Malum Nalu

Rough seas, strong winds at Finschhafen

2012-02-02T16:40:00.000+10:00

Update from Finschhafen: James Krimbu, a health worker at Braun Rural Hospital in Finschhafen, Morobe province, told me from Finschhafen that the area had been experiencing very rough seas and strong winds, which was hampering rescue efforts.
“At the moment, there are rough seas and strong winds in Finschhafen,” he said.
“District administrator organised boats to go out but they can’t because the seas are too rough.
“At the moment, they are on standby at Buki Wharf.
“They made a first attempt before lunch but they encountered rough seas and strong winds and they turned back.”
Krimbu said no bodies had been delivered to the Braun hospital, however, a helicopter had flown over Finschhafen for Lae

Rabaul Shipping office deserted after mv Rabaul Queen sinks

2012-02-02T14:11:00.000+10:00

By ALAN MCLAY

President

Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Our information is that the ship went down at about 6 am this morning.

There are extremely high winds and the sea is very rough.

The local villagers are very hesitant in venturing out to sea to assist the rescue in fear for their own lives (they know their own coast).

The Rabaul Shiiping office in Lae is deserted with a large crowd around it and no one can contact any of the management in Rabaul.

mv Rabaul Queen sinks with more than 300 passengers on board

2012-02-02T13:45:00.000+10:00

Passenger vessel mv Rabaul Queen has sunk with more than 300 passengers on board in waters off Finschhafen, Morobe province.
It is confirmed that the ship went down approximately 20 nautical miles north east of Finschhafen (6° 10 south 148° 08 east) 300 plus on board.
"There are four vessels and a helicopter in the area now assisting," said Lae Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Alan McLay.
"International ships have been called in to assist where thay can.
"We had a call from Finschhafen that 15 bodies were helicoptered into Butaweng (the hospital in Finschhafen)."

“Tree of life” creates potential for coconut based products

2012-02-02T13:20:00.002+10:00

By SOLDIERBURUKA of DAL

The coconut is truly the “tree of life” and has manyuses for millions of people around the world.

And in PNG like many Pacific Island countries, virgincoconut oil is increasingly becoming popular for the production of medicinesand cosmetics.

A college lecturer who has ventured into producingmedicinal and cosmetic coconut oil-based products says there is enormouspotential in rural PNG communities.

He has also developed products for cooking purposes.

LeonardKaptigau shows samples of his products during a visit to DAL headquarters

However, Leonard Sarikey Kaptigau, a lecturer atMadang Teachers College, and trained health nutritionist, says that people likehim needed more support in terms of funding and technical assistance from thegovernment.

The Department of Agriculture and Livestock lastyear donated an oil expeller machine worth over K9, 000 and the Madangprovincial administration has provided some funding assistance for his researchand training activities.

But he needs to go further now that the public isaware of his work and there is increasing demand for the products.

Since the donation of the machine, they haveproduced good quality virgin coconut oil.

Kaptigau, of Bari village in Madang, is asking DALand other agencies to further assist him in purchasing storage containers indifferent sizes which can be used for storage and distribution.

Different types of containers are needed to storeand to bottle the products and dispatch to various locations.

The former primary school teacher and inspector whoholds a degree in education, established RM Sarikey Bio Products which has beenproducing a range of products from coconut oil and plants including virgincoconut oil, coconut cooking oil, cocoa butter oil, cocoa butter crude cream,carrot oil, soursop oil, round cabbage oil, noni leaf oil, guava fruit oil, roundonion oil, marita oil, cucumber oil and others.

Virgin coconut oil can be used together with a widerange of plant parts that contain cosmetic and medicinal properties to effectchanges in the body by applying it externally on skin surfaces or drinking theoil.

The oil expeller machine is capable of extractingoil from any oily seed as well as production of fruit juice by squeezing thefruit parts.

It can alsoproduce 40 litres of coconut oil from 200 coconuts in one hour.

