PNGBLOGS

UP TO 94,000 hectares of land belonging to the indigenous people of New Hanover was sold to a foreign company for $US 1.6 million (K3.47 million). Incredible isn’t it, but yes the inconceivable idea that the Post-Courier revealed earlier this year on March 4 under the headline ‘Island sold to foreigners’ was true. It is alleged to be a conspiracy to the sale, outside the knowledge of the landowners. While it was technically not the whole island, it is a sizeable chunk situated west of Kavieng town in the New Ireland Province. The thought that an alleged foreign-owned company made the deal with another foreign company allegedly without the consent of the landowners itself is yet another case of the “land grabbing” disease. Contrary to the laws of Papua New Guinea, the sale went ahead allegedly to defraud the state and the people of New Hanover. As per the Sale and Purchase Agreement that the Post-Courier has a copy of, there are remittance advice of payments made in three installments (

UP TO 94,000 hectares of land belonging to the indigenous people of New Hanover was sold to a foreign company for $US 1.6 million (K3.47 million). Incredible isn’t it, but yes the inconceivable idea that the Post-Courier revealed earlier this year on March 4 under the headline ‘Island sold to foreigners’ was true. It is alleged to be a conspiracy to the sale, outside the knowledge of the landowners. While it was technically not the whole island, it is a sizeable chunk situated west of Kavieng town in the New Ireland Province. The thought that an alleged foreign-owned company made the deal with another foreign company allegedly without the consent of the landowners itself is yet another case of the “land grabbing” disease. Contrary to the laws of Papua New Guinea, the sale went ahead allegedly to defraud the state and the people of New Hanover. As per the Sale and Purchase Agreement that the Post-Courier has a copy of, there are remittance advice of payments made in three insta

The update: the Court convened. The members of the Supreme Court bench were Sir Salamo Injia (CJ), Gibbs Salika (DCJ), Bernard Sakora (J), Nicholas Kirriwom (J) and; Les Gavara-Nanu (J). The Lawyers were John Griffin QC for Hon. Dr. Allan Marat MP (Attorney-General) and; Michael Mal Varitimos QC for Hon. Belden Namah MP (Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Forrest and Climate Change and Acting Prime Minister). Derek Woods from Blake Dawson Waldron was for the Registrar of the Supreme and ; National Court. All the NEC members were present except Don Polye MP and Minister for Finance and Treasury and Theo Zurenuoc MP, Minister for Higher Education. The CJ, in his opening remarks, thanked the alleged contempnors (Nama and Marat) for their attendance. After that, the CJ advised that the discussions will be centered around bail and the conditions of bail as the Own Recognition (OR) bail granted by police lapsed in the morning. Submissions were made in that bail amounts and conditions were p

The update: the Court convened. The members of the Supreme Court bench were Sir Salamo Injia (CJ), Gibbs Salika (DCJ), Bernard Sakora (J), Nicholas Kirriwom (J) and; Les Gavara-Nanu (J). The Lawyers were John Griffin QC for Hon. Dr. Allan Marat MP (Attorney-General) and; Michael Mal Varitimos QC for Hon. Belden Namah MP (Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Forrest and Climate Change and Acting Prime Minister). Derek Woods from Blake Dawson Waldron was for the Registrar of the Supreme and ; National Court. All the NEC members were present except Don Polye MP and Minister for Finance and Treasury and Theo Zurenuoc MP, Minister for Higher Education. The CJ, in his opening remarks, thanked the alleged contempnors (Nama and Marat) for their attendance. After that, the CJ advised that the discussions will be centered around bail and the conditions of bail as the Own Recognition (OR) bail granted by police lapsed in the morning. Submissions were made in that bail amounts and conditions we

A full five-men Supreme Court bench has sternly instructed that Acting Prime Minister Belden Namah and Attorney General Doctor Allan Marat to appear before it tomorrow, before it can continue to hear an urgent application by the lawyers seeking to set-aside last week's orders of the court against them. Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, delivered the warning on behalf of the bench, after almost ordering the detention of lawyers representing the two leaders. The directions of the High Court, follows an eventful day today in Port Moresby, starting with the arrest of Mr. Namah and Doctor Marat. There was hype in the capital city today, after Acting Prime Minister Belden Namah and Justice Minister and Attorney General Doctor Allan Marat, turned themselves in, to be arrested by police. The two leaders had surrendered at the Police Headquarters at Konedobu, at half-past-ten this morning, where they were arrested. Under a heavy guard, and a train of police escort the two leaders were brought

A full five-men Supreme Court bench has sternly instructed that Acting Prime Minister Belden Namah and Attorney General Doctor Allan Marat to appear before it tomorrow, before it can continue to hear an urgent application by the lawyers seeking to set-aside last week's orders of the court against them. Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, delivered the warning on behalf of the bench, after almost ordering the detention of lawyers representing the two leaders. The directions of the High Court, follows an eventful day today in Port Moresby, starting with the arrest of Mr. Namah and Doctor Marat. There was hype in the capital city today, after Acting Prime Minister Belden Namah and Justice Minister and Attorney General Doctor Allan Marat, turned themselves in, to be arrested by police. The two leaders had surrendered at the Police Headquarters at Konedobu, at half-past-ten this morning, where they were arrested. Under a heavy guard, and a train of police escort the two leaders we

