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Showing posts from February, 2012

Dictators I have known

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By Susan Merrell Well…actually… I don't know any personally , but in my studies I have encountered many.   They have similar characteristics.   Their methods are eerily formulaic in their sameness.   WARNING: The people to whom they dictate rarely live 'happily ever after.' Belden Norman Namah is Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Minister for Forestry (a handy portfolio when your personal fortune is tied up with logging), Minister for Climate Control (ditto), Acting Minister for State Enterprises and Acting Minister for Defence.   Under the circumstances, there's little wonder another commentator called him 'Belden the Ubiquitous'   (Please forgive me if he's returned any of his acting ministries to their rightful owners and I've missed it)    Namah is a Prime Ministerial 'wannabe'; an ambition he informed me of personally because he is someone with whom I'm acquainted. Late last year, he puffed out his fleshy chest and boomed:   &q

Is Powes Parkop seat safe...I hope so

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Did you know that in the last Election in 2007, there was about 76 contestant for the Oro Regional seat? Well if you don't, then I am telling you, so now you know. Out of that many the candidates, only Pastor Taminabae won, not Pastor Oswald Taminabae but his uncle. I know the Taminabae's, because one them is Oldim Taminabae, with whom I used to play Rugby Union against. He was and still is a Policeman so he played for the Royals Club and I played for the Barbarians (a club made up of Australian & Kiwi Expats).... The Taminabae's are also famous musicians. They had a Gospel Band called the Higher Vision, and their Gospel music was very very popular in the 80's and still is...but I must say I am disappointed with Pastor Taminabae not as a Pastor and man of God, but as the Governor for Oro....Late last week I met an old friend, and I did know that he was one of the 76 candidate for the Oro Regional seat, in 2007, and he actually came 5ft, out of the 76...and his name

And they all live corruptly ever after...

There once ruled a grand old chief, who ruled with a hand that was stiff. One day he fell quite sick, think becoz of being such a dick. He sought treatment the world over, where in Singapore he fell in a coma. His stupid ass dim witted son, announced his father's days of rule were now over and done. Now with that his father suddenly awoke, and when told of the news he nearly had a stroke. He called for his son and this is what he spoke. Arthur you pakin kan!! Who said my days were done?! When we return to PNG! You'll pay back the people’s money you owe me! Meanwhile back at the ranch, Peter O-Neil was in charge of the bench. With his crazy side kick Beldem Namah, they were a bit like dumb and dumber. Whilst the so called retired, grand old chief, returned home confused, in utter disbelief. We won't mention other words, he spoke to Arthur, but they didn't make him any smarter. I'm going to the courts! said the grand old chief, O-Neil’s not experienced to be a great t

And they all live corruptly ever after...

There once ruled a grand old chief, who ruled with a hand that was stiff. One day he fell quite sick, think becoz of being such a dick. He sought treatment the world over, where in Singapore he fell in a coma. His stupid ass dim witted son, announced his father's days of rule were now over and done. Now with that his father suddenly awoke, and when told of the news he nearly had a stroke. He called for his son and this is what he spoke. Arthur you pakin kan!! Who said my days were done?! When we return to PNG! You'll pay back the people’s money you owe me! Meanwhile back at the ranch, Peter O-Neil was in charge of the bench. With his crazy side kick Beldem Namah, they were a bit like dumb and dumber. Whilst the so called retired, grand old chief, returned home confused, in utter disbelief. We won't mention other words, he spoke to Arthur, but they didn't make him any smarter. I'm going to the courts! said the grand old c

O'Neill government's 'Gestapo' monitoring under fire

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The O’Neill government’s "monitoring" of emails, mobile phones and social media to identify sources of anti-government information in Papua New Guinea has come under fire. Ben Micah, a controversial former MP who now works as chief of staff to parliament-elected Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, released a statement last Wednesday warning the PNG army, police and spy agency National Intelligence Organisation (NIO) were monitoring attempts to destabilise the government using emails, phones and social media. However, the regime's Big Brother-like scrutiny has attracted the attention of global free press watchdog International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and media commentators, and triggered the ire of ordinary Papua New Guineans. Media commentators have described the O’Neill government’s crackdown as having “Gestapo-like” features, in reference to the German secret police which operated under Hitler’s Nazi regime, and asked whether the state apparatus will also

