Jeffrey Elapa – A peaceful protest march was held in Madang on Saturday by Divine Word University students over the alleged border incursions by Indonesian soldiers.

More than 500 students and Madang residents walked with placards through the town to the Bates oval where speeches were made. The march was organised by international relations students at the university.

Protesters chanted and carried placards expressing concerns that the incursions were a violation of territorial integrity and national sovereignty. They accused the Government of being silent, slow and indecisive over the incursions.

Speakers said the continuous incursions by the Indonesian soldiers and terrorising of PNG citizens was a threat to national security and an abuse of human rights.

Student leaders said the act of unprovoked aggression by the Indonesians should be totally condemned and shamed. No more apologies and excuses must be accepted.

They said monies like the US$40 million in an MP's account in Singapore should be used to improve PNG's security and surveillance along the border.

The students also called on the Government to immediately sack PNG Defence Force commander, Peter Ilau, for not advising Cabinet well on national security issues affecting the country.

They said that the Defence White Paper policy of downsizing the force was of poor judgment and must be abolished. Instead, PNGDF numbers must be increased so that enough men are stationed at the border.