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PNG plans military build-up, but why?

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By DONALD GUMBIS Papua New Guinea's Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok has announced that PNG plans to build up its military capacity from around 2000 personnel to 10,000. While it is hardly unusual for fast-growing resource-rich countries to increase military spending as their national ambitions expand, Papua New Guinea has yet to address very significant development challenges in basic health and education. Increased spending on the military in such circumstances must therefore be questioned. Why does Papua New Guinea need a larger military capacity? One factor in the Government's consideration could be the land border with Indonesia. The border skirmishes between the traditional people of PNG's Sandaun Province and Indonesian military spotlight the PNG Government's inattention to border issues. These issues pose a test for the Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship and Cooperation PNG has with Indonesia. In a Radio Australia interview, former PNGDF Commander General Jerry

PNG plans military build-up, but why?

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By DONALD GUMBIS Papua New Guinea's Defence Minister Dr Fabian Pok has announced that PNG plans to build up its military capacity from around 2000 personnel to 10,000. While it is hardly unusual for fast-growing resource-rich countries to increase military spending as their national ambitions expand, Papua New Guinea has yet to address very significant development challenges in basic health and education. Increased spending on the military in such circumstances must therefore be questioned. Why does Papua New Guinea need a larger military capacity? One factor in the Government's consideration could be the land border with Indonesia. The border skirmishes between the traditional people of PNG's Sandaun Province and Indonesian military spotlight the PNG Government's inattention to border issues. These issues pose a test for the Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship and Cooperation PNG has with Indonesia. In a Radio Australia interview, former PNGDF Commander Gen

"PM sent someone to have me arrested" Threats issued to blogger

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PNGBLOGS PM: Going out against Bloggers  I was alerted to an e-mail from a friend on Thursday 14th February 2013, he made mention that he is being targeted by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill because he has been a staunch critic of his administration. He went on to say that sources within the PMs office have confirm that there were instructions to arrest him for comments he posted about corruption within his government and himself on how he handle issues of interest that he think needs to be put out publicly for our people's consumption. This is a copy of the e-mail received on Friday 15th February 2013” "Prime Minister sent one his man namely Sioni from Sepik and he in now in Kimbe doing this job. “Tonight at about 0630pm a white 5 door drove up our street and stop right in front of my house for about 10 minutes then a short gentleman came of the vehicle and went straight to a canteen directly opposite from the gate of my house. The guy who went to the sh

"PM sent someone to have me arrested" Threats issued to blogger

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PNGBLOGS PM: Going out against Bloggers  I was alerted to an e-mail from a friend on Thursday 14th February 2013, he made mention that he is being targeted by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O’Neill because he has been a staunch critic of his administration. He went on to say that sources within the PMs office have confirm that there were instructions to arrest him for comments he posted about corruption within his government and himself on how he handle issues of interest that he think needs to be put out publicly for our people's consumption. This is a copy of the e-mail received on Friday 15th February 2013” "Prime Minister sent one his man namely Sioni from Sepik and he in now in Kimbe doing this job. “Tonight at about 0630pm a white 5 door drove up our street and stop right in front of my house for about 10 minutes then a short gentleman came of the vehicle and went straight to a canteen directly opposite from the gate of my house. The guy who

Sorcery, Murder,Things Falling Apart and Melanesian Attutudes . A Plea to PNG's Educated.

By JOHN FOWKE Press reports around the world indicate that "sanguma meris" are being burnt alive in Mount Hagen City. A spectacular departure from the usual method of murder involving dragging the alleged sanguma behind a vehicle, then arrowing and drowning him/her after rape and/or torture. This latter method of murder weas the fate of the mother of an old friend of mine near Suave about five years ago. The old lady, a widow and alone in the village of her late husband, was accused of using sanguma  powers to kill a young man of the village, the subject of investment by relatives and a rising star in his course at  UPNG. There were no investigations . The matter was ignored by empowered officials despite pleas from my friend, who was in a position to provide petrol and "lunch allowance" in the manner usually demanded. It was suggested that the old lady's murder had been justified in traditional terms. It was said that the officials themselves felt threatened. A

Sorcery, Murder,Things Falling Apart and Melanesian Attutudes . A Plea to PNG's Educated.

By JOHN FOWKE Press reports around the world indicate that "sanguma meris" are being burnt alive in Mount Hagen City. A spectacular departure from the usual method of murder involving dragging the alleged sanguma behind a vehicle, then arrowing and drowning him/her after rape and/or torture. This latter method of murder weas the fate of the mother of an old friend of mine near Suave about five years ago. The old lady, a widow and alone in the village of her late husband, was accused of using sanguma  powers to kill a young man of the village, the subject of investment by relatives and a rising star in his course at  UPNG. There were no investigations . The matter was ignored by empowered officials despite pleas from my friend, who was in a position to provide petrol and "lunch allowance" in the manner usually demanded. It was suggested that the old lady's murder had been justified in traditional terms. It was said that the officials themselves felt threatened

