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Showing posts with the label Arnold Amet

Michael Somare set to resume office as O'Neill faces contempt charges

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Somare back in as Prime Minister THE Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea is expected to issue contempt charges against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, with a triumphant Sir Michael Somare saying he will present himself to the governor-general and take the oath of office. The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the election of Mr O'Neill to the prime ministership by a parliamentary vote of 70-24 on August 2 was unconstitutional and ordered Sir Michael resume the top job. In doing so, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia indicated contempt charges will be laid against Mr O'Neill and his lawyer following a last ditch application on Friday to remove the three-year veteran of the Supreme Court before he had handed down his judgment. The Supreme Court is also expected to hand down a contempt judgment on Mr O'Neill's deputy PM Belden Namah and attorney-general Dr Alan Marat, after the pair tried to suspend the chief justice in November. The three to two decision by the five-man

Michael Somare set to resume office as O'Neill faces contempt charges

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Somare back in as Prime Minister THE Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea is expected to issue contempt charges against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, with a triumphant Sir Michael Somare saying he will present himself to the governor-general and take the oath of office. The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the election of Mr O'Neill to the prime ministership by a parliamentary vote of 70-24 on August 2 was unconstitutional and ordered Sir Michael resume the top job. In doing so, Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia indicated contempt charges will be laid against Mr O'Neill and his lawyer following a last ditch application on Friday to remove the three-year veteran of the Supreme Court before he had handed down his judgment. The Supreme Court is also expected to hand down a contempt judgment on Mr O'Neill's deputy PM Belden Namah and attorney-general Dr Alan Marat, after the pair tried to suspend the chief justice in November. The three to two decision by the f

Hearing Lacks Quality

SPROX WALKER I was one of the many people who attended the lea­dership tribunal of Prime Mi­nister Sir Michael So­mare in court room 1 at the Waigani National Court premises recently. As a layman, I understand the different functions of the office of public prosecutor and the Om­budsman Commission. I also understand what the tribunal is and the purpose for its set-up and its conduct of the proceedings. During the course of the tribunal, three issues surfaced and I am troubled by them. First, the composition of the tribunal. Whilst I have no doubt about the academic and professional experiences of the members, I am disturbed by the quality of questions raised during the proceedings. These questions would not have risen if we had our own judges presiding. For the tribunal to understand the crux of the matter before them, they need to have a fair understanding of the constitutional planning committee report (CPC), the Constitution, relevant Organic Laws and enabling legislations. The coun

Hearing Lacks Quality

SPROX WALKER I was one of the many people who attended the lea­dership tribunal of Prime Mi­nister Sir Michael So­mare in court room 1 at the Waigani National Court premises recently. As a layman, I understand the different functions of the office of public prosecutor and the Om­budsman Commission. I also understand what the tribunal is and the purpose for its set-up and its conduct of the proceedings. During the course of the tribunal, three issues surfaced and I am troubled by them. First, the composition of the tribunal. Whilst I have no doubt about the academic and professional experiences of the members, I am disturbed by the quality of questions raised during the proceedings. These questions would not have risen if we had our own judges presiding. For the tribunal to understand the crux of the matter before them, they need to have a fair understanding of the constitutional planning committee report (CPC), the Constitution, relevant Organic Laws and enabling legislations. The

Arnold Amet under Scrutiny

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OP.ED Former Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet was Papua New Guinea’s second Chief Justice of the National and Supreme Courts. He took over from another eminent Papua New Guineans, Sir Buri Kidu, the late husband of Dame Carol Kidu, the MP for Moresby South. As Chief Justice, he was highly regarded and respected by the people of this country and overseas. Sir Arnold was seen as one of the pillars of this nation. Ordinary people used to think of him simply as a good man, a good Papua New Guinean. When he retired from the Judiciary, he provided consultative services to the public and private sectors because his views on the Constitution and laws of PNG were highly regarded and respected. When Madang MP Sir Peter Barter decided to quit politics due to health reasons, Sir Arnold was asked by Sir Peter to take on the challenge to represent the people of Madang. Sir Amet accepted the invitation and announced to the people of Madang and PNG that he was to contest the 2007 national elections. M

