PNGBLOGS

EPHATA SAMUEL As the tumultuous turn of events in the past weeks have led from one crisis to another, Post Courier's memory lane expert Ephata Samuel takes us back in time to another event 19 years ago that plunged the country into a similar period of constitutional uncertainty. Barely a week after Papua New Guinea hosted one of the most successful South Pacific Games ever and won the medal tally for the first time, Papua New Guinea was thrown into its biggest constitutional crisis in history. On Friday September 27, 1991, six days after the close of the 9th South Pacific Games, the Head of State and Governor General Sir Serei Eri defied a Leadership Tribunal recommendation that he dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Ted Diro from office. Instead, in a highly controversial decision, the Governor General (late) Sir Serei Eri reinstated Mr Diro to the position from which he was suspended in April of that year. Then Prime Minister (now Sir) Rabbie Namaliu issued a stern warning to the Gover

EPHATA SAMUEL As the tumultuous turn of events in the past weeks have led from one crisis to another, Post Courier's memory lane expert Ephata Samuel takes us back in time to another event 19 years ago that plunged the country into a similar period of constitutional uncertainty. Barely a week after Papua New Guinea hosted one of the most successful South Pacific Games ever and won the medal tally for the first time, Papua New Guinea was thrown into its biggest constitutional crisis in history. On Friday September 27, 1991, six days after the close of the 9th South Pacific Games, the Head of State and Governor General Sir Serei Eri defied a Leadership Tribunal recommendation that he dismiss Deputy Prime Minister Ted Diro from office. Instead, in a highly controversial decision, the Governor General (late) Sir Serei Eri reinstated Mr Diro to the position from which he was suspended in April of that year. Then Prime Minister (now Sir) Rabbie Namaliu issued a stern warning to th

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Papua New Guinea's acting prime minister could not say when parliament will reconvene to elect a new governor-general, despite the Supreme Court ordering it done by January 20. PNG's government lawyers are reviewing the controversial ruling, said Sam Abal, now acting prime minister after Michael Somare stood aside on Monday amid two weeks of political turmoil. In his first press conference as acting PM, Mr Abal told reporters on Tuesday that the newly appointed cabinet had met and the government remains intact. "Our legal eagles are checking to see whether the court has the mandate to recall parliament," he said. "We are seeking legal advice as there are some legal issues that need to be closely looked at." Mr Abal said he could not speculate how long he would be in the top job and accused state institutions of being "vindictive" in pursuing charges against the PM. Doubt remains over the legal status of ministers and other

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD Papua New Guinea's acting prime minister could not say when parliament will reconvene to elect a new governor-general, despite the Supreme Court ordering it done by January 20. PNG's government lawyers are reviewing the controversial ruling, said Sam Abal, now acting prime minister after Michael Somare stood aside on Monday amid two weeks of political turmoil. In his first press conference as acting PM, Mr Abal told reporters on Tuesday that the newly appointed cabinet had met and the government remains intact. "Our legal eagles are checking to see whether the court has the mandate to recall parliament," he said. "We are seeking legal advice as there are some legal issues that need to be closely looked at." Mr Abal said he could not speculate how long he would be in the top job and accused state institutions of being "vindictive" in pursuing charges against the PM. Doubt remains over the legal status of ministers a

The Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has announced he will step aside as the country's leader so he can face a leadership tribunal regarding alleged misconduct in office. Sir Michael issued a media release late yesterday outlining his plan to ''voluntarily step aside'' after his lawyers earlier in the day failed to stop the public prosecutor advising the country's Chief Justice to set up a leadership tribunal. A newly appointed deputy prime minister, Sam Abal, will assume full function and responsibility of the office of the prime minister while Sir Michael attends to clearing his name, the media release said. ''While the supreme court has yet to give the PM an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral. The PM respects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to hearings.'' Sir Michael referred to yesterday's court debacle as a '

The Sydney Morning Herald Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Michael Somare, has announced he will step aside as the country's leader so he can face a leadership tribunal regarding alleged misconduct in office. Sir Michael issued a media release late yesterday outlining his plan to ''voluntarily step aside'' after his lawyers earlier in the day failed to stop the public prosecutor advising the country's Chief Justice to set up a leadership tribunal. A newly appointed deputy prime minister, Sam Abal, will assume full function and responsibility of the office of the prime minister while Sir Michael attends to clearing his name, the media release said. ''While the supreme court has yet to give the PM an opportunity to be heard on his reference, the public prosecutor has proceeded to make a referral. The PM respects the due processes and will continue to avail himself to hearings.'' Sir Michael referred to yesterday's court debacle as a

PAUL REINBARA We know now partly on what transpired on the floor of the last session when Parliament rose to appoint Paulias Matane, it is ironic to think that 8 years in one position as the Speaker of the House would at least instil some experience in the running of the Parliament but our Speaker Jeffrey Nape is somewhat a total villager and is not even capable in seeking advice before making a ruling. Speaker Jeffrey Nape had the Parliament Clerk Mr. Don Pandan a very experienced public officer who in the past has worked under the likes of now Rigo MP Mr. Ano Pala and former Chief Ombudsman Mr. Simon Pentanu.  He has heaps of lawyers working in Parliament under him to which he can seek advice given the limited knowledge he has in running the affairs of Parliament.  Yet he chose not to and allowed to be bullied around by the government and allowed for the “nomination” of Sir Paulias to be declared the winner without having a secret ballot. What carnage and what a blow to the Parliame

PAUL REINBARA We know now partly on what transpired on the floor of the last session when Parliament rose to appoint Paulias Matane, it is ironic to think that 8 years in one position as the Speaker of the House would at least instil some experience in the running of the Parliament but our Speaker Jeffrey Nape is somewhat a total villager and is not even capable in seeking advice before making a ruling. Speaker Jeffrey Nape had the Parliament Clerk Mr. Don Pandan a very experienced public officer who in the past has worked under the likes of now Rigo MP Mr. Ano Pala and former Chief Ombudsman Mr. Simon Pentanu.  He has heaps of lawyers working in Parliament under him to which he can seek advice given the limited knowledge he has in running the affairs of Parliament.  Yet he chose not to and allowed to be bullied around by the government and allowed for the “nomination” of Sir Paulias to be declared the winner without having a secret ballot. What carnage and what a blow to the Parl

National Reports Sir J wants Somare to step down as PM Former prime minister and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan has called on Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to step down and allow the law to take its course. He said over the weekend that Sir Michael, as a founding father of the nation and a prominent Melanesian leader, must gracefully allow and uphold the integrity of the judiciary to deliberate without fear and allow the due processes of law to run its course. Sir Julius said he was encouraged by Sir Michael’s willingness to allow due process of law to deliberate. “He will have the opportunity to legally defend and prove his innocence and clear his name before the people and the nation, rather than contest and circumvent the normal system under the Leadership Code law, which in itself implies his possible guilt. “Many peers, including former governor-general Vincent Eri, myself, deputy PM, ministers and MPs have gone through and accepted the outcomes of leadership tribunals.”