Australia and O’Neill dragging PNG into an international sewer

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By MICHAEL GORDON, Newcastle Herald A SCATHING report on conditions on Manus Island has urged incoming Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor to stop sending asylum seekers to the remote Papua New Guinea site until sweeping recommendations are considered. The report by the United Nations refugee agency accuses the Australian and PNG governments of being in breach of international treaty obligations and expresses particular alarm at the plight of children in the facility. Its release coincides with the 10th transfer of asylum seekers to the offshore processing centre, which now holds 254 asylum seekers, 34 of them children. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who visited the centre last week, supported the recommendations, warning of outbreaks of self-harm and riots if conditions are not improved. “They’re being treated like animals at the moment, including the children,” Senator Hanson-Young told Fairfax Media. But a spokesman for outgoing minister Chris Bowen defended conditions on the

Australia and O’Neill dragging PNG into an international sewer

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By MICHAEL GORDON, Newcastle Herald A SCATHING report on conditions on Manus Island has urged incoming Immigration Minister Brendan O’Connor to stop sending asylum seekers to the remote Papua New Guinea site until sweeping recommendations are considered. The report by the United Nations refugee agency accuses the Australian and PNG governments of being in breach of international treaty obligations and expresses particular alarm at the plight of children in the facility. Its release coincides with the 10th transfer of asylum seekers to the offshore processing centre, which now holds 254 asylum seekers, 34 of them children. Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who visited the centre last week, supported the recommendations, warning of outbreaks of self-harm and riots if conditions are not improved. “They’re being treated like animals at the moment, including the children,” Senator Hanson-Young told Fairfax Media. But a spokesman for outgoing minister Chris Bowen defended cond

Police save 'sorcerers' after mob try to burn them alive

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The women were accused of killing an eight-year-old girl in Mount Hagen, the same city where a crowd burnt a 20-year-old mother last week after stripping her naked and beating her  in a killing that shocked the world . A police commander, Teddy Tei, said an angry crowd claimed two elderly women had killed the eight-year-old, but that police believed she had been "gang-raped and killed by two known suspects". The suspects were among the crowd attacking the women, who were tied to poles and about to be burnt. Also present was a "glassman" - a man who claimed to have supernatural powers and who had identified the luckless women as sorcerers and claimed they were responsible for the child's death. About 20 people were arrested. The incident follows the killing two weeks ago of Kepari Leniata, 20, who was reportedly tortured with a branding iron and tied up, doused with fuel and burnt on a pile of rubbish topped with car tyres, while a crowd including children looked

Police save 'sorcerers' after mob try to burn them alive

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The women were accused of killing an eight-year-old girl in Mount Hagen, the same city where a crowd burnt a 20-year-old mother last week after stripping her naked and beating her  in a killing that shocked the world . A police commander, Teddy Tei, said an angry crowd claimed two elderly women had killed the eight-year-old, but that police believed she had been "gang-raped and killed by two known suspects". The suspects were among the crowd attacking the women, who were tied to poles and about to be burnt. Also present was a "glassman" - a man who claimed to have supernatural powers and who had identified the luckless women as sorcerers and claimed they were responsible for the child's death. About 20 people were arrested. The incident follows the killing two weeks ago of Kepari Leniata, 20, who was reportedly tortured with a branding iron and tied up, doused with fuel and burnt on a pile of rubbish topped with car tyres, while a crowd incl

PM & MINISTER POK STUNNED BY OPPOSITION DURING QUESTION TIME

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Corrupt past brought to parliament,  Fabian PORK By Graham Tenaen Robinson   As the parliament bell rang this morning both Government and Opposition MPs turned out with a good representation of 70% in attendance. The opposition through deputy opposition leader Hon. Sam Basil did not waste time during Q & A on the floor of parliament as he made reference to the Commission of Inquiry set up by Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in June 2006 into the Investment Corporation Fund of PNG including the new Pacific Balanced Fund that reported a write off a write-off of shareholder funds amounting to K37 million. The staggering amount is part of 11 terms of reference relating to Administrative and Financial Management Procedure, Appointment of Trustee, Managers including other issues. Member for Bulolo and Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Sam Basil asked Prime Minister O’Neill when he was going to provide directions as per the findings and Recommendations of the COI Report into the Invest

PM & MINISTER POK STUNNED BY OPPOSITION DURING QUESTION TIME

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Corrupt past brought to parliament,  Fabian PORK By Graham Tenaen Robinson   As the parliament bell rang this morning both Government and Opposition MPs turned out with a good representation of 70% in attendance. The opposition through deputy opposition leader Hon. Sam Basil did not waste time during Q & A on the floor of parliament as he made reference to the Commission of Inquiry set up by Rt Hon. Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in June 2006 into the Investment Corporation Fund of PNG including the new Pacific Balanced Fund that reported a write off a write-off of shareholder funds amounting to K37 million. The staggering amount is part of 11 terms of reference relating to Administrative and Financial Management Procedure, Appointment of Trustee, Managers including other issues. Member for Bulolo and Deputy Opposition Leader Hon. Sam Basil asked Prime Minister O’Neill when he was going to provide directions as per the findings and Recommendations of the COI Report into

