PNGBLOGS

A task force set up to investigate corruption in Papua New Guinea says unscrupulous 'mobsters,' including members of parliament, are undermining the South Pacific country's development. Investigators arrested 35 people including several current and former members of parliament and other public servants. The anti-graft unit was established by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to investigate allegations of corruption in key government departments, such as the Department of Health and the influential Department of National Planning and Monitoring. Former Prime Minister Michael Somare accused the task force of carrying out a "witch hunt."  However, Sam Koim, chairman of the anti-graft unit known as Task Force Sweep, said corrupt officials had turned the South Pacific country's constitutional democracy into a "Mobocracy." "Generally [in] our investigations we have discovered a frightening trend of corruption in this country," said

A task force set up to investigate corruption in Papua New Guinea says unscrupulous 'mobsters,' including members of parliament, are undermining the South Pacific country's development. Investigators arrested 35 people including several current and former members of parliament and other public servants. The anti-graft unit was established by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to investigate allegations of corruption in key government departments, such as the Department of Health and the influential Department of National Planning and Monitoring. Former Prime Minister Michael Somare accused the task force of carrying out a "witch hunt."  However, Sam Koim, chairman of the anti-graft unit known as Task Force Sweep, said corrupt officials had turned the South Pacific country's constitutional democracy into a "Mobocracy." "Generally [in] our investigations we have discovered a frightening trend of corruption in this country,"

WITH a little over a month to go before the general election, a spate of reports in the media regarding the conduct of security and police personnel is a cause for concern. From police officers assaulting their own to the beating and injuring of innocent civilians, our so-called disciplined forces are anything but a picture of proper conduct. But they will need to be if they are to win the public’s trust and confidence over the coming weeks. Still, we see the very people who are trained to serve, protect and defend us are prone to violence when it would be better for the law to take its course. The latest incident occurred at the 5-Mile settlement in Port Moresby last Sunday morning. A group of PNG Defence Force soldiers from Taurama Barracks arrived unannounced and set about assaulting residents and damaging property. Shell-shocked families said afterwards that the act was apparently in retaliation to an incident the previous Saturday where a soldier from the aforementione

WITH a little over a month to go before the general election, a spate of reports in the media regarding the conduct of security and police personnel is a cause for concern. From police officers assaulting their own to the beating and injuring of innocent civilians, our so-called disciplined forces are anything but a picture of proper conduct. But they will need to be if they are to win the public’s trust and confidence over the coming weeks. Still, we see the very people who are trained to serve, protect and defend us are prone to violence when it would be better for the law to take its course. The latest incident occurred at the 5-Mile settlement in Port Moresby last Sunday morning. A group of PNG Defence Force soldiers from Taurama Barracks arrived unannounced and set about assaulting residents and damaging property. Shell-shocked families said afterwards that the act was apparently in retaliation to an incident the previous Saturday where a soldier from the aforeme

Parliament in 2002 under Sir Mekere Government amended the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government. Among the amendments, the Provincial Seats were made to cease existence by 2012 whilst the Open seats were anticipated to be more than 110 and less than 120 by year 2012. The Provincial Governors protested over the issue and their term was retained by an appropriate amendment in Parliament. It was anticipated that the Boundaries Commission would carry out the necessary inquiry and ensure that at least one electorate was added to each Province by or before 2012. It is understood the Boundaries Commission did carryout the inquiries and compiled the report. Unfortunately, the Government under the leadership of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare refused or failed to accept, table and implement the Boundaries Commission Report. The O’Neill/Namah Government was left with no option but to do the necessary changes to revert to the original position. Whilst the O’Neill/Namah Team was in ha

Parliament in 2002 under Sir Mekere Government amended the Organic Law on National and Local Level Government. Among the amendments, the Provincial Seats were made to cease existence by 2012 whilst the Open seats were anticipated to be more than 110 and less than 120 by year 2012. The Provincial Governors protested over the issue and their term was retained by an appropriate amendment in Parliament. It was anticipated that the Boundaries Commission would carry out the necessary inquiry and ensure that at least one electorate was added to each Province by or before 2012. It is understood the Boundaries Commission did carryout the inquiries and compiled the report. Unfortunately, the Government under the leadership of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare refused or failed to accept, table and implement the Boundaries Commission Report. The O’Neill/Namah Government was left with no option but to do the necessary changes to revert to the original position. Whilst the O’Neill/Namah Team was

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has rejected claims by the United Nations his government threatens the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. In a statement directed at UN Human Rights High Commissioner Navi Pillay, Mr O'Neill said PNG was now secure from political instability. Ms Pillay issued a warning from Geneva two weeks ago against laws passed by the O'Neill government since it took power on August 2, including the recently implemented Judicial Conduct Act, which gives parliament the power to suspend judges. Mr O'Neill said he had directed an inter-departmental committee to formally assess the allegations to "ensure the UN Special Rapporteur is provided a brief to assist her [to] understand the PNG political context in which the actions of my government are taken", he said. He said the inter-departmental committee will provide the government's response on any breaches or interferences that may have occurred against the UN

Most diplomats shy away from media attention, not so Mr Brian Yombon-Copio, the PNG High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, who, with a highly partisan political diatribe in Friday's Solomon Star has waded in 'boots an' all" in defence of the current controversial PNG political regime. Seemingly ill-equipped to avoid controversy, notwithstanding his "extensive research" and "studies in International Relations," he raised many an eyebrow in Port Vila last year, where he formally presented not one wife but two. Mr Brian Yombon-Copio states on his facebook (social media) page: "I enjoy life in eating, sleeping and reproducing."   Quite! It is in the social media pages, in particular PNGs influential facebook site 'Sharp Talk', that Mr Yombon-Copio's controversial outburst has been roundly condemned.   "Is this diplomat living on another planet?" asked one commenter. "The size of his ego is larger tha

