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Showing posts from June, 2010

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SIR PAULIAS MATANE IS ILLEGALLY OCCUPYING THE PNG VICE REGAL OFFICE

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NATIONAL EDITORIAL THE legal advice provided to the prime minister on the appointment of the governor-general is seriously flawed. The actions of Parliament in the recent controversial re-appointment of the governor-general were contrary to the explicit directions provided by the Constitution. The appointment of Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane for a second term as governor-general, therefore, cannot be held to be legal. The legal advice or, as it turned out, the legal position adopted by the government and Parliament, is a clear misreading of section 87 of the Constitution and should not stand any serious contest of it in a court of law. The part of the Constitution cited as the basis for the advice is section 87(5). Clearly, and in plain English, that entire section deals only with “qualifications for appointment” to the post of governor-general. It makes no mention of the process for the “appointment of the GG” which is, again, very clearly spelled out in the following section. Sectio

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME! SIR PAULIAS MATANE IS ILLEGALLY OCCUPYING THE PNG VICE REGAL OFFICE

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NATIONAL EDITORIAL THE legal advice provided to the prime minister on the appointment of the governor-general is seriously flawed. The actions of Parliament in the recent controversial re-appointment of the governor-general were contrary to the explicit directions provided by the Constitution. The appointment of Grand Chief Sir Paulias Matane for a second term as governor-general, therefore, cannot be held to be legal. The legal advice or, as it turned out, the legal position adopted by the government and Parliament, is a clear misreading of section 87 of the Constitution and should not stand any serious contest of it in a court of law. The part of the Constitution cited as the basis for the advice is section 87(5). Clearly, and in plain English, that entire section deals only with “qualifications for appointment” to the post of governor-general. It makes no mention of the process for the “appointment of the GG” which is, again, very clearly spelled out in the following section. Sect

K26 Million Stolen from Works Department - Gone in a Sink Hole

South Pacific Post A STAGGERING K26 million “disappeared without a trace” from the Works Department - part of the money paid out for improvements and structures in the Highlands Highway Rehabilitation Program in Chimbu. The K26 million was part of the K54 million reportedly paid to the landowners for improvements and structures along the 20m corridors on the Highlands Highway between 2005 and 2006. “It is as if the money has sunk into a big hole. We can’t tell. There is not a single trace of it, we can’t account for this money,” Works Secretary Joel Luma said yesterday. Mr Luma said police could not carry out an investigation into the massive fraud involving the first payment of K54 million because their own investigation into the whole affair was incomplete. “We have names on the cheques but we do not have addresses and telephone numbers. How do you trace these payments? It is very hard because we can’t verify the payments,” Mr Luma said. Mr Luma said there was an investigation by pol

K26 Million Stolen from Works Department - Gone in a Sink Hole

South Pacific Post A STAGGERING K26 million “disappeared without a trace” from the Works Department - part of the money paid out for improvements and structures in the Highlands Highway Rehabilitation Program in Chimbu. The K26 million was part of the K54 million reportedly paid to the landowners for improvements and structures along the 20m corridors on the Highlands Highway between 2005 and 2006. “It is as if the money has sunk into a big hole. We can’t tell. There is not a single trace of it, we can’t account for this money,” Works Secretary Joel Luma said yesterday. Mr Luma said police could not carry out an investigation into the massive fraud involving the first payment of K54 million because their own investigation into the whole affair was incomplete. “We have names on the cheques but we do not have addresses and telephone numbers. How do you trace these payments? It is very hard because we can’t verify the payments,” Mr Luma said. Mr Luma said there was an investigation

Mobile phone entrant fails first requirement: bemobile penalised

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SOLOMON STAR NEW mobile phone entrant bemobile has failed to live up to one of the first requirements under its licence. This had cost the Papua New Guinea-based telecommunications company USD$1.5 million (SBD$12 million). Telecommunications commissioner Nicholas Williams said he had taken the $12 million from a demand guarantee of USD$10 million (SBD$80) provided by bemobile to ensure its compliance with the network coverage obligation in its licence. Under its licence, mobile is required to launch a network serving 25 per cent of the population by 18 June 2010.  Mr Williams said he had given bemobile an extension until 30 August to become compliant with its licence.  “If bemobile were not to meet this new deadline, I will take an additional USD$1 million (SBD$8m) from the demand guarantee,” he said. “There are further coverage thresholds that bemobile is required to meet,” Mr Williams said. He said he expects bemobile to work strenuously and diligently to meet these thresholds and ca