Former PNG minister raps Somare style

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Sir Michael Somare lost control of his government in part because he failed to communicate with his back bench, Papua New Guinea's former acting prime minister says. In his first public comments on the inner workings of the Somare government since it fell on August 2 last year following a backbench coup, Sam Abal says the former government concentrated too much power among its economic ministries. Mr Abal was Sir Michael's deputy and led his government between mid-March and August 2 while the 75-year-old veteran prime minister was in Singapore undergoing multiple heart operations. "We didn't give enough attention to the back benches," Mr Abal told AAP. "I saw that there was a lot of pressure building up over the past nine years (the Somare government was in office.) "When the opportunity came, the back benches went for it." That opportunity saw 70 of PNG's 109 MPs form a blo

Former PNG minister raps Somare style

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Sir Michael Somare lost control of his government in part because he failed to communicate with his back bench, Papua New Guinea's former acting prime minister says. In his first public comments on the inner workings of the Somare government since it fell on August 2 last year following a backbench coup, Sam Abal says the former government concentrated too much power among its economic ministries. Mr Abal was Sir Michael's deputy and led his government between mid-March and August 2 while the 75-year-old veteran prime minister was in Singapore undergoing multiple heart operations. "We didn't give enough attention to the back benches," Mr Abal told AAP. "I saw that there was a lot of pressure building up over the past nine years (the Somare government was in office.) "When the opportunity came, the back benches went for it." That opportunity saw 70 of PNG's 109 MPs

All New Forum from PNG Blogs

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When you have some time please check out PNGFORUM.ORG this is a an old Forum we have brought back up for those who have time to discuss issues. WWW.PNGFORUM.ORG

All New Forum from PNG Blogs

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When you have some time please check out PNGFORUM.ORG this is a an old Forum we have brought back up for those who have time to discuss issues. WWW.PNGFORUM.ORG

MPs exchange punches

A DISAGREEMENT in parliament yesterday ended with a brawl outside the debating chamber, leaving Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather nursing a bloody face, The National reports.  Housing Minister Fairweather and Middle Ramu MP Ben Semri, a former fisheries minister now sitting with deposed prime minister Sir Michael Somare’s group in the middle benches, had a heated exchange over the lack of services for the people. Both represent electorates in Madang province. It was sparked off when Fairweather interrupted Semri’s speech to parliament. Semri was speaking on issues involving Middle Ramu Block One, saying his people needed services when  Fairweather broke in to ask what he was going to deliver to the people in Middle Ramu. Semri made a rude hand gesture at Fairweather who responded by standing up and trying to remove his tie while calling Semri out for a fight before walking out of the chambers. An angry Semri then shocked parliament when he shouted out: “You white bastard.” Lae MP an

MPs exchange punches

A DISAGREEMENT in parliament yesterday ended with a brawl outside the debating chamber, leaving Sumkar MP Ken Fairweather nursing a bloody face, The National reports.  Housing Minister Fairweather and Middle Ramu MP Ben Semri, a former fisheries minister now sitting with deposed prime minister Sir Michael Somare’s group in the middle benches, had a heated exchange over the lack of services for the people. Both represent electorates in Madang province. It was sparked off when Fairweather interrupted Semri’s speech to parliament. Semri was speaking on issues involving Middle Ramu Block One, saying his people needed services when  Fairweather broke in to ask what he was going to deliver to the people in Middle Ramu. Semri made a rude hand gesture at Fairweather who responded by standing up and trying to remove his tie while calling Semri out for a fight before walking out of the chambers. An angry Semri then shocked parliament when he shouted out: “You white bastard.”

INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY & ACCOUNTABILITY OF JUDGES.

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In the past on this site I have written about the Independence of the Judiciary as being the cornerstone of our Judiciary, and hence our democracy. I have advocated against interference of politics in our Judiciary. Now, I feel that I need to counter-balance this with examining the question of  independence of the judiciary and personal responsibility and liability of Judges. Whilst the Judiciaries independence from political interference is guaranteed by the Constitution, practically it takes a lot of vigilance and care on the part of both the Judiciary and the Executive government to ensure that this Independence is maintained at all times. The manner in which the National Judicial System can be compromised or tainted or its independence unduly encumbered are far too numerous to mention in a brief article such as this. Even the making of a simple but serious allegation against the courts or individual judges, even if patently untrue, has a way of scarring the air and p

INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY & ACCOUNTABILITY OF JUDGES.

