Former Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman Photo: RNZ Koroi Hawkins
The Prime Minister's Office in Vanuatu has filed a police complaint on Thursday for an alleged death threat targeting the newly elected prime minister Sato Kilman.
A spokesperson from the office told RNZ Pacific, police are looking into a post made on social media in which a person is allegedly threatening to shoot Kilman, 65.
"The Prime Minister has personally advised the police commissioner to investigate," PMO spokesperson said.
Police confirmed receiving the complaint.
They are treating the threat as a direct crime and not cyber crime, a police spokesperson told RNZ Pacific correspondent in Port Vila.
RNZ Pacific has reached out to Vanuatu Police for furhter details, but they refused to comment.
Kilman is also looking at ways to educate the public on how to use social media responsibly.
He stressed the importance of preserving freedom of speech while cautioning against its misuse.
A four-time Vanuatu prime minister, Kilman has only just been elected to the top job for a fifth time after ousting Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau's nine-month reign as the leader of government.
Photo: RNZ / Moera Tuilaepa-Taylor