PNGBLOGS

IT must be acknowledged that Justice Minister and Attorney-General Sir Arnold Amet is now a political animal and has vested political aspirations and interest to protect. However, it must not be forgotten that as minister, he is the chairman of Judicial and Legal Services Commission, the body that is responsible for the appointment of judges, magistrates and other constitutional office holders like the public prosecutor and public solicitor. While he is no longer the chief justice, there is still this connection that keeps the relationship alive in a fatherly position. He may be a political animal but he still holds the power and authority to protect the integrity of the courts and judges.  Sadly that is not the case anymore. For the attorney-general to come out and gun down the Supreme Court and judges last Friday without the benefit of appreciating the substance of the judgment in the Sir Michael Somare and Ombudsman Commission matter delivered the previous Friday and appraising hi

PUBLIC finance management procedures may have been breached involving K5.6 million in public funds that were deposited in May last year into the account of a private company owned by Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and three other people. However, Mr Abal said last night there was nothing sinister and there was no impropriety in the establishment of the company which was set up on behalf of three local councils that included Maramuni LLG and Wabag LLG. The company, Wabag District Rural Holdings Ltd, was established to bring in economic development for the area which he described as a “fighting district” which was in transition into a more peaceful area after his “Lusim gun, holim savol” (Throw away the Gun, Pick up a Shovel) campaign and needed a major catalyst to kick-start the economy. No investors were keen to go to Wabag and the government must put the money down to help the people, he said. He said if it was his private company, he would have used private lawyers to set it up and n

PUBLIC finance management procedures may have been breached involving K5.6 million in public funds that were deposited in May last year into the account of a private company owned by Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and three other people. However, Mr Abal said last night there was nothing sinister and there was no impropriety in the establishment of the company which was set up on behalf of three local councils that included Maramuni LLG and Wabag LLG. The company, Wabag District Rural Holdings Ltd, was established to bring in economic development for the area which he described as a “fighting district” which was in transition into a more peaceful area after his “Lusim gun, holim savol” (Throw away the Gun, Pick up a Shovel) campaign and needed a major catalyst to kick-start the economy. No investors were keen to go to Wabag and the government must put the money down to help the people, he said. He said if it was his private company, he would have used private lawyers to set it up a

David Fedele bikpela bagarap from David Fedele on Vimeo . Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth, with over 900 different languages and cultural groups. It occupies the Eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and is located less than 200 kilometres from the Northern tip of Australia. PNG is home to one of the richest rainforests in the world. Papua New Guinea today remains one of the few countries in the world that still allows the export of raw logs, and this is greatly exploited by Asian logging companies. The World Bank estimates that 70% of all logging in Papua New Guinea is illegal, although most unofficial sources put the rate even higher than that. The story of Bikpela Bagarap is told through the voice of regular villagers, without narration. It is a tale of exploitation and broken promises, where local people are treated as second-rate citizens in their own country by Malaysian logging companies and corrupt politicians. Customary la

David Fedele bikpela bagarap from David Fedele on Vimeo . Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most culturally diverse countries on Earth, with over 900 different languages and cultural groups. It occupies the Eastern half of the island of New Guinea, and is located less than 200 kilometres from the Northern tip of Australia. PNG is home to one of the richest rainforests in the world. Papua New Guinea today remains one of the few countries in the world that still allows the export of raw logs, and this is greatly exploited by Asian logging companies. The World Bank estimates that 70% of all logging in Papua New Guinea is illegal, although most unofficial sources put the rate even higher than that. The story of Bikpela Bagarap is told through the voice of regular villagers, without narration. It is a tale of exploitation and broken promises, where local people are treated as second-rate citizens in their own country by Malaysian logging companies and corrupt politicians. C

PNGBLOGS Leo Dion is a Policeman. He is no ordinary Policemen. He was trained and taught by some of the best and he was one of the best of this country at a time when the Police Force was a proper Police Force ( not to take anything away from our current constabulary but you know what I mean?). Well when that big Tolai nose of his smells something is not quite right, something is rotten, he is more likely right than wrong. On this ocassion he is 200 percent correct. However what he is correct about is sad. Sad because he has to now confront fellow Members of Parliament and hold them accountable, especially those from New Britian. We know the K125 Million deal was done not for the best interests of this country. The Management of Nasfund knew it was not a genuine investment. Yet they did it becasue some of them picked up something from the broking firms etc. The broking firm paid the commissions out in Australia. A certain ex Pollie from Madang was instrumental in the whole deal, and c