Kaptigau, who was trained in health and nutritionaleducation, sports science and medicine in Australia, said it had taken him fiveyears of study and experiments into how the purest coconut oil could be usedtogether with plant parts to help the body.

These products have already been given to the publicand there have been positive results with no side effects experienced.

There is enormous potential for mass production withmany people showing interest in the products.

But this willdepend on capital as well as facilities.

The plan is to train villagers who can produce theseproducts within their own communities and also provide opportunities for peopleto utilise their coconut, cocoa and plants for other uses.

“We are what we eat,” Kaptigau says.

“The foods we eat do not just provide us with theenergy or nutritional requirements but have healing properties to heal and stopmajor illnesses from making our physical body and mind sick.”

He is now close to formulating a coconut-based productfor HIV/AIDS sufferers.

Learning to market taro

2012-02-02T12:35:00.000+10:00

By SAMUELKEHATSIN of NARI

PRODUCING agricultural produce to meetthe requirements of markets requires special attention and those involved needto be equipped with the required skills.

This is exactly what a taro commercialisationproject in the East New Britain province is doing, ensuring taro growers under theproject are aware of the requirements involved in processing taro beforeexporting them to major local urban markets or overseas.

Participants going through steps involved infield planting

One of the newly-planted taro fields of the AIGStaro commercialisation project

The project, funded through theAgricultural Innovations Grant Scheme (AIGS) of AusAID, is conducting a seriesof training for farmer trainers to educate farmers on the importance of thevarious stages involved in processing taro to meet market demands andquarantine requirements.

One such training was conducted lastweek at the NARI Island Regional Centre at Keravat, attended by farmers and trainersfrom various local level governments in the province.

The training, facilitated by staff ofthe project, featured post-harvest techniques, selection of quality plantingmaterials, field planting techniques, chemical application and safety and storage.Demonstrations were held to show the process involved from harvesting,cleaning, grading, and packing of taro to meet export requirements.

Kiteni Kurika, a project staffer and one ofthe facilitators, said that the biggest problem was the lack of support fromother agencies to see the beneficiaries of what the association was capable ofdoing.

She added that it was a mammoth task, especiallywhen engaged in trying to export food crops like taro to overseas markets.

Kurika said her team was trying toensure quarantine issues and meeting market demand on a regular basis wasbetter understood by farmers.

Participants expressed that the trainingwas useful, saying they knew how to plant taro but to process taro to meetrequirements had been an eye opener.

Throughthis project, taro growers in province have made a first shipment of taro to thePacific Adventist University and are already selling in the supermarkets ofPort Moresby.

East New Britain Women and Youth inAgriculture Corporative Societies Association is already leading the way inagriculture in the province and is calling for more support from governmentagencies, NGOs, and the private sector in the province for them pursue thisfurther.

The association is now looking at theLNG projects and other project sites, with options of exporting to New Zealandalso being considered.

Oro duo wanted for stealing state property

2012-02-02T11:55:00.000+10:00

By JUNIOR UKAHA

POLICE in Oro are looking for two public servants who allegedly removed property belonging to the Northern Province Restoration Authority.
Provincial police commander Victor Isouve said in December last year, the pair allegedly under the cover of darkness took a container of furniture, electrical goods and other items from the NPRA compound to Oro Bay to ship to Rabaul.
He said the new chairman, Arthur Jawodimbari, got suspicious of the actions of the duo and informed police who responded by stopping the men at Oro Bay and searched the container.
Isouve said a vehicle, wokabout sawmill, tables, chairs and electrical items were in the container bound for Rabaul.
The two men, who were employees of NPRA, were questioned and released pending further investigations.
The other suspect from East New Britain fled the province while the second man was in Port Moresby to sort out school fees for his children.
Isouve said investigations into the affairs of the NPRA revealed that four to five new vehicles were bought using the organisation’s money but were never delivered to the province to help Cyclone Guba victims.
He said instead all the vehicles were kept in Port Moresby by individuals.
Isouve said police were trying to find out where all the money had gone to.
He said the El Nina period in the province had resulted in road conditions along the Kokoda Highway and other places like Oro Bay and Girua deteriorating