Mobile phone entrant fails first requirement: bemobile penalised

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SOLOMON STAR NEW mobile phone entrant bemobile has failed to live up to one of the first requirements under its licence. This had cost the Papua New Guinea-based telecommunications company USD$1.5 million (SBD$12 million). Telecommunications commissioner Nicholas Williams said he had taken the $12 million from a demand guarantee of USD$10 million (SBD$80) provided by bemobile to ensure its compliance with the network coverage obligation in its licence. Under its licence, mobile is required to launch a network serving 25 per cent of the population by 18 June 2010.  Mr Williams said he had given bemobile an extension until 30 August to become compliant with its licence.  “If bemobile were not to meet this new deadline, I will take an additional USD$1 million (SBD$8m) from the demand guarantee,” he said. “There are further coverage thresholds that bemobile is required to meet,” Mr Williams said. He said he expects bemobile to work strenuously and diligently to meet these thresholds and

When aid is just a waste of money

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SUSAN MERRELL Papua New Guinea (PNG) is embedded in the Australian psyche as the arena where many died fighting for their country during the Second World War. Notions of Australian nationhood were born in the PNG jungles at places like Kokoda. More recently, PNG, while recognised as a country of huge mineral wealth is also one that is experiencing significant social and economic problems where corruption is rife. Transparency International rates PNG as 154th out of 180 countries on a corruption scale (180th being most corrupt). PNG has also been identified as part of the Asian/Pacific 'Arc of Instability' surrounding Australia, as such it's in Australia's best interests to prop up this young and fragile nation. To this end, since PNG independence, Australia has been providing the country with ever-increasing aid funding which is tipped to rise to $457 million next year. Nevertheless, PNG's problems just seem to worsen, begging the question of the aid's efficacy

LIFE TERMS FOR GUN DEATHS

National Ed WE each face all forms of hazards in our respective jobs. From the builder laying bricks on a high-rise to the policeman going in search of an armed criminal, there is always the danger of coming to some grievous bodily harm or worse. And, when disaster strikes, as it did our colleague Sent Timbi last Saturday in Mt Hagen, it leaves those living – friends, colleagues and especially relatives – feeling drained, empty inside and shattered. We knew Timbi well as a forever smiling, respectful and even a little shy big fellow who did his work quietly. He basically thought himself journalism by working tirelessly as a stringer for The National (before he joined the Post-Courier), rarely bitter if his material was not run. He will sorely be missed by all who knew him. For reasons we are yet to ascertain, Timbi was shot dead in cold blood as he stood waiting unsuspectingly to meet a relative who had told him earlier by phone that he had a problem he needed sorting out. Timbi met, i

LIFE TERMS FOR GUN DEATHS

National Ed WE each face all forms of hazards in our respective jobs. From the builder laying bricks on a high-rise to the policeman going in search of an armed criminal, there is always the danger of coming to some grievous bodily harm or worse. And, when disaster strikes, as it did our colleague Sent Timbi last Saturday in Mt Hagen, it leaves those living – friends, colleagues and especially relatives – feeling drained, empty inside and shattered. We knew Timbi well as a forever smiling, respectful and even a little shy big fellow who did his work quietly. He basically thought himself journalism by working tirelessly as a stringer for The National (before he joined the Post-Courier), rarely bitter if his material was not run. He will sorely be missed by all who knew him. For reasons we are yet to ascertain, Timbi was shot dead in cold blood as he stood waiting unsuspectingly to meet a relative who had told him earlier by phone that he had a problem he needed sorting out. Timbi met,

