PNGBLOGS

TIGHT security and high anxiety underwrote the final sitting of Papua New Guinea's outgoing Parliament this week, with rumours running hot that an 11th-hour power play would derail the looming national election and plunge the troubled nation deeper into uncharted straits. Despite Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's efforts to douse claims that MPs seeking a delay of the poll were plotting against him, conspiracy theories electrified city-dwelling citizens anxious to use their votes to end the crippling political impasse of the past nine months. (How far such concerns resonate out in the landscape of the rural majority, where many long ago gave up on services or governance, is another story.) As MPs gathered for the showdown on Tuesday, beefed-up security and the mysterious absence of the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, fanned suspicion that something was up. For almost two hours the burgeoning online gallery of PNG's switched-on citizenry tweeted, posted and sweated on his non-appear

TIGHT security and high anxiety underwrote the final sitting of Papua New Guinea's outgoing Parliament this week, with rumours running hot that an 11th-hour power play would derail the looming national election and plunge the troubled nation deeper into uncharted straits. Despite Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's efforts to douse claims that MPs seeking a delay of the poll were plotting against him, conspiracy theories electrified city-dwelling citizens anxious to use their votes to end the crippling political impasse of the past nine months. (How far such concerns resonate out in the landscape of the rural majority, where many long ago gave up on services or governance, is another story.) As MPs gathered for the showdown on Tuesday, beefed-up security and the mysterious absence of the Speaker, Jeffrey Nape, fanned suspicion that something was up. For almost two hours the burgeoning online gallery of PNG's switched-on citizenry tweeted, posted and sweated on his non-appear

When the old man (MTS) underwent offshore heart operations last year, the son announced the family's resolution about retiring their father from politics. However, this was utterly overturned when the frail and pale looking old man adamantly declared his intentions soon after returning from Singapore that he will relentlessly defend his post as he was still the Legal PM of the Nation. On a similar note, the daughter couple of weeks ago via Liam Fox, ABC correspondence News echoed similar family sentiment regarding their father’s exit in local politics however, this was again countered with cold reception from the old man yesterday when he announced he is still yet undecided whilst implicitly implying his intentions to run the NE.   From yesterday’s final Parliament Sitting, Dame Kidu and Sir Mek announced their last day in politics and received their well-deserved send-offs from the House however, nothing of this sort did we see forthcoming from the old man. So, it is sensible to

When the old man (MTS) underwent offshore heart operations last year, the son announced the family's resolution about retiring their father from politics. However, this was utterly overturned when the frail and pale looking old man adamantly declared his intentions soon after returning from Singapore that he will relentlessly defend his post as he was still the Legal PM of the Nation. On a similar note, the daughter couple of weeks ago via Liam Fox, ABC correspondence News echoed similar family sentiment regarding their father’s exit in local politics however, this was again countered with cold reception from the old man yesterday when he announced he is still yet undecided whilst implicitly implying his intentions to run the NE.   From yesterday’s final Parliament Sitting, Dame Kidu and Sir Mek announced their last day in politics and received their well-deserved send-offs from the House however, nothing of this sort did we see forthcoming from the old man. So, it is

PARLIAMENT sits this week for the last time before the general election. It is assumed that today’s session will be a mere formality for both the government, middle and opposition benches with all members practically in unison on the election schedule. If there were voices of dissension or a push from whichever quarter to stall the election, or defer proceedings, then that time has come and gone. Rumours of an impending motion to remove Prime Minister Peter O’Neill must be seen for what they are, simply the uttering of individuals who have lost touch with reality or are just intent on causing unnecessary anxiety. With the issue of writs on Friday, we are just a little over five weeks away from the moment the first voter casts his or her all-important vote on June 23 in the 109 electorates of PNG. Election fever has not quite reached a crescendo yet but, be rest assured, it will start building up in the coming days and weeks. Campaigning is set to shift into high gear from next week. On

PARLIAMENT sits this week for the last time before the general election. It is assumed that today’s session will be a mere formality for both the government, middle and opposition benches with all members practically in unison on the election schedule. If there were voices of dissension or a push from whichever quarter to stall the election, or defer proceedings, then that time has come and gone. Rumours of an impending motion to remove Prime Minister Peter O’Neill must be seen for what they are, simply the uttering of individuals who have lost touch with reality or are just intent on causing unnecessary anxiety. With the issue of writs on Friday, we are just a little over five weeks away from the moment the first voter casts his or her all-important vote on June 23 in the 109 electorates of PNG. Election fever has not quite reached a crescendo yet but, be rest assured, it will start building up in the coming days and weeks. Campaigning is set to shift into high gear from next

Without publishing anything in the report, generally, our investigations have revealed very frightening trend of corruption in this country. The level of corruption had migrated from sporadic such as occasional incidences of bribes to systematic and now to institutionalisation where Government institutions are dominated by corrupt people who orchestrate corruption using their lawful authorities. Institutions that supposed to practise openness and provide check and balance are now becoming a secrecy haven, where they sanction illegality and secrecy. Unlike in the past where people use existing loopholes to steal public funds, this time they use their position, authority and institutions of government to orchestrate the passage of legislation, gazettal of instruments or even devising of guidelines to create loopholes and loot the country’s wealth using those loopholes. Corruption is legislated in some instances. Equal distribution of scarce resources as enshrined in our Constitution has

Without publishing anything in the report, generally, our investigations have revealed very frightening trend of corruption in this country. The level of corruption had migrated from sporadic such as occasional incidences of bribes to systematic and now to institutionalisation where Government institutions are dominated by corrupt people who orchestrate corruption using their lawful authorities. Institutions that supposed to practise openness and provide check and balance are now becoming a secrecy haven, where they sanction illegality and secrecy. Unlike in the past where people use existing loopholes to steal public funds, this time they use their position, authority and institutions of government to orchestrate the passage of legislation, gazettal of instruments or even devising of guidelines to create loopholes and loot the country’s wealth using those loopholes. Corruption is legislated in some instances. Equal distribution of scarce resources as enshrined in our Constitution ha

Papua New Guinea's political impasse has rattled along for nine months with barely a week passing without some constitutional or national crisis. Having two prime ministers, two cabinets, two governors-general, two police commissioners and at one point – during a short-lived mutiny at army headquarters – two military commanders has brought a new level of uncertainty, even by this country's standards. While most of PNG's public institutions have supported the administration of Peter O'Neill, the standoff over who is the legitimate government has undermined the Melanesian country's democratic pillars. If there was initial enthusiasm for the new-look government after the parliamentary ousting of long-time prime minister Sir Michael Somare, a subsequent arm-wrestle between O'Neill's coalition and the judiciary, as well as moves to defer elections, have eroded much of that. Repeated attempts by the O'Neill government to remove the chief justice, Sir Salamo In