United in grief

2012-02-02T11:17:00.000+10:00

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill and Sir Michael Somare yesterday shook hands and stood united in grief – at the funeral of a parliamentary colleague, The National reports.
Political differences were put aside as MPs from both sides of the warring factions farewelled the late Patrick Tammur in Port Moresby.
The Kokopo MP died last week after a long battle with diabetes.
MPs paid their tribute and viewed his body at the Grand Hall of Parliament. It was followed by a memorial service at the St Joseph Church in East Boroko.
O’Neill shook hands with Sir Michael and his son, Angoram MP Arthur Somare in a “funeral reconciliation”.
O’Neill was accompanied by his deputy Belden Namah, cabinet ministers, Speaker Jeffery Nape and deputy speaker Francis Marus.
Sir Michael and Arthur arrived with Ambunti-Dreikikir MP Tony Aimo, Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet and Pomio MP Paul Tiensten.
The two factions sat side by side again at the funeral service at the St Joseph Catholic church in East Boroko.
Tammur’s body will be flown to Kokopo this morning where a traditional Tolai welcome with the Tumbuan-Dukduk ceremony is expected at the Tokua airport.
Tammur is survived by wife Salome and three children Oscar, Sophia and Theresa.
O’Neill joined Sir Michael and other leaders in paying tribute to the late MP.
“When he defeated Sir Rabbie Namaliu in the 2007 general election, he knew the challenges that lay ahead of him and the expectations of his people, were great,” O’Neill said.
“Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare recognised his pedigree and his potential and appointed him to his Cabinet in the former government.
“And the young man did not disappoint. He presided over a number of key policy changes in the information and communication technology arena, which now guide development in the industry.
“It is indeed a huge loss that this illness has cut short the life of this promising young leader.
“For his time of public service, however short, I thank his family and the people of Kokopo.
Sir Michael also conveyed his condolences to the family and the people of Kokopo.

New Madang fish market and jetty to promote local fishing industry

2012-02-01T18:44:00.001+10:00

TheGovernment of Japan has approved the preliminary survey to appraise theproposal by the National Fisheries Authority for the new Madang market andfisheries jetty project that will aim to benefit more than 80,000 people ofMadang town, the surrounding communities and other users of Madang market.

Theproposal was submitted in 2011 through the Department of National Planning andMonitoring to the Government of Japan for funding under the fisheries grantcomponent of the Japanese Overseas Development Assistance.

The outside of theMadang Fisheries Cooperatives building. -Pictures courtesy of National Fisheries Authority

The completed fishbuying and storage facility for the Madang Fisheries Cooperatives Societyfunded under the Japanese Overseas Development Grant for 2010. It was built in2010 and completed last year.

Accordingto the managing director of the National Fisheries Authority, SylvesterPokajam, the proposed project would involve the construction of the vegetablesand fish market buildings, the development of a fisheries jetty, which includesthe ice making and ice-cum-fish storage facilities, the expansion of thewaterway into the lagoon and construction of a hanging bridge, and procurement andinstallation of related equipment and materials such as the water reservoir andemergency generator to complement the market facilities.

Pokajamfurther explained that the project was part of a series of projects earmarkedfor coastal maritime provinces, similar to the new Wewak market and jetty, withthe primary objective of enhancing fisheries production at the artisanal levelfor local Papua New Guineans by strengthening fish distribution capabilities, byproviding sound and hygienic market condition for the daily market users.

Theconstruction of the fisheries jetty, ice-making and fish landing facilitieswill enhance market accessibility and promote local fishermen and coastalfisheries development in general in terms of increasing cash incomeopportunities and promoting local fishing businesses.