By Chang Jae-soon HONOLULU, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held a summit with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Saturday, pledging to bolster energy and resources cooperation combining Korean technologies and the South Pacific nation's rich resources. The meeting took place in Hawaii on the sidelines of this year's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum aimed at discussing ways to spur the global economy, create jobs, reform regulations and improve energy efficiency and security. During the meeting with O'Neill, Lee asked for support for South Korean firms operating in Papua New Guinea, noting that trade between the two countries has been on a steady rise since they established diplomatic relations in 1976, the presidential office said in a statement. O'Neill said that South Korean firms' participation in major infrastructure construction, such as roads, dams and power plants, has contributed to th

By Chang Jae-soon HONOLULU, Nov. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Lee Myung-bak held a summit with Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill on Saturday, pledging to bolster energy and resources cooperation combining Korean technologies and the South Pacific nation's rich resources. The meeting took place in Hawaii on the sidelines of this year's summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum aimed at discussing ways to spur the global economy, create jobs, reform regulations and improve energy efficiency and security. During the meeting with O'Neill, Lee asked for support for South Korean firms operating in Papua New Guinea, noting that trade between the two countries has been on a steady rise since they established diplomatic relations in 1976, the presidential office said in a statement. O'Neill said that South Korean firms' participation in major infrastructure construction, such as roads, dams and power plants, has contribut

Two senior government ministers in Papua New Guinea are expected to hand themselves into police after warrants were issued for their arrest last Friday. The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of deputy prime minister Belden Namah and attorney-general Allan Marat on contempt charges. That followed the government's suspension of the chief justice for what it said are serious allegations of misconduct. A government source says the ministers will present themselves to police headquarters in Port Moresby this morning. A police spokesman also says police are expecting their arrival. While the court ordered the ministers be held until December 12, the ABC understands they will be seeking to be released on bail. The Supreme Court also placed a stay on the chief justice's suspension. ABC

Two senior government ministers in Papua New Guinea are expected to hand themselves into police after warrants were issued for their arrest last Friday. The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of deputy prime minister Belden Namah and attorney-general Allan Marat on contempt charges. That followed the government's suspension of the chief justice for what it said are serious allegations of misconduct. A government source says the ministers will present themselves to police headquarters in Port Moresby this morning. A police spokesman also says police are expecting their arrival. While the court ordered the ministers be held until December 12, the ABC understands they will be seeking to be released on bail. The Supreme Court also placed a stay on the chief justice's suspension. ABC

PAPUA New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says a Supreme Court arrest warrant for his deputy prime minister and attorney-general has set a "dangerous precedent". It's his first public statement since the potential executive-judicial crisis erupted on Thursday. But he denies the incident that started the affair - the suspension of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on Thursday - has anything to do with his impending verdict in an ongoing constitutional battle over the legitimacy of the O'Neill government. "(It is) the executive government's collective right to make national interest decisions - including decisions relating to members of the judiciary collectively or individually," Mr O'Neill said in a statement from Honolulu, where he is attending the APEC summit. "The National Executive Council (NEC) should not be usurped by the threat of warrants of arrest for members of the NEC." Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah announced the

PAPUA New Guinea's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says a Supreme Court arrest warrant for his deputy prime minister and attorney-general has set a "dangerous precedent". It's his first public statement since the potential executive-judicial crisis erupted on Thursday. But he denies the incident that started the affair - the suspension of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on Thursday - has anything to do with his impending verdict in an ongoing constitutional battle over the legitimacy of the O'Neill government. "(It is) the executive government's collective right to make national interest decisions - including decisions relating to members of the judiciary collectively or individually," Mr O'Neill said in a statement from Honolulu, where he is attending the APEC summit. "The National Executive Council (NEC) should not be usurped by the threat of warrants of arrest for members of the NEC." Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah annou

NAMAH: No one is above the law The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea should bury his head in shame and consider himself a total disgrace before heads of Government of countries in attendance for the APEC summit in Hawaii. He should perhaps be also met with some of the toughest of rebukes from advocacy groups in Hawaii for his anti- constitutional democracy antics. He attends a summit which is attended by prominent leaders of the world who hold an high regard for constitutional democracy and the independence of their judiciary systems in their Countries. Peter O Neil’s recently concocted move, engineered to be announced by his deputy after his exit from the Country to attend this high powered meeting, must be condemned in the strongest possible term and squarely pinned on his hands. He should be shameful of his actions and consider himself a misfit amongst all the level-headed leaders of the World in attendance of the Summit. Perhaps Australia’s Julia Gillard should re-echo her famous

NAMAH: No one is above the law The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea should bury his head in shame and consider himself a total disgrace before heads of Government of countries in attendance for the APEC summit in Hawaii. He should perhaps be also met with some of the toughest of rebukes from advocacy groups in Hawaii for his anti- constitutional democracy antics. He attends a summit which is attended by prominent leaders of the world who hold an high regard for constitutional democracy and the independence of their judiciary systems in their Countries. Peter O Neil’s recently concocted move, engineered to be announced by his deputy after his exit from the Country to attend this high powered meeting, must be condemned in the strongest possible term and squarely pinned on his hands. He should be shameful of his actions and consider himself a misfit amongst all the level-headed leaders of the World in attendance of the Summit. Perhaps Australia’s Julia Gillard should re-echo her