Papua New Guinea's former prime minister Sir Michael Somare is not standing for re-election at the June poll. However, the 76-year-old will campaign on behalf of his National Alliance (NA) party. "He is not contesting the election," his spokeswoman and daughter Betha Somare told AAP on Monday. "He is just taking his party to the election. He is going to campaign for his people. "He is going to support his candidates throughout the country." On Saturday AAP reported Ms Somare as saying Sir Michael would contest the election for the East Sepik electorate, and would stand down mid-term. Ms Somare said she misheard AAP's query during an NA campaign fundraiser to clarify Sir Michael's reference to campaigning in his keynote speech. There had been intense speculation leading up to the event that he would step down. Sir Michael cited his government's record of economic growth, saying it was a reason the 79 National Alliance candidates should be electe

Papua New Guinea's former prime minister Sir Michael Somare is not standing for re-election at the June poll. However, the 76-year-old will campaign on behalf of his National Alliance (NA) party. "He is not contesting the election," his spokeswoman and daughter Betha Somare told AAP on Monday. "He is just taking his party to the election. He is going to campaign for his people. "He is going to support his candidates throughout the country." On Saturday AAP reported Ms Somare as saying Sir Michael would contest the election for the East Sepik electorate, and would stand down mid-term. Ms Somare said she misheard AAP's query during an NA campaign fundraiser to clarify Sir Michael's reference to campaigning in his keynote speech. There had been intense speculation leading up to the event that he would step down. Sir Michael cited his government's record of economic growth, saying it was a reason the 79 National Alliance candidates should be electe

Papua New Guinea's government corruption watchdog has drawn up an arrest warrant for the Speaker of Parliament amid allegations over missing development funds. But Taskforce Sweep chairman, Sam Koim, says Speaker Jeffery Nape has yet to be served with the arrest warrant as investigations continue into Nape's alleged misappropriation of 5 million kina ($A2.4 million) in funds. Mr Koim told AAP the arrest warrant was prepared on January 25 after investigators had trouble getting access to documentation that they say is relevant to the case. But, he says, the team has yet to decide whether to use it. "Let me put it this way, the arrest warrant was obtained on the advice that we will search him as well as arrest him on the spot if the documents are found with him. "We have not approached him yet. "The case is still ongoing." Nape has earned a place in history as PNG's most powerful Spe

Papua New Guinea's government corruption watchdog has drawn up an arrest warrant for the Speaker of Parliament amid allegations over missing development funds. But Taskforce Sweep chairman, Sam Koim, says Speaker Jeffery Nape has yet to be served with the arrest warrant as investigations continue into Nape's alleged misappropriation of 5 million kina ($A2.4 million) in funds. Mr Koim told AAP the arrest warrant was prepared on January 25 after investigators had trouble getting access to documentation that they say is relevant to the case. But, he says, the team has yet to decide whether to use it. "Let me put it this way, the arrest warrant was obtained on the advice that we will search him as well as arrest him on the spot if the documents are found with him. "We have not approached him yet. "The case is still ongoing." Nape has earned a place in history as PNG's most

Two private schools and other primary schools in Port Moresby, Kopkop College, Marianville High School (Bomana) and Evadahana Community school at 9 mile have been forcing children (girls) as young as 10 to be forcefully immunized with Gardasil against their wishes and without  consent from the parents, be very concerned the next time you are told by your child that they need to be immunized for the purpose of protecting them in the long run against disease such as breast cancer.  Today my daughter called me from her school and was anxious. She mentioned that the school was going to immunize all young women with or without the parents' consent. I was shocked as a parent who wanted more information on this drug. I told my daughter to tell her school if she is forced to be injected by this vaccine against our wishes, then I will sue. The whole idea that 12-year-old children can give "consent" to being injected with HPV vaccines is a total violation of common sense and yet

Two private schools and other primary schools in Port Moresby, Kopkop College, Marianville High School (Bomana) and Evadahana Community school at 9 mile have been forcing children (girls) as young as 10 to be forcefully immunized with Gardasil against their wishes and without  consent from the parents, be very concerned the next time you are told by your child that they need to be immunized for the purpose of protecting them in the long run against disease such as breast cancer.  Today my daughter called me from her school and was anxious. She mentioned that the school was going to immunize all young women with or without the parents' consent. I was shocked as a parent who wanted more information on this drug. I told my daughter to tell her school if she is forced to be injected by this vaccine against our wishes, then I will sue. The whole idea that 12-year-old children can give "consent" to being injected with HPV vaccines is a total violation of common sense

“The only power to remove a Chief Justice is vested in the Head of State on advice from the National Executive Council. There is NO OTHER POWER TO INTERFERE WITH A CHIEF JUSTICE. It is the ONLY check and balance on the Chief Justice, other than the leadership code. Sections 179-182 provide for the steps for removal of a Chief Justice.” -           Tiffany Twivey Regarding the Statement above by Tiffany Twivey: “ what a load of half-baked bullshit” -           Nou Vada Allow me to Explain. Before we begin, let me say that Judges are subject to the Leadership Code and investigations by the Ombudsman Commission by virtue of sections 26 (1)(e) and 221 (a) of the Constitution. To save you from scrolling up and down the constitution let me explain that Section 26 sets out who is subject to the Leadership Code and then refers you to s 221 and states that all Constitutional Officers listed under s 221 are subject to the Leadership Code as well. At s 221, the first Officer you will find is the