Wealth Creation Losing Shine Whilst Still Inside the Shell

Patriotic Nationalist The Sale of the 5% shares of BSP to the World Bank owned Investment company - IFC by IPBC smells fishy. The absurdity has also been helped by BSPs sale of another 5% to this international financial institution to make its ownership swell to 10%. NASFUND has been quite disappointed lately on a number of BSP decisions. One of these comments is quoted below. Jury out on excessive capital raising Where NASFUND remains skeptical is the current large capital adequacy of the Bank (approximately 24%) and whether it is required. The Bank has been collecting capital far in excess of current needs. This is also well above the regulatory minimum and currently represents in our view lazy capital. The Banks argument that they need additional capital because they want to participate in increased loan activity surrounding the LNG project cannot be faulted however BSP has probably over estimated the amount of capital required, considering that the evidence to date is that the majo

Wealth Creation Losing Shine Whilst Still Inside the Shell

Patriotic Nationalist The Sale of the 5% shares of BSP to the World Bank owned Investment company - IFC by IPBC smells fishy. The absurdity has also been helped by BSPs sale of another 5% to this international financial institution to make its ownership swell to 10%. NASFUND has been quite disappointed lately on a number of BSP decisions. One of these comments is quoted below. Jury out on excessive capital raising Where NASFUND remains skeptical is the current large capital adequacy of the Bank (approximately 24%) and whether it is required. The Bank has been collecting capital far in excess of current needs. This is also well above the regulatory minimum and currently represents in our view lazy capital. The Banks argument that they need additional capital because they want to participate in increased loan activity surrounding the LNG project cannot be faulted however BSP has probably over estimated the amount of capital required, considering that the evidence to date is that the

Government arrogance knows no limits

ACT-NOW Papua New Guinea's democracy has been further stained with the news the government has refused to accept the community petition against the 'Maladina' amendments which make changes to the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership . The petition, which contains over 20,000 signitures, was presented to five opposition MPs at Parliament House on May 4th when no government representatives were prepared to male themselves available. But since then the petition has languished in the office of the Leader of the Opposition as the the government has refused to accept the petition and the Clerk of Parliament was ordered not to take it. The government seems to have lost all sense of its role as the representatives of the people and to refuse to accept a petition with 20,000 signatures is unbelievably arrogant. The petition is now back in the hands of the Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) and its partners, including Transparency International. PNG

Government arrogance knows no limits

ACT-NOW Papua New Guinea's democracy has been further stained with the news the government has refused to accept the community petition against the 'Maladina' amendments which make changes to the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership . The petition, which contains over 20,000 signitures, was presented to five opposition MPs at Parliament House on May 4th when no government representatives were prepared to male themselves available. But since then the petition has languished in the office of the Leader of the Opposition as the the government has refused to accept the petition and the Clerk of Parliament was ordered not to take it. The government seems to have lost all sense of its role as the representatives of the people and to refuse to accept a petition with 20,000 signatures is unbelievably arrogant. The petition is now back in the hands of the Community Coalition Against Corruption (CCAC) and its partners, including Transparency Internation

PM APPOINTS SON AS FINANCE MINISTER

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NATIONAL REPORTS PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has appointed his son Angoram MP Arthur Somare the acting Finance and Treasury Minister. Government insiders told The National the prime minister signed the instrument for the appointment of Somare last Friday, and a public announcement on this change is expected this week. This portfolio became vacant after incumbent Patrick Pruaitch was suspended from office because of his referral to a leadership tribunal over allegations of misconduct in office. Pruatich is challenging his referral in court, and the case is pending. There has been a lot of jostling and lobbying for this job since Pruaitch vacated it, and a number of ministers and backbenchers were hoping the job would go to them. But, insiders said, the job had to remain in the Momase region under the Kokopo Agreement that the National Alliance and its coalition partners agreed to after the general elections.  “A number of eligible and qualified candidates have missed out, but that

PM APPOINTS SON AS FINANCE MINISTER

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NATIONAL REPORTS PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has appointed his son Angoram MP Arthur Somare the acting Finance and Treasury Minister. Government insiders told The National the prime minister signed the instrument for the appointment of Somare last Friday, and a public announcement on this change is expected this week. This portfolio became vacant after incumbent Patrick Pruaitch was suspended from office because of his referral to a leadership tribunal over allegations of misconduct in office. Pruatich is challenging his referral in court, and the case is pending. There has been a lot of jostling and lobbying for this job since Pruaitch vacated it, and a number of ministers and backbenchers were hoping the job would go to them. But, insiders said, the job had to remain in the Momase region under the Kokopo Agreement that the National Alliance and its coalition partners agreed to after the general elections.  “A number of eligible and qualified candidates have missed out, b