PNGBLOGS Leo Dion is a Policeman. He is no ordinary Policemen. He was trained and taught by some of the best and he was one of the best of this country at a time when the Police Force was a proper Police Force ( not to take anything away from our current constabulary but you know what I mean?). Well when that big Tolai nose of his smells something is not quite right, something is rotten, he is more likely right than wrong. On this ocassion he is 200 percent correct. However what he is correct about is sad. Sad because he has to now confront fellow Members of Parliament and hold them accountable, especially those from New Britian. We know the K125 Million deal was done not for the best interests of this country. The Management of Nasfund knew it was not a genuine investment. Yet they did it becasue some of them picked up something from the broking firms etc. The broking firm paid the commissions out in Australia. A certain ex Pollie from Madang was instrumental in the whole deal

THE ROAR Papua New Guinea is without doubt a rugby league heartland. The State of Origin would be the most popular annual sporting event in the country. For many men, their most prized possession is the NRL jersey of their favourite team. However, it seems as though, international rugby league has let Papua New Guinea down big time. Back in 1990, the Kummuls drew a Test series with Great Britain. These days, the Kummuls are the whipping boys whenever they play Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain. Why is this so? I believe, a valid comparison can be made with the likes of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa in rugby union. Back in 1991, Samoa, at their first World Cup, shook up the rugby world, by defeating Wales and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Back then, rugby union was not professional, and when it did turn professional, there were fears that the Pacific Island nations would fall behind. These fears are largely unfounded. At the last IRB World Cup, Fiji were one tackle away from defeati

THE ROAR Papua New Guinea is without doubt a rugby league heartland. The State of Origin would be the most popular annual sporting event in the country. For many men, their most prized possession is the NRL jersey of their favourite team. However, it seems as though, international rugby league has let Papua New Guinea down big time. Back in 1990, the Kummuls drew a Test series with Great Britain. These days, the Kummuls are the whipping boys whenever they play Australia, New Zealand or Great Britain. Why is this so? I believe, a valid comparison can be made with the likes of Tonga, Fiji and Samoa in rugby union. Back in 1991, Samoa, at their first World Cup, shook up the rugby world, by defeating Wales and qualifying for the quarter-finals. Back then, rugby union was not professional, and when it did turn professional, there were fears that the Pacific Island nations would fall behind. These fears are largely unfounded. At the last IRB World Cup, Fiji were one tackle away from

NATIONAL Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) chief executive officer Rod Mitchell yesterday confirmed the controversial K125 million so­vereign community infrastructure treasury bills (SCITB) have been parked with Nasfund. “Nasfund is holding onto 125 million treasury notes issued under the Treasury Bill Act (2002). The notes won’t be released until the state clears its side,” Mitchell said. He said that Nasfund had followed legal procedures but the state had not and must find a way correct that. He said this following media reports yesterday where Minister for Communication Patrick Tammur announced that the K125 million was with Nasfund. Mitchell argued that the information that came out in the media, including findings from the study conducted by National Research Institute which categorised the treasury bills as illegal, were incorrect. In its report released last month, the NRI said the deal was done without the approval of parliament as required by the PNG Constitution sections 13 and 1

NATIONAL Superannuation Fund (Nasfund) chief executive officer Rod Mitchell yesterday confirmed the controversial K125 million so­vereign community infrastructure treasury bills (SCITB) have been parked with Nasfund. “Nasfund is holding onto 125 million treasury notes issued under the Treasury Bill Act (2002). The notes won’t be released until the state clears its side,” Mitchell said. He said that Nasfund had followed legal procedures but the state had not and must find a way correct that. He said this following media reports yesterday where Minister for Communication Patrick Tammur announced that the K125 million was with Nasfund. Mitchell argued that the information that came out in the media, including findings from the study conducted by National Research Institute which categorised the treasury bills as illegal, were incorrect. In its report released last month, the NRI said the deal was done without the approval of parliament as required by the PNG Constitution sections 13 a

