A Papua New Guinea community leader says he was not surprised by the Tuesday riot in Madang given some of the issues facing locals.
At least one person was killed when up to 500 opportunists, mixed with protestors against land grabs and capitalism, targetted Asian-owned shops.
Former Governor and government minister, Sir Arnold Amet, says people are also concerned with the impact of a proposed Pacific Marine Industrial Zone and the dominance of the commercial sector by Asians.
Sir Arnold says things have come to a head and the riots were not a shock to those following developments.
"It can be better managed. You get a gathering like this and it's not controlled it's liable to erupt in unfortunate ways that it has but the issues I have to say from my experience and seeing these developments taking place was not surprising and it will continue unless the governments and the commerce industry sector address these issues."
Looters on the loose in Madang town, Papua New Guinea. Photo: Tamara Kruzang