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In the past on this site I have written about the Independence of the Judiciary as being the cornerstone of our Judiciary, and hence our democracy. I have advocated against interference of politics in our Judiciary. Now, I feel that I need to counter-balance this with examining the question of  independence of the judiciary and personal responsibility and liability of Judges. Whilst the Judiciaries independence from political interference is guaranteed by the Constitution, practically it takes a lot of vigilance and care on the part of both the Judiciary and the Executive government to ensure that this Independence is maintained at all times. The manner in which the National Judicial System can be compromised or tainted or its independence unduly encumbered are far too numerous to mention in a brief article such as this. Even the making of a simple but serious allegation against the courts or individual judges, even if patently untrue, has a way of scarring the air and

PNG, Australia sign zero-tolerance agreement on aid funding

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Papua New Guinea and Australia have signed an agreement of zero tolerance to fraud in the multi-million dollar AusAID program. Australia's international aid agency, AusAID provides more than $AU480 million in aid each year to improve PNG's worst health and education outcomes. But the program's been plagued by fraud and corruption from both sides, affecting the delivery of services. PNG's National Planning Minister Sam Basil has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the zero tolerance initiative aims to address those concerns. "Some people have termed it corrupt, or even boomerang aid," he said. "So I think...we are now stepping into the right direction." Mr Basil is confident the new agreement will ensure corrupt officials from both governments are held responsible and prosecuted. "I know that it will build confidence of PNG citizens and the receipients of the aid money and expatriates of Austraia that we are doing something about corrup

PNG, Australia sign zero-tolerance agreement on aid funding

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Papua New Guinea and Australia have signed an agreement of zero tolerance to fraud in the multi-million dollar AusAID program. Australia's international aid agency, AusAID provides more than $AU480 million in aid each year to improve PNG's worst health and education outcomes. But the program's been plagued by fraud and corruption from both sides, affecting the delivery of services. PNG's National Planning Minister Sam Basil has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the zero tolerance initiative aims to address those concerns. "Some people have termed it corrupt, or even boomerang aid," he said. "So I think...we are now stepping into the right direction." Mr Basil is confident the new agreement will ensure corrupt officials from both governments are held responsible and prosecuted. "I know that it will build confidence of PNG citizens and the receipients of the aid money and expatriates of Austraia that we are doing something

Somare reconsiders retirement

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Sir Michael Somare has indicated he might stand for re-election in Papua New Guinea's June poll, although the 75-year-old says age is a factor to consider. Sir Michael, who was deposed last August after nine years as prime minister, is being urged to stand by his supporters. However insiders say the future remains uncertain, as the ongoing political dispute in PNG heads into another round of court battles. "People think they can get me out with their numbers," Sir Michael said on Thursday, referring to the 70-24 vote on the floor of parliament to dump him and form a government under Peter O'Neill. "I am having second thoughts. I want to prove to them that I will come back, not with a few numbers, with a big margin. "You know, age is another thing to consider." One Somare camp insider who asked not to be named said Sir Michael was being urged to stand again by loyalists. "But I don't think he'll do it," the source said. "He

Somare reconsiders retirement

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Sir Michael Somare has indicated he might stand for re-election in Papua New Guinea's June poll, although the 75-year-old says age is a factor to consider. Sir Michael, who was deposed last August after nine years as prime minister, is being urged to stand by his supporters. However insiders say the future remains uncertain, as the ongoing political dispute in PNG heads into another round of court battles. "People think they can get me out with their numbers," Sir Michael said on Thursday, referring to the 70-24 vote on the floor of parliament to dump him and form a government under Peter O'Neill. "I am having second thoughts. I want to prove to them that I will come back, not with a few numbers, with a big margin. "You know, age is another thing to consider." One Somare camp insider who asked not to be named said Sir Michael was being urged to stand again by loyalists. "But I don't think he'll do it," the source said.