PNGBLOGS

By George Manok I am a PNG national raised and living overseas.  Nearly everything I know about PNG current events comes from what I read on the internet.  I can see that blogs are the future to learn the truth about any controversy.  Unlike traditional newspapers, a blog allows both sides to have their say and debate until their faces are blue and all the positives and negatives of the controversy comes out.  If one side won’t say anything, that is good evidence too.  Overall, blogs give those of us who are not directly involved the best opportunity to judge who is on the right or wrong side of an issue.   I am disturbed by how my PNG looks to people overseas.  There are so many good things about my country that would shine if not for 3 problem areas that dominate the news. These areas are (1) primitive and backwards behaviour by a very small minority (example-witch hunts and witch burning), (2) PNG government corruption, and (3) poor, laid back attitude of average Papua New Guineans

By George Manok I am a PNG national raised and living overseas.  Nearly everything I know about PNG current events comes from what I read on the internet.  I can see that blogs are the future to learn the truth about any controversy.  Unlike traditional newspapers, a blog allows both sides to have their say and debate until their faces are blue and all the positives and negatives of the controversy comes out.  If one side won’t say anything, that is good evidence too.  Overall, blogs give those of us who are not directly involved the best opportunity to judge who is on the right or wrong side of an issue.   I am disturbed by how my PNG looks to people overseas.  There are so many good things about my country that would shine if not for 3 problem areas that dominate the news. These areas are (1) primitive and backwards behaviour by a very small minority (example-witch hunts and witch burning), (2) PNG government corruption, and (3) poor, laid back attitude of average Papua Ne

By RENATA LAVEIL We have a very deflective and directive Prime Minister at the ‘helm’ of this country, by now most Papua New Guineans are not blind to the tactics used by O’Neill to downplay any question or issue that is put to him, especially questions regarding money. Yesterday, he openly denied in parliament the government having issued any bonds totalling K500 million as alleged by the Opposition Leader, Hon. Belden Namah during his Budget response. In an article dated 17th April 2013, on the Business Advantage it was reported that the Papua New Guinea Government was apparently exploring the option of US Dollar bond to help finance its deficit budget. According to International sources the PNG govt engaged Barclays, J.P Morgan and BNP Paribas to assist with possible bond issue which should raise as much as US$ 500m (K1, 199 million est.) allegedly for the government coffers. While it could not be confirmed when the PNG government’s proposal to expand to the international market eve

A SPREADING SICKNESS IN PNG By PNGBLOGS Recently on the Masalai Blog, former Prime Minister Mekere Morauta wrote a thought provoking article “No one is safe in PNG” (link: http://masalai.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/mekere-morauta-says-no-one-is-safe-in-png/ ).   Sir Mekere has noticed that nearly everyone in PNG has become afraid to speak out.   For example, a worker won’t speak out when they see the boss stealing because they’re afraid of losing their job or a promotion.   An LLG leader won’t say anything negative about the government because they fear they might be denied development funds to use in their electorate.   A wantok share their unhappiness about another wantok’s behaviour because they worry that their wantok will create problems for them. These fears and worries have created a Silence Sickness that has spread throughout PNG.    ORIGINS OF THE SILENCE SICKNESS What’s going on?    Weren’t we taught in high school that speaking one’s opinion without fear or favour is a basic