WARRANTS OF ARREST ISSUED FOR Deputy PM AND Attorney General by Supreme Courts   A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of acting prime minister Belden Namah and attorney-general Allan Marat for contempt of court. Yesterday the PNG government took the drastic step of suspending Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia. Acting prime minister Namah said “overwhelming allegations” had been made against Sir Salamo, forcing the government to act. The suspension came at a sensitive time when the full bench of the Supreme Court is considering a challenge to the government's legitimacy after the 2 August election of Peter O’Neill as prime minister, which is being challenged in the court.   -Supreme Court Ruling Papua New Guinea IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE AT WAIGANI SC REF NO.3 OF 2011 BETWEEN: REFERENCE PURSUANT TO CONSTITUTION SECTION 19 AND: REFERENCE BY THE EAST SEPIK PROVINCAL EXECUTIVE -Referrer- AND: HON. DR ALLAN MARAT, MP as the Minister for Justice and Attorney Genera

WARRANTS OF ARREST ISSUED FOR Deputy PM AND Attorney General by Supreme Courts   A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of acting prime minister Belden Namah and attorney-general Allan Marat for contempt of court. Yesterday the PNG government took the drastic step of suspending Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia. Acting prime minister Namah said “overwhelming allegations” had been made against Sir Salamo, forcing the government to act. The suspension came at a sensitive time when the full bench of the Supreme Court is considering a challenge to the government's legitimacy after the 2 August election of Peter O’Neill as prime minister, which is being challenged in the court.   -Supreme Court Ruling Papua New Guinea IN THE SUPREME COURT OF JUSTICE AT WAIGANI SC REF NO.3 OF 2011 BETWEEN: REFERENCE PURSUANT TO CONSTITUTION SECTION 19 AND: REFERENCE BY THE EAST SEPIK PROVINCAL EXECUTIVE -Referrer- AND: HON. DR ALLAN MARAT, MP as the Minister for Justice and Attorne

suspended.. The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government has suspended Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia in a new twist to the legal saga over the constitutionality of the O’Neill government. Sir Salamo was until the announcement of his suspension the chair of the Supreme Court proceedings into the legality of the August 2 election of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government. The decision on the Supreme Court reference, which was filed by the East Sepik provincial executive, was scheduled to be handed down on December 9 . It is not known if cabinet’s decision to suspend the chief justice will have an impact on the proceedings. PNG deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah announced Sir Injia’s sidelining in the absence of Mr O’Neill who flew to Hawaii this morning to attend the APEC summit. Sir Salamo’s removal comes on the back of denials by Mr O’Neill last week that cabinet was considering removing the chief justice, after former chief justice-turn-politician Sir Arnold Amet warned tha

suspended.. The Papua New Guinea (PNG) government has suspended Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia in a new twist to the legal saga over the constitutionality of the O’Neill government. Sir Salamo was until the announcement of his suspension the chair of the Supreme Court proceedings into the legality of the August 2 election of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his government. The decision on the Supreme Court reference, which was filed by the East Sepik provincial executive, was scheduled to be handed down on December 9 . It is not known if cabinet’s decision to suspend the chief justice will have an impact on the proceedings. PNG deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah announced Sir Injia’s sidelining in the absence of Mr O’Neill who flew to Hawaii this morning to attend the APEC summit. Sir Salamo’s removal comes on the back of denials by Mr O’Neill last week that cabinet was considering removing the chief justice, after former chief justice-turn-politician Sir Arnold Amet

THE evidence now being presented to the Commission of Inquiry into the so-called Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) tell the story of a national shame of gigantic proportions. It is absolutely disgusting and no words can adequately describe the pain that small landowners feel about their land going into the hands of foreign corporations. Former prime minister and now New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said it well when he described it as nothing less than a conspiracy between the national Department of Lands international corporations to grab land from unsuspecting little landowners from the rural areas. This is probably the worst of any government policy on agriculture development ever formulated by the government since self — government and the extent of its effects on the local landowners will only be known when the inquiry presents its report to the government. We hope the report will be tabled in Parliament and be made public for the people of Papua New Guinea to know th

THE evidence now being presented to the Commission of Inquiry into the so-called Special Agriculture Business Leases (SABL) tell the story of a national shame of gigantic proportions. It is absolutely disgusting and no words can adequately describe the pain that small landowners feel about their land going into the hands of foreign corporations. Former prime minister and now New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said it well when he described it as nothing less than a conspiracy between the national Department of Lands international corporations to grab land from unsuspecting little landowners from the rural areas. This is probably the worst of any government policy on agriculture development ever formulated by the government since self — government and the extent of its effects on the local landowners will only be known when the inquiry presents its report to the government. We hope the report will be tabled in Parliament and be made public for the people of Papua New Guinea to