2013 Budget Blowout – PNG Red Alert

By NATHAN DINGU It has occurred to me that most Papua New Guineans do not comprehend the meaning of a budget blowout and a lessening GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Well the true fact is that this is happening in Papua New Guinea right as we speak. James Marape, Minister for Education and Finance has recently announced that PNG shall be in budget deficit by as much as K2.4 billion. Of which PNG shall seek both internal and external funding of this. A Budget deficit occurs mainly as a result of a lessening GDP, which literally means more government spending on top of a declining revenue sector. What does this tell the average Papua New Guinean? We are currently facing a situation whereby there will be: - Less business revenue resulting in more unemployment - Possibility of hyper inflation - More Borrowings by the government to cover expenditure in 2013 resulting in - More borrowings by the government by 2014 What is the government doing about this? They are spending more in free health a

2013 Budget Blowout – PNG Red Alert

By NATHAN DINGU It has occurred to me that most Papua New Guineans do not comprehend the meaning of a budget blowout and a lessening GDP (Gross Domestic Product). Well the true fact is that this is happening in Papua New Guinea right as we speak. James Marape, Minister for Education and Finance has recently announced that PNG shall be in budget deficit by as much as K2.4 billion. Of which PNG shall seek both internal and external funding of this. A Budget deficit occurs mainly as a result of a lessening GDP, which literally means more government spending on top of a declining revenue sector. What does this tell the average Papua New Guinean? We are currently facing a situation whereby there will be: - Less business revenue resulting in more unemployment - Possibility of hyper inflation - More Borrowings by the government to cover expenditure in 2013 resulting in - More borrowings by the government by 2014 What is the government doing about this? They are spending more in free health

PNG happy to keep fugitives and crooks and willing to deport professionals

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Post Courier PM will order a "Will Look into It" enquiry Usual for a PM who is keen on keeping a known fugitive in his shadows. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Schram was on Air Niugini flight PX 393 which departed Singapore on the evening of Thursday, February 7, and arrived in Port Moresby the next morning on Friday, February 8, at 8am. Upon arrival, he was forcibly put on another Air Niugini flight PX 5 to Brisbane the same day at 1.30pm. He is in Brisbane and plans to travel to Canberra to meet with the head of the European Union delegation to Australia and the Netherlands Ambassador to talk to them about his deportation from PNG. He also plans to meet with the AusAID official in charge of higher education in PNG about the same matter. Dr Schram believes his deportation is the result of this article which was published in the Post-Courier. The Prime Minister is believed to have been upset by this article and it is alleged that he may have given directions for Dr Schram

PNG happy to keep fugitives and crooks and willing to deport professionals

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Post Courier PM will order a "Will Look into It" enquiry Usual for a PM who is keen on keeping a known fugitive in his shadows. UNITECH Vice Chancellor Dr Albert Schram was on Air Niugini flight PX 393 which departed Singapore on the evening of Thursday, February 7, and arrived in Port Moresby the next morning on Friday, February 8, at 8am. Upon arrival, he was forcibly put on another Air Niugini flight PX 5 to Brisbane the same day at 1.30pm. He is in Brisbane and plans to travel to Canberra to meet with the head of the European Union delegation to Australia and the Netherlands Ambassador to talk to them about his deportation from PNG. He also plans to meet with the AusAID official in charge of higher education in PNG about the same matter. Dr Schram believes his deportation is the result of this article which was published in the Post-Courier. The Prime Minister is believed to have been upset by this article and it is alleged that he may have given directions f

DANGEROUS CONCENTRATION OF POWER

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By Waigani Observer History speaks so much about the dangers of power being concentrated in only one region or person, and so is this note, to remind the many Papua New Guineans about the imminent backlash, if we are not careful with distribution of power and wealth. Having reflected on the distribution of balance of power in the current O’Neil-led government, it is becoming more and more visible that power and the custodianship of the country’s wealth, is centred around the Upper Highlands of the country. To prove this point, one just has to look at the distribution of ministries. The economic ministerial powerbase which includes the Finance, Treasury, Works, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum and Energy and Environment and Conservation to a lesser extent, are all concentrated in just one region or corner of the country.  Their next door neighbours from the Eastern Block who contribute 19 votes in support of the current government, in the meantime, are feted with only three ser

DANGEROUS CONCENTRATION OF POWER

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By Waigani Observer History speaks so much about the dangers of power being concentrated in only one region or person, and so is this note, to remind the many Papua New Guineans about the imminent backlash, if we are not careful with distribution of power and wealth. Having reflected on the distribution of balance of power in the current O’Neil-led government, it is becoming more and more visible that power and the custodianship of the country’s wealth, is centred around the Upper Highlands of the country. To prove this point, one just has to look at the distribution of ministries. The economic ministerial powerbase which includes the Finance, Treasury, Works, Foreign Affairs, Petroleum and Energy and Environment and Conservation to a lesser extent, are all concentrated in just one region or corner of the country.  Their next door neighbours from the Eastern Block who contribute 19 votes in support of the current government, in the meantime, are fete

Opposition to reveal dark side of Prime Minister O'Neill, restart NPF,

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Opposition to reveal dark side of Prime Minister O'Neill, restart NPF,

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