PNGBLOGS

By TOBIAS KULUNG MP We the Opposition, call on all fellow parliamentarians, to stand up and defend the National Constitution from being manipulated and flogged for short term political gains of the Prime Minister and his Government and not allow themselves to be misguided by self-interest. The further amendments proposed to section 145 of the Constitution in addition to the 30 months amendment, with respect to votes of no confidence and amendment to section 124 which deals with, the callings of Parliament, is nothing more than a selfish and heartless scheme designed to secure them-selves a full five year term in office, by removing or weakening key safeguards of our democracy. This is not only dictatorial but a dangerous abuse and violation of our National Constitution. All Members have taken an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and we call on intellectual MPs and Former Prime Ministers to lead the way in defending the spirit and intentions of the Constitution. The Constituti

By TOBIAS KULUNG MP We the Opposition, call on all fellow parliamentarians, to stand up and defend the National Constitution from being manipulated and flogged for short term political gains of the Prime Minister and his Government and not allow themselves to be misguided by self-interest. The further amendments proposed to section 145 of the Constitution in addition to the 30 months amendment, with respect to votes of no confidence and amendment to section 124 which deals with, the callings of Parliament, is nothing more than a selfish and heartless scheme designed to secure them-selves a full five year term in office, by removing or weakening key safeguards of our democracy. This is not only dictatorial but a dangerous abuse and violation of our National Constitution. All Members have taken an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution and we call on intellectual MPs and Former Prime Ministers to lead the way in defending the spirit and intentions of the Constitution. Th

Jason MacLeod West Papua has just won an extraordinary victory at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting in Noumea. When the heads of government and distinguished persons from Melanesian nations gathered for the MSG annual meeting in late June, the most prominent item on the agenda was West Papua’s membership. It was the result of some 18 months work by John Otto Ondawame, Rex Rumakiek, Andy Ajamiseba and Paula Makabory, the coordinating group of the West Papua National Coalition of Liberation, a West Papuan umbrella group for resistance organisations inside and outside the country. At the meeting, representatives of the Indonesian government (recently granted observer status by the MSG) publicly conceded that West Papua has become an international problem. This is extremely significant; for decades the Indonesian government has insisted that West Papua is an internal issue. Jakarta has repeatedly refused all offers of international assistance to resolve the longstanding conflict

Jason MacLeod West Papua has just won an extraordinary victory at the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting in Noumea. When the heads of government and distinguished persons from Melanesian nations gathered for the MSG annual meeting in late June, the most prominent item on the agenda was West Papua’s membership. It was the result of some 18 months work by John Otto Ondawame, Rex Rumakiek, Andy Ajamiseba and Paula Makabory, the coordinating group of the West Papua National Coalition of Liberation, a West Papuan umbrella group for resistance organisations inside and outside the country. At the meeting, representatives of the Indonesian government (recently granted observer status by the MSG) publicly conceded that West Papua has become an international problem. This is extremely significant; for decades the Indonesian government has insisted that West Papua is an internal issue. Jakarta has repeatedly refused all offers of international assistance to resolve the longstanding co

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has said more than once that the country has nothing to show for all the money that has flowed into this country’s coffers in the past few years. Much, much more is about to flow into its treasury when the Ramu Nickel/Cobalt mine starts exporting; when the LNG project harvests its first shipment of gas next year; and when major new mines start up in Wafi and  Frieda River. Where is all this money going to be invested to finally reverse the trend O’Neill speaks about? Will it show up in major infrastructure projects that the nation can be proud of for years to come? Even the redistribution of financing to the rural areas might not show up in anything, as we have alluded to in this space on many occasions. This is a hugely maritime country with major river networks crisscrossing the mainland and the seas that separate it from its island provinces. Yet our marine transportation system is so poor as to be almost nonexistent. Government-chartered air and sea tra

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has said more than once that the country has nothing to show for all the money that has flowed into this country’s coffers in the past few years. Much, much more is about to flow into its treasury when the Ramu Nickel/Cobalt mine starts exporting; when the LNG project harvests its first shipment of gas next year; and when major new mines start up in Wafi and  Frieda River. Where is all this money going to be invested to finally reverse the trend O’Neill speaks about? Will it show up in major infrastructure projects that the nation can be proud of for years to come? Even the redistribution of financing to the rural areas might not show up in anything, as we have alluded to in this space on many occasions. This is a hugely maritime country with major river networks crisscrossing the mainland and the seas that separate it from its island provinces. Yet our marine transportation system is so poor as to be almost nonexistent. Government-chartered air and s

By J L BRAUN Attention: Hon James Marape, Parliament Haus On a personal note, I trust you’re sitting down, sir. We near the first anniversary of my initial expression of interest via email to FinCorp Haus’s Assistant Secretary for National High Schools. Evidently Joyce Tepu doesn’t monitor her inbox. (Do any officials?) This despite her Prime Minister’s recurring public admonitions for the public service to implement implement implement. Therefore, three weeks later I airmail a thick envelope to Secretary Musawe Sinabare and Deputy Luke Taita, requesting them to forward my credentials to the Curriculum Branch and other relevant personnel. I await acknowledgement. In Tony Fova’s late-September published proclamation related to OBE exit strategy, he requests suggestions, confirms his appointment as Executive Officer for the OBE Secretariat, and reveals his phone numbers and email contact. My email to him elicits Message copied…I shall pass your papers over to Ms Tepu. You know the rest