PNGBLOGS Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Namah has demanded that the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Inter-government Relations solve the problems at the Wutung Border Post once and for all. Mr. Namah was reacting to claims that 10 youths were locked up by security forces at the boom gate guard house and when they were released, they set fire and burnt down the guard house as well as the boom gate. They were allegedly locked up for consuming Indonesian-made spirits at the Trade Centre and returning rowdy. Access to the Skouw-Wututng Trade Centre remains closed indefinitely. “It was only a short while ago that former Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye said he was going to do something about the airspace incursion by Indonesian citizens. Nothing has come out of that statement. “I want this scandal-plagued government to know that the problems at Wutung-Skouw Border Post and Trade Centre are far from over, and nor are they likely to go away in the foreseeable future. These problems now nee

PNGBLOGS Opposition Leader Hon. Belden Namah has demanded that the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Inter-government Relations solve the problems at the Wutung Border Post once and for all. Mr. Namah was reacting to claims that 10 youths were locked up by security forces at the boom gate guard house and when they were released, they set fire and burnt down the guard house as well as the boom gate. They were allegedly locked up for consuming Indonesian-made spirits at the Trade Centre and returning rowdy. Access to the Skouw-Wututng Trade Centre remains closed indefinitely. “It was only a short while ago that former Foreign Affairs Minister Don Polye said he was going to do something about the airspace incursion by Indonesian citizens. Nothing has come out of that statement. “I want this scandal-plagued government to know that the problems at Wutung-Skouw Border Post and Trade Centre are far from over, and nor are they likely to go away in the foreseeable future. These problems no

Papua New Guineans woke up yesterday to read that Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal could no longer hold office as Acting Prime Minister because he was not a minister. Constitutional lawyer Nemo Yalo pointed out that Section 3 (3) of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act, was specific…the Deputy Prime Minister ceases to hold office if he ceases to be a Minister. We are told that the Prime Minister’s own staff were caught by surprise when we broke the story. Now we are told that Sam Abal is the Minister for Immigration. We are told that when he made the reshuffle recently, he gave away his Works portfolio and took over the Immigration portfolio but that was not announced. Are these people working for the chief executive of this country in their right frame of mind? What do they take the people of this country for? This is not the first time Papua New Guineans have seen the Office of the Prime Minister move into damage control mode to fix what appear to be serious blunders l

Papua New Guineans woke up yesterday to read that Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal could no longer hold office as Acting Prime Minister because he was not a minister. Constitutional lawyer Nemo Yalo pointed out that Section 3 (3) of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act, was specific…the Deputy Prime Minister ceases to hold office if he ceases to be a Minister. We are told that the Prime Minister’s own staff were caught by surprise when we broke the story. Now we are told that Sam Abal is the Minister for Immigration. We are told that when he made the reshuffle recently, he gave away his Works portfolio and took over the Immigration portfolio but that was not announced. Are these people working for the chief executive of this country in their right frame of mind? What do they take the people of this country for? This is not the first time Papua New Guineans have seen the Office of the Prime Minister move into damage control mode to fix what appear to be serious blunders

Sydney Morning Herald Editorial   IN RESOURCE-RICH developing nations the noted Oxford economist Paul Collier has observed a corrosive political culture of the ''survival of the fattest''. Democracy notwithstanding, Collier argues that a sudden rush of money into a poor economy so distorts the function of government that it is the local big men - not society as a whole - who reap the rewards. As Papua New Guinea experiences an extraordinary resource-led boom, Canberra will be hoping that Collier will be proved wrong. Particularly as it enters a new political era with the retirement last week of the ailing prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, PNG's enduring political chief. In his 43 unbroken years in Parliament, Somare was dubbed ''The Great Unifier'' for his ability to hold together fractious groups in a society dominated by local and tribal loyalties. And as PNG's founding father and first prime minister, Somare has personified the link between

Sydney Morning Herald Editorial   IN RESOURCE-RICH developing nations the noted Oxford economist Paul Collier has observed a corrosive political culture of the ''survival of the fattest''. Democracy notwithstanding, Collier argues that a sudden rush of money into a poor economy so distorts the function of government that it is the local big men - not society as a whole - who reap the rewards. As Papua New Guinea experiences an extraordinary resource-led boom, Canberra will be hoping that Collier will be proved wrong. Particularly as it enters a new political era with the retirement last week of the ailing prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, PNG's enduring political chief. In his 43 unbroken years in Parliament, Somare was dubbed ''The Great Unifier'' for his ability to hold together fractious groups in a society dominated by local and tribal loyalties. And as PNG's founding father and first prime minister, Somare has personified the link betw

