The process of awarding citizenship to foreigners will take a different approach whenthe necessary laws are put in place.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says cabinet will now be involved in awarding of citizenship to foreigners.
He said this following a question raised by Nothern Province Governor Garry Juffa in parliament last week regardingthe granting of citizenship toIndonesian Fugitive Djoko Tjanadra
Governor Garry Juffa askedthe government to informthe country if public servants involved in granting citizenship to Tjandra will be penalised.
He also asked if Tjandra’s citizenship will be cancelled.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said Djoko Tjandra is now a citizen oPNG and was protected underthe country’s laws, and nether he northe government had any powers to revoke his citizenship.
He says while Tjandra’ passport was cancelled, review committee comprising three government ministers would review this decision as requested by Tjandra’s lawyers andthe government will act upon recommendations made from this review.
Prime Minister O’Neill is cautious not to set a bad precedence for the country.
Hetherefore said his government will changethe citizenship laws to ensurethe whole cabinet in involved when grating citizenship to foreigners in future.
Ruth Rungula, National EMTV News
