PNGBLOGS

PAPUA New Guinea's controversial deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has emerged as a possible white knight in Gold Coast boss Michael Searle's last-ditch plan to save the financially-stricken Titans. The development comes as Searle broke a two-month silence on the club's fiscal crisis yesterday, apologising to fans and revealing his and the Titans' future may hinge on securing fresh funds from a mystery backer. Insolvency firm KordaMentha issued a creditors' report on the Titans' property arm on Friday, revealing the company, of which Searle is sole director, has operated at a loss since 2008 with debts as high as $26 million. The report also questions whether the company traded while insolvent, an assessment Searle vehemently rejected yesterday. "I would not wish this on my worst enemy," Searle told the Gold Coast Bulletin before he fronted around 800 fans at the annual Titans Charity Ball at Jupiters Casino last night. "I think there will always

PAPUA New Guinea's controversial deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has emerged as a possible white knight in Gold Coast boss Michael Searle's last-ditch plan to save the financially-stricken Titans. The development comes as Searle broke a two-month silence on the club's fiscal crisis yesterday, apologising to fans and revealing his and the Titans' future may hinge on securing fresh funds from a mystery backer. Insolvency firm KordaMentha issued a creditors' report on the Titans' property arm on Friday, revealing the company, of which Searle is sole director, has operated at a loss since 2008 with debts as high as $26 million. The report also questions whether the company traded while insolvent, an assessment Searle vehemently rejected yesterday. "I would not wish this on my worst enemy," Searle told the Gold Coast Bulletin before he fronted around 800 fans at the annual Titans Charity Ball at Jupiters Casino last night. "I think there

There are a few people on this site trying their best to distract and detract from the conversation and the real issues raised by this article. It is a deliberate attempt to hi-jack the conversation, and I think we know why. We are reminded by Onecountry in stark and contrasting language of the depths and the widths of this identity crisis that Australia as a nation struggles with. Its relations with its neighbours is one of disdainful contempt, and of oppression. The incidence of Mr Marae's arrest clearly demonstrates Australia has no regard for the rule of law and diplomatic protocol. Indeed it would use the law as a tool when it suits it, and disregard it whenever it desires. Mr Marae's prosecution is likely to fail because the Australian government clearly engaged in a kidnap of Mr Marae. There is a very enlightening article by Patrick Oconnor in the Fiji Sun this week and the link is http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/05/19/now-a-moti-row-repeat/ . In this article Mr Oconnor

There are a few people on this site trying their best to distract and detract from the conversation and the real issues raised by this article. It is a deliberate attempt to hi-jack the conversation, and I think we know why. We are reminded by Onecountry in stark and contrasting language of the depths and the widths of this identity crisis that Australia as a nation struggles with. Its relations with its neighbours is one of disdainful contempt, and of oppression. The incidence of Mr Marae's arrest clearly demonstrates Australia has no regard for the rule of law and diplomatic protocol. Indeed it would use the law as a tool when it suits it, and disregard it whenever it desires. Mr Marae's prosecution is likely to fail because the Australian government clearly engaged in a kidnap of Mr Marae. There is a very enlightening article by Patrick Oconnor in the Fiji Sun this week and the link is http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2012/05/19/now-a-moti-row-repeat/ . In this article

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