PNGBLOGS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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.

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE has been asked to help conduct arrests, following an investigation into the misuse of public funds in East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government-appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team were prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. Some residents and political supporters have converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. They claim it was politically motivated when their MP Sir Michael was ousted, and the matter is before the courts again. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah, has called them acts of terrorism. “I condemn the actions of holding up of the national airlines service to Wew

THE PAPUA NEW GUINEA DEFENCE FORCE has been asked to help conduct arrests, following an investigation into the misuse of public funds in East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government-appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team were prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu. Some residents and political supporters have converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. They claim it was politically motivated when their MP Sir Michael was ousted, and the matter is before the courts again. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah, has called them acts of terrorism. “I condemn the actions of holding up of the national airlines service to W

By John F.M. Kocsis, Harvard Political Review In one of the coming decades’ most important developments, tensions between the United States and China have begun to escalate on a whole host of new fronts. Prospects for the presidency have soared to new heights of monetary nationalism, the Obama administration has announced plans to station 2,500 marines in the Pacific, and Chinese diplomats have turned up the heat on American allies in the South China Sea. As in all great rivalries, China and America both have proxies whom they support, provided the junior partners act in their interest.  One such proxy nation is Papua New Guinea, the resource-rich Pacific nation whose domestic political instability has made it a surprising focus of American and Chinese geopolitical maneuvering. Of potential flashpoints for conflict in the Pacific arena, Papua New Guinea is generally less studied than its regional counterparts, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.  New Guinean history is

By John F.M. Kocsis, Harvard Political Review In one of the coming decades’ most important developments, tensions between the United States and China have begun to escalate on a whole host of new fronts. Prospects for the presidency have soared to new heights of monetary nationalism, the Obama administration has announced plans to station 2,500 marines in the Pacific, and Chinese diplomats have turned up the heat on American allies in the South China Sea. As in all great rivalries, China and America both have proxies whom they support, provided the junior partners act in their interest.  One such proxy nation is Papua New Guinea, the resource-rich Pacific nation whose domestic political instability has made it a surprising focus of American and Chinese geopolitical maneuvering. Of potential flashpoints for conflict in the Pacific arena, Papua New Guinea is generally less studied than its regional counterparts, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.  New Guinean histor

Papua New Guinea's Defence Force has been placed on alert to help arrest people who tried to prevent investigations into alleged misuse of public funds in PNG's East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team was prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu.  Some residents and political supporters converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has condemned the actions and called them as acts of terrorism. "This is an act of criminals," he said. He says soldiers with the Moem Baracks in Wewak will be called in to arrest those people who

Papua New Guinea's Defence Force has been placed on alert to help arrest people who tried to prevent investigations into alleged misuse of public funds in PNG's East Sepik province. A plane carrying investigators with a government appointed Investigation Task Force Sweep Team was prevented from disembarking and told to return to Port Moresby on Wednesday. They were sent to investigate allegations of misuse of public funds under the court-reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and the East Sepik provincial governments, and East Sepik Governor, Peter Wararu.  Some residents and political supporters converged at the Wewak airport and told the Air Niugini management to return the investigators and police back to Port Moresby. PNG's Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has condemned the actions and called them as acts of terrorism. "This is an act of criminals," he said. He says soldiers with the Moem Baracks in Wewak will be called in to arrest those p

A fast growing mining town, a steady influx of people and an increasing crime rate is putting a significant strain on police resources in the seaside town of Madang, Papua New New Guinea. Madang used to have a police strength of over 200 men and women. Since the Kusbau barracks was condemned in 1998, staff strength has been drastically cut to 96. But that's not all. The Provincial Police Commander, Tony Wagambie, points out that not only are his men and women struggling with limited resources, the workload and poor housing is putting an enormous strain on their families.

A fast growing mining town, a steady influx of people and an increasing crime rate is putting a significant strain on police resources in the seaside town of Madang, Papua New New Guinea. Madang used to have a police strength of over 200 men and women. Since the Kusbau barracks was condemned in 1998, staff strength has been drastically cut to 96. But that's not all. The Provincial Police Commander, Tony Wagambie, points out that not only are his men and women struggling with limited resources, the workload and poor housing is putting an enormous strain on their families.