Chinese embassy car plates used in Tan murder

Post Courier POLICE have uncovered a scandal involving a senior diplomatic staff member at the Chinese embassy in Port Moresby. It involves the issue of diplomatic corps number plates allegedly provided by the embassy staff to its citizens who are not staff members of the Chinese embassy. The police have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate the staff member from the Chinese Embassy who was alleged to have allowed one of its citizens to drive a vehicle with a DC number plate belonging to the embassy and another one found in a vehicle allegedly used in the attempted assassination of Chinese businessman Jason Tan. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Crimes Division, Raphael Huafolo raised this concern in a letter to the Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs operations in January this year. In his letter, ACP Huafolo expressed dissatisfaction on the conduct of the diplomatic staff for allegedly allowing a Chinese national who was not a diplomatic staff member to drive a vehi

Chinese embassy car plates used in Tan murder

Post Courier POLICE have uncovered a scandal involving a senior diplomatic staff member at the Chinese embassy in Port Moresby. It involves the issue of diplomatic corps number plates allegedly provided by the embassy staff to its citizens who are not staff members of the Chinese embassy. The police have asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to investigate the staff member from the Chinese Embassy who was alleged to have allowed one of its citizens to drive a vehicle with a DC number plate belonging to the embassy and another one found in a vehicle allegedly used in the attempted assassination of Chinese businessman Jason Tan. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Crimes Division, Raphael Huafolo raised this concern in a letter to the Deputy Secretary for Foreign Affairs operations in January this year. In his letter, ACP Huafolo expressed dissatisfaction on the conduct of the diplomatic staff for allegedly allowing a Chinese national who was not a diplomatic staff member to drive a

A HIGHER CALLING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

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SIR JULIUS CHAN I rise today for a simple purpose. I want to bring a cautionary tale to this debate on environment. I want to bring a cautionary tale to the Parliament, the country of Papua New Guinea and our people on rights to live in clean natural environment and in peace. We often seek to model ourselves after the West. We often seek to model ourselves after countries such as England or America or Australia that we think have become “modern” – that we think have become “developed”. Alright. That is not a bad goal. But sometimes the so-called “advanced” countries can provide us not only with lessons about how we should develop – sometimes they can provide us with lessons about how we should not develop. I have visited America more than most politicians in Papua New Guinea. I have come to know America over the years. And I have come to respect America. This is the country that has been in the forefront of promoting democracy around the world. This is the country that has elected a bl

A HIGHER CALLING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

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SIR JULIUS CHAN I rise today for a simple purpose. I want to bring a cautionary tale to this debate on environment. I want to bring a cautionary tale to the Parliament, the country of Papua New Guinea and our people on rights to live in clean natural environment and in peace. We often seek to model ourselves after the West. We often seek to model ourselves after countries such as England or America or Australia that we think have become “modern” – that we think have become “developed”. Alright. That is not a bad goal. But sometimes the so-called “advanced” countries can provide us not only with lessons about how we should develop – sometimes they can provide us with lessons about how we should not develop. I have visited America more than most politicians in Papua New Guinea. I have come to know America over the years. And I have come to respect America. This is the country that has been in the forefront of promoting democracy around the world. This is the country that has elected a

Somare's attempts at dictatorship gather pace

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ACTNOW Prime Minister Michael Somare's attempts to rule Papua New Guinea like an African dictator have taken another step forward with an Edict from the Minister for Justice (see attached pdf below) that bans public debate on the Environment Act amendment and orders the police to stop any public gatherings or protests. Over recent months we have seem Somare treat Parliament with contempt. He has bulldozed legislation through the House without any prior consultation, Parliamentary scrutiny or debate. He has ordered the Clerk of Parliament not to accept a public petition with over 20,000 signatures. He has refused to step aside to face the serious criminal charges that should flow from his illegal and criminal conduct in the Moti Affair. Now he has topped all of that with an audacious move to silence any debate about the controversial amendments to the Environment Act. Justice Minister and Attorney General, Ano Pala, has circulated to the media an astonishing edict (see b