PNGBLOGS

by WAIGANI INSIDER The PM and his advisors aren’t dumb.  As it became more apparent what an economic mess the government had gotten PNG into, they were clear that more people would start speaking out. When anticorruption activist Noah Anjo organized his protests last year and MP Don Polye followed, the PM knew that he had to act fast.   The word was sent out not to allow any protests that were against the PM (this did not extend to TI protests. PM believes that TI protests aren’t any threat to his power and by allowing them to continue, he can say that he supports efforts to fight corruption).    The PM effectively keeps his MPs bought off but he fears public outrage.  Last October was the first serious threat to the PM’s authority, when Noah Anjo organized a protest march from Jack Pidik park to Parliament to support a vote of no confidence on the PM.   Anjo’s request for a protest permit was also turned down.  When Anjo got a court order allowing the protest, the PM knew tha

by MICHAEL JOSEPH PASSINGAN The recent and continuing actions by Police Commissioner Gari Baki have got deeper intentions than what appears to the public. Gari Baki is part of, and executing a conspiracy to completely set Peter O’Neill free from all corruption charges relating to the Paul Paraka Lawyers payments, LR Group-PNG Power Generators Deal, K3 Billion UBS Oil Search Deal etc and many other complaints of frauds that is currently investigated by the National Fraud And Anti-Corruption Directorate. If you have been watching closely, Peter O’Neill is running out of defences. He knows that you don’t have to benefit financially from the fraud to be guilty of the crime (Paul Tiensten being the example). He latest lowest point was when he said words “mi paulim meri blong ol na ol laik karabusim mi oh”, a reflection of a primitive mentality of Wiru Pangia. Peter O’Neill’s popularity is evaporating very fast. Prominent citizens including the two former Prime Ministers, Sir Mekere

by LEKEM LAKI The Deputy Chief Justice his Honour Gibs Salika rightly said in the national paper dated 14th March 2016 titled “Graft a disease” and he referred to the level of corruption rampant in the country cutting across every sector of PNG society. In that he meant to say, corruption isn’t “growing but is overgrown”. The concern raised is alarming in nature but it doesn’t become a cause of concern or raises goose bumps. The corruption is entrenched and deeply embedded in every stratum of government bureaucracy and agencies. The practice is normalised and given the longevity in continued practice, it has become a norm or second nature if you like to people who practice. With the proliferation of corruption, people aren’t remorseful or let alone raise goose bumps. The Department of Justice and Attorney General Secretary Dr. Lawrence Kalinoe refused Damarua’s request to engage private law firm. Damarua and the entire Fraud Squad team aren’t fighting tooth an

  by JOSEPH MOREA Peter O’Neill’s purging of opposition exercise reached its new height. Yes, it happened to be the Chief Magistrate Ms Nerrie Elliakim this time. In his latest attempt to remove all opposition, Mr O’Neill directed his Chief Secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc to direct his Attorney General to suspend the Chief Magistrate. This comes after the District Court refused to entertain an application by stooged Police Officers to arrest Director of Fraud Squad Mathew Damaru, Timothy Gitua and lawyer McRonald Nale concerning some drummed up charges of perjury. In a series of events leading up to today, the public at large witnessed the following:  Two lawyers Greg Egan and Terence Lambert acting for Task-Force Sweep members     were banned from entry. Two high ranking police officers namely Thomas Eluh and Timothy Gitua were terminated in the most dishonourable way. Unsuccessful attempt to obtain arrest warrant against Mathew Damaru, Timothy Gitua and McRonald Nale

by KUNI BIMUNDI I posed a query “who is funding PM O’Neill’s legal fees?”. Gregory Shepherd, believed to be the lead counsel in all the PM’s court cases, responded and said the State is paying for PM’s legal fees. He further asserted that the Attorney General briefed out cases and payment originates from State Solicitor. Gregory however did not stop at his response. He took a swipe at Mr Sam Koim in the guise of responding to my question. I was at a loss trying to connect how Greg was diverting his attention to Mr Koim. Mr Koim responded to Greg’s comments. The ensuing conversations/comments were hilarious and entertaining. Here is my take on the responses and various comments. Gregory Shepherd raised issues that he is already challenging in court hence Koim described him as engaging in “street fights”. Recent media reports of the cases attest to that. Whilst we citizens are bullied by lawyers for discussing court matters, lawyers like Greg himself took Koim to task in a pub

by BRYAN KRAMER Today's post Courier ran a front page story suggesting the Commissioner of Police Gary Baki is querying how confidential investigations by National Fraud & Anti-Corruption ended up being posted on Social Media. The daily paper quoted Baki having concerns as to why there was a need to go to media on public matters which are supposed to be confidential police investigations. He added that the actions of Mr Damaru and Mr Gitua undermined the integrity of the office of the Commissioner of Police. "This is a serious breach of discipline and amounts to insubordination. In fact they are treating the office of the Commissioner of Police with contempt. Why wasn't I briefed prior to the securing of the warrant of arrest?" Mr Baki said. "Why wasn't I briefed in the three days prior to my directive for the briefing after having read this matter on Facebook?" he said. In response I would like to clarify that I never obtai