Arnold Amet under Scrutiny

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OP.ED Former Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet was Papua New Guinea’s second Chief Justice of the National and Supreme Courts. He took over from another eminent Papua New Guineans, Sir Buri Kidu, the late husband of Dame Carol Kidu, the MP for Moresby South. As Chief Justice, he was highly regarded and respected by the people of this country and overseas. Sir Arnold was seen as one of the pillars of this nation. Ordinary people used to think of him simply as a good man, a good Papua New Guinean. When he retired from the Judiciary, he provided consultative services to the public and private sectors because his views on the Constitution and laws of PNG were highly regarded and respected. When Madang MP Sir Peter Barter decided to quit politics due to health reasons, Sir Arnold was asked by Sir Peter to take on the challenge to represent the people of Madang. Sir Amet accepted the invitation and announced to the people of Madang and PNG that he was to contest the 2007 national electi

Papua New Guinea on the brinks of a Dictatorial Regime

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SAM BASIL MP Today is a sad day for PNG as people whom we had hopes on have been contaminated, and our hopes crushed. The former Chief Justice could have given a better reason than being defensive for the PM over the Leadership Tribunal. Look at how he described the reasons for the removal of Mr Tamata. He said Mr. Tamata was removed for non performance but failed to outline what sort of lack of performance. Did he mismanage the office? If so, what are the examples? Did he not do his constitutional duty? What are some examples? Was he cited for contempt for not allocating lawyers to attend to criminal cases/call-overs like his Predecessors? So what are the reasons at this very crucial moment when the whole nation is looking forward to see justice prevail? Can the former Chief Justice as a learned person justify his actions because you cannot afford to leave the people of PNG guessing? Otherwise, Sir Arnold is just another puppet, executing the PM and his family’s will and the only con

Papua New Guinea on the brinks of a Dictatorial Regime

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SAM BASIL MP Today is a sad day for PNG as people whom we had hopes on have been contaminated, and our hopes crushed. The former Chief Justice could have given a better reason than being defensive for the PM over the Leadership Tribunal. Look at how he described the reasons for the removal of Mr Tamata. He said Mr. Tamata was removed for non performance but failed to outline what sort of lack of performance. Did he mismanage the office? If so, what are the examples? Did he not do his constitutional duty? What are some examples? Was he cited for contempt for not allocating lawyers to attend to criminal cases/call-overs like his Predecessors? So what are the reasons at this very crucial moment when the whole nation is looking forward to see justice prevail? Can the former Chief Justice as a learned person justify his actions because you cannot afford to leave the people of PNG guessing? Otherwise, Sir Arnold is just another puppet, executing the PM and his family’s will and the onl

HARD TIMES AHEAD?

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PAUL REINBARA a/PM and former GG, Nationalpic by Evah.Kuamin Today the National is reporting that acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and a couple of ministers flew out to Kokopo yesterday to see Sir Paulias Matane on behalf of the side-lined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. As reported Sir Arnold Amet who appears to be the spokesman of the group said they were there to “pay respects to the former GG”. After being the point man for the National Alliance party in legal matters Sir Arnold has turned himself into a laughing stock and has taken the acting Prime Minister with him on this joyride. This trip could pose a number of possible or likely options the Government under the leadership of Mr Abal are trying to commandeer on, pending the leadership referral brought to their leader Sir Michael. The likelihood of Sir Matane contesting the GG post is now a possibility as this was seen to be the work of Sir Michael to telling him (Sir Matane) that we are still on this and he should not give

HARD TIMES AHEAD?

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PAUL REINBARA a/PM and former GG, Nationalpic by Evah.Kuamin Today the National is reporting that acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and a couple of ministers flew out to Kokopo yesterday to see Sir Paulias Matane on behalf of the side-lined Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. As reported Sir Arnold Amet who appears to be the spokesman of the group said they were there to “pay respects to the former GG”. After being the point man for the National Alliance party in legal matters Sir Arnold has turned himself into a laughing stock and has taken the acting Prime Minister with him on this joyride. This trip could pose a number of possible or likely options the Government under the leadership of Mr Abal are trying to commandeer on, pending the leadership referral brought to their leader Sir Michael. The likelihood of Sir Matane contesting the GG post is now a possibility as this was seen to be the work of Sir Michael to telling him (Sir Matane) that we are still on this and he should no