The development of the jetty and the expansion of thewaterway into the lagoon is not only an essential part of the market by meansof improvement of accessibility to the market but also plays an important role inthe promotion of artisanal fisheries as center of the regional fisheriesdevelopment and enhancement of the town infrastructure, physical features andbeautification. Thejetty, ice making and landing facilities once developed, will be used as acenter of artisanal fisheries development as well as a base of seatransportation for banana boats that link remote communities andthe Madang market.

The ice-making facility will provide ice forfishing use to promote the artisanal fisheries.

In this connection, an ice-making plant together with ice-cum-fishstorage, waterreservoir and emergency generator will be provided.

The cost of the preliminary proposal was more thanUS$5 million, however, once the survey and design of the project has beencompleted, the actual cost of the project will then be determined.

The Japanese technical project design team engaged bythe JICA will be in the country from 26 February 26 to April 6, 2012.

Bulk trade of fresh produce on the rise

2012-02-01T18:22:00.003+10:00

By JAMES LARAKI of NARI

PEOPLE wanderoff to markets in search of fresh produce without having to care who is sellingthem.

Selling of freshproduce, either at established or informal markets these days is fast changing.

In the past, most of the sellers at marketswere usually growers.

Selling fresh produce atthe Lae urban market. Many sellers at are believed to beretailers

Selling of sweet potato at Lae Urban Market.This produce is among many other fresh produce traded in bulk

Today, a new group, calling themselves“retailers” has become the main actors at major markets.

In the process,trading of fresh produce in bulk is becoming common; a trading system solely createdby those involved themselves, in the process creating employment to people whoact as middlemen, transport providers, and handlers.

A recent surveyat the Madang urban market revealed that most sellers there were retailers.

This could bethe same for other major markets.

Retailers here notgrowers but are city dwellers who are selling stuff they have bought in bulkfrom growers and others involved in the bulk trade.

Fresh producetraded are supplied from as far as Tambul in the Western Highlands and broughtin by mostly middlemen who have obtained them from rural growers.

Selling freshproduce in bulk is more common to fast food outlets, supermarkets, hotels and otherinstitutions, however, it is now becoming popular in markets as there arepeople willing to buy and resell them.

Many unemployedcity dwellers have now gone into full time retailing of fresh produce and theyhave expressed it is good business.

They realisedthat suppliers come from distant places and cannot sell their produce at the marketsand spend more time in town.

Accommodationand related costs are forcing suppliers to trade in bulk and return as soon asthey can.

“We are awarethat suppliers have accommodation and other related problems in town so wenegotiate with them to buy their produce in bulk. We negotiate so that bothparties are satisfied”, says Maria Norbert.

Maria, in her late 30s from Gopme village at the footof Mt Wilhelm, Chimbu, has been in the retail trade at the Madang urban marketfor some time and says it is her employment.

She makes enoughto meet the daily needs of her family as well as school fees for her threechildren.

Maria is notalone, there are at least 30 other mothers like her in the same business and allhave similar stories, unemployed and satisfied with what they are doing.

Selling freshproduce at the market is their means of survival.

Some have triedother activities but found there was not much income compared to what they getnow.

Fresh producesuch as carrots, cabbage, bulb onion, spring onion, sweet potato, Irish potato,ginger, and broccoli are among those traded in bulk.

Most of produceare supplied from the highlands; Eastern highlands and Chimbu supplying mostdue to their closeness and transport cost.

It was notedthat the retailers are familiar with the principal of supply and demand.

Prices will go up when supply is low and comedown when supply is high.

They also use suchtrends to negotiate with the suppliers, adding they would not buy any producethat is in abundance at the market at any one time as they would not make much.

Truck owners arealso beneficiaries in this trade.

They charge afee for every bag of produce, depending on the type of produce.

It also depends on distance; ferrying freshproduce from Kainantu in the Eastern Highlands is cheaper compared to Tambul inthe Western Highland province.

Thomas Niggintsfrom Tomba in the Western bought a Toyota Dyna truck in 2004 with the intentionto ferry passengers but is now involved in transporting fresh produce.

He says manypeople prefer to travel in buses nowadays and it is no use competing againstthem and has resorted to ferrying fresh produce, mainly to Lae and Madang.

