECTED OUR COUNTRY WILL BE AT RISK OF MANY SECURITY THREATS. EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN PNG IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING OUR BORDERS. PROTECTING OUR BORDERS STARTS WITH US PAPUA NEW GUINEANS, WHEN WE REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY A LONG OUR BORDER. DO YOUR PART.

LAND

The only land border we share with another sovereign country is that of the Indonesian border that runs entire length from north to south in the heart of the island of New Guinea. The border was ruled by the former colonizers of both parts of the island, border also leaves out or disregards the cultural connections the people share, thus the border is poorly defined, and has been the cause of many issues between the sovereign state of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

The relationship the PNG shares with Indonesia can be tied to tradition, kinship and cultural similarities between the Provinces located at the border on the PNG side and the West Papuans on the side of Indonesia, this makes it much easier for the movement of people back and forth across the border using cultural tied as an excuse, than in addition to our weak border agencies located at the PNG – Indonesian border (Sandaun Border) such as ineffective border patrol system, the Sandaun border remains wide open for smuggling and illegal entry by foot. Apart from illegal entry and smuggling there are also illicit activities that take place along the border, some of these are: the selling of Asian made goods, selling od guns and to PNG locals and s*x work or prostitution.



SEA

PNG according the Defense white paper policy is perceived as a maritime nation because of the number of sea border it has with other countries. This leaves are very large area to cover in terms of sea patrol and security of our national seas, from the northern borders all the way around to the islands of Daru in the Western Province, Maritime security is one of the key areas of border security. Due to the enormous size of our maritime zone, transnational crimes such as terrorism, arms smuggling, human and drug trafficking has raised serious concerns for our country PNG our big brother neighbor Australia. Australia concerns about issues such as this because it is through PNG water that they may be able to reach Australia Because PNG sits at a geographical significant position that separates the Asian domain from the South Pacific. Over the years there have been countless incidents of illegal migrants, fishing boats and vessels and unannounced shipping cargo that have passed through our waters or have landed on our shores. Our PNG naval division have always been assisted by Australian to carry out maritime surveillance and checks because we as a country lack the proper facility and infrastructure to do so ourselves.

AIR

Our only point of entry and exit through air is by the Jacksons international Airport in Port Moresby, although we have an Air Transport Wing that should be carrying out border surveillance the department is starved of funding and infrastructure, the same with all other Border agencies, such so air security now heavily depends on the Civil Aviation and Airport security to carry out proper aircraft detection services, airport baggage scans and passenger checks to ensure that no illegal narcotics or humans are smuggled into the country.



THE ACTS

This awareness has used PNG Customs Act 1951, The National Maritime Zone Act 2015, PNG National Seas Act 2015, the Civil Aviation Act 2000 and the PNG Criminal code 1971, as legislations to evaluate and verify these border issues and case studies. We have found out that the majority of these acts do not cover event of pressing transnational crimes and in addition the penalties sanctioned for these crimes are not as tough as those of our neighboring counties. So in addition to weak border systems, lack of funding and infrastructure our laws cannot possibly dishearten or cause perpetrators to not carry out their illegal activities through and in PNG. We need stronger laws and more funding for our Key border agencies in order to prevent Transnational crimes in our country.

SEVEN Indonesians were fined K2,500 each in default six months jail after they pleaded guilty in the Kiunga district court to illegally entering Papua New Guinea (PNG) via the Western border.
North Fly commander Chief Insp Silva Sika said the Indonesians were charged under Section 16 (1) (a) of the Migration Act.
“They will; be detained in the Kiunga Police Station lock-up until they settled their fine,” he said.
Chief Insp Sika said he had spoken to the Indonesian Consul-General’s office in Vanimo and “I am working with them to ensure we have the seven men repatriated to Indonesia only after they have paid their fine”.
“All seven have undergone their Covid-19 test and are adhering to the pandemic measures in the district,” he said.
“They entered PNG illegally on March 29, on the pretense of alluvial mining.
“After their arrival, they set up camp at the Ningerum LLG for a couple of days before police were alerted of their presence.
“The men crossed into Ningerum on March 29, bringing along for alluvial mining activities down the river from the Ok Tedi mine.”
Chief Insp Sika said a police team was sent to arrest the Indonesians for questioning and then charged.
He urged border villagers not to entertain illegal border crossers because “it is against our law and the country’s coronavirus (Covid-19 protocol measures”).

https://www.thenational.com.pg/k2500-fine-for-illegal-crossing/

It is difficult for the normal citizen to look after our air space. The protection of our Air space and entry and exit by air is the responsibility of the border agencies such as the Military Air wing and the civil aviation, yet our Military air wing severely starved of resources and infrastructure to carry out full operation such as border surveillance, this is an extreme weakness with our PNG defense force that give way to transnational crimes such as drug smuggling

Below are some of the identified strengths and weaknesses of the PNG Civil Aviation Act 2000.

A new Legislation for Drug Crimes is in the process and will be effective soon..

Legislations are created documented successfully, but the problem is, we do not complete with the effective implementation part of it - we really NEED to increase the surveillance capabilities and that will fulfillingly accompanying the legislations instead of just words and papers..

Legislation for drug crimes PNG Customs Commissioner Ray Paul was also present to speak with media at the Police Headquarters, when the drugs were hauled in. He said such crimes need an...