RADIO AUSTRALIA NEWS Sir Michael Somare Credit: ABC Papua New Guinea's government will send a medical team to Singapore to assess the health of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his ability to continue as the country's leader. Sir Michael has been in intensive care in hospital since undergoing heart surgery in April. Earlier this week Sir Michael's son, Arthur Somare, said his father remained in intensive care and was "not in a good enough condition" to discuss retirement, so the family decided to announce his retirement on his behalf. In a statement, Mr Somare said complications from his father's heart surgery "further delayed the anticipated time in which Sir Michael was expected to recover and return to Papua New Guinea". "Therefore, on behalf of (his wife) Lady Veronica, I wish to announce that it is our family's collective desire that Sir Michael be allowed to recover at his own pace and therefore retire," he said.

RADIO AUSTRALIA NEWS Sir Michael Somare Credit: ABC Papua New Guinea's government will send a medical team to Singapore to assess the health of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his ability to continue as the country's leader. Sir Michael has been in intensive care in hospital since undergoing heart surgery in April. Earlier this week Sir Michael's son, Arthur Somare, said his father remained in intensive care and was "not in a good enough condition" to discuss retirement, so the family decided to announce his retirement on his behalf. In a statement, Mr Somare said complications from his father's heart surgery "further delayed the anticipated time in which Sir Michael was expected to recover and return to Papua New Guinea". "Therefore, on behalf of (his wife) Lady Veronica, I wish to announce that it is our family's collective desire that Sir Michael be allowed to recover at his own pace and therefore retire,&quo

Steve Lewis Rich contract ... rural sociologist Dr. Adiel Mbabu.   Source: The Daily Telegraph THEY'RE the Australian government officials you've never heard of - but most of them earn more than Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The combined salaries of a select group of AusAID-funded consultants - who offer advice to developing nations on everything from law and order to farming - totals millions of dollars a year. Kenyan man Adiel Mbabu, who advises Papua New Guinea on farming techniques, is the recipient of one of the richest individual foreign aid contracts, worth $1.089 million.Dr Mbabu's three-year deal - which will earn him just over $350,000 annually tax-free - was awarded after an "open international tender process", according to an AusAID spokeswoman. The Kenyan adviser provides "expert independent support" to the PNG National Agriculture and Livestock Department. He is just one consultant whose work in some of

Steve Lewis Rich contract ... rural sociologist Dr. Adiel Mbabu.   Source: The Daily Telegraph THEY'RE the Australian government officials you've never heard of - but most of them earn more than Prime Minister Julia Gillard. The combined salaries of a select group of AusAID-funded consultants - who offer advice to developing nations on everything from law and order to farming - totals millions of dollars a year. Kenyan man Adiel Mbabu, who advises Papua New Guinea on farming techniques, is the recipient of one of the richest individual foreign aid contracts, worth $1.089 million.Dr Mbabu's three-year deal - which will earn him just over $350,000 annually tax-free - was awarded after an "open international tender process", according to an AusAID spokeswoman. The Kenyan adviser provides "expert independent support" to the PNG National Agriculture and Livestock Department. He is just one consultant whose work in

SOUTH PACIFIC POST The Government was supposed to have appointed two medical doctors to report back within 28 days on the condition of the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare when he went into hospital for medical treatment and also heart surgery on April 21. This is the view of a very senior legal officer in the Solicitor Generals Office. Had that been done, there would not be any confusion today on the way forward in relation to whether or not the office of the PM is vacant and when constitutional provisions should be invoked to elect a new Prime Minister. “The proper and moral thing to do after the PM was admitted to the ICU, was to appoint two medical doctors to report within 28 days, pursuant to Section 6 of the Prime Minister and National Executive Council Act 2002, and after three months, they could then certify that the PM is medically unfit to return to office,” the lawyer said. “That is to comply with the law, instead of allowing the PM to continue to hold the substantive post