On return, he ferriesbetel nut, mustard, sago and coconuts from the coast up to the Highlands. Thomassays it has now become a fulltime job for him, saying he only rests whendealers are not ready with their wares.

The tradeemployed here is something that has been created by those involved themselves.

Such activityneeds to be supported as people have indicated that such trades can helpsupport livelihoods of those involved.

Variousconstraints such as post-harvesting handling and proper storage facilities areaffecting quality of produce, denying those in this business to get a goodincome.

The efforts ofgrowers, the middlemen and retailers are an indication that people are willingto help themselves.

Agenciesresponsible will have to do what is necessary to support this group of people.

Their concernsand that of all rural growers are written on walls for everyone to see and itis only proper their concerns are considered and acted upon.

Maria and hercolleagues consider what they are doing as their permanent employment. Indicationswere that they have no plans to quit, saying ‘em wok fotnait bilong mipela, wai bai mi pela lusim’.

And for the timebeing, trading of fresh produce in bulk promises to be booming and all partiessatisfied.

But we should beasking, can it be sustained in the long run?

MP denies knowledge of K4.3 million fraud

2012-02-01T10:51:00.001+10:00

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

MEMBER for Madang Goli Buka Malai has distanced himself from the alleged misappropriation of K4.3 million at the Department of National Planning, The National reports.
Malai denied any involvement in or knowledge of the alleged swindling of funds involving an executive officer – linking him to the alleged crime.
He said the newspaper report that the executive officer to the Madang MP was involved was far from the truth.
Malai said he was cooperating with the police fraud squad and the Sweep taskcforce to clear his name.
Malai said this after the Sweep team arrested and charged Zebedee Jabri Kalup with six counts of misappropriation and false pretence.
“I do not know what really happened but I believe the executive officer used me to write funding proposals which I signed thinking the money was for the people of Madang,” he said.
“He has been using me to get money that went into his private account and not for the benefit of the people of Madang.”
Malai assured his family and the people of Madang that he had not personally received or benefited in any way from the alleged funding.
“I want to clear my name against any doubts in the minds of my people of Madang.
“I am now cooperating with police to clear my name.”
Malai said it all started when businessman Peter Yama was challenging Madang regional MP Sir Arnold Amet in the Courts of Disputed Returns following the 2007 general election.
He said at that time, he was acting governor when Kalup was executive officer to the office of the governor.
“The money, I assume, is from the Public Investment Programme (PIP) earmarked for specific project assistance in the districts.”

Government allocates K10 million for landslide victims

2012-02-01T10:44:00.002+10:00

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

THE government has set aside K10 million to provide relief assistance for those affected by the massive landslide in Souther Highlands province, The National reports.
The funds will be immediately released into the care of the Esso Highlands and the national disaster and emergency services.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the developer and the national disaster and emergency services were on the ground trying to recover the bodies of those buried under the dirt caused by the landslide.
The money will also assist families affected by the disaster.
O’Neill said the K10 million would be used as seen fit by authorities on the ground.
“It is a major disaster which called for a major government intervention,” he said.
He said issues relating to addressing the disaster in the area would be taken care of by the funding.
The landslide at Tumbi village near Nogoli, in Hides last week claimed 25 lives in one of the worst disaster to hit the province. It is believed some bodies were still buried under the rubble.
O’Neill flew into the area the day after the disaster to offer his condolence to relatives who lost their loved ones.
Cabinet also approved a further K25 million towards the rehabilitation of infrastructure caused by heavy rain around the country – including the maintenance of the Angabanga bridge in Central province.
The Angabanga bridge is a vital link connecting parts of Kairiku-Hiri and Gulf province to Port Moresby.
“The people of Gulf and parts of Central are being denied access into the city because of structural damage to the bridge caused by flooding of the Angabanga river.”
O’Neill said rain would continue over the next few months and many parts of the country will be inundated with flooding.
“The K25 million is to reconstruct roads and bridges that have been damaged or washed away by the heavy rain,” he said

Yaura Sasa posts bail

2012-02-01T10:37:00.003+10:00

By ANGELINE KARIUS

BOTCHED mutiny leader Yaura Sasa has been released from remand custody on a K2,500 bail, The National reports.
Sasa, a retrenched PNG Defence Force officer, was charged with inciting mutiny and locked up at the Bomana jail last Sunday.
He and his band of about 30 renegade soldiers raided Murray Barracks headquarters last Thursday and placed commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi under house arrest.
He claimed he was the commander, appointed by the Somare-led government on Jan 24.
Lawyer Tony Waisi filed two ex-parte applications on Monday night in the National Court – a bail application for Sasa and a court order to retrain police from arresting Somare-appointed defence minister Andrew Kumbakor and Major Silas Auro of the PNG Defence Force.
Justice George Manuhu granted the applications.
The court ordered that retired army officer Philip Plaiah, Gabriel Ramoi and Kumbakor be guarantors pledging K2,500 as cash surety and to ensure Sasa complied with bail conditions.
It means Sasa is prohibited from interfering with state witnesses, leaving NCD without the permission of the court and reporting to the National Court registry every Wednesday between 9am and 3pm.
The court also restrained authorities from arresting, harassing, intimidating, approaching, hindering, or interfering with Kumbakor and Auro, their servants and agents, subordinate and commanders from performing their duties and functions as defence personnel.
It also ordered the police not to conduct further criminal investigations, pressing further charges and prosecuting Sasa.
Kumbakor’s hearing is returnable on Friday while Sasa’s committal will be heard on Feb 29

‘Arrest us’

2012-02-01T10:32:00.006+10:00

SIR Michael Somare and his politician son Arthur Somare have offered themselves to be arrested – if police have any criminal evidence against them, The National reports.
Both father and son, caught in a seemingly immoveable political tug-of-war with Peter O’Neill over which side has legitimate government, made the offer following rumours that both were being implicated in the failed military mutiny last week.
Other MPs in their camp were also being sought by police to explain their roles in last Thursday’s short-lived attempt by a retrenched colonel and a group of renegade soldiers to take over the command of the PNG Defence Force.
Sir Michael, who claims his legitimacy from the Dec 12 Supreme Court decision, called on the O’Neill-led regime to “drop the charade and uphold the Constitution” – or make arrests if police held evidence of a criminal nature against them.
Arthur Somare fronted up at the police headquarters in Konedobu yesterday morning and waited a full hour to see Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga to offer himself for questioning and possible arrest.
In response, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said there was a normal police investigation under way to identify collaborators in the botched take-over attempt.
O’Neill claimed his legitimacy to government was from having been elected unchallenged by parliament after the Supreme Court decision.
He enjoys a three-quarter majority support of MPs in parliament and the avowed support of the public service heads including the police and defense forces.
Said O’Neill in a statement: “The crime (what happened at Murray Barracks) is serious in nature and police will get to the bottom of it. If there is evidence that Sir Michael Somare, or Arthur Somare, or Andrew Kumbakor was involved, they will be subjected to the full force of the law.
“Let me reiterate here that no one is above the law. The rule of law applies to everyone, regardless of your status in society.
“It is utter nonsense for Somare to suggest that myself, or Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah is pushing and intimidating police to arrest him. We respect the police and the work they do.
“Unlike Somare and his camp, we do not intimidate, interfere with, or lure members of the disciplined forces to go outside their line of duty, or break the law.”
But Sir Michael said in his statement: “I am prepared to go to jail for what I know is the right thing to do for this country. This reign of terror and hunt for members of parliament by the regime must stop immediately.
“If the pressure is still on for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to go ahead with these arrests, I call on O’Neill and Namah to do it themselves. Come to my residence and hand me the arrest warrant.”
Sir Michael wanted to know if the police were taking orders from their commissioner or from O’Neill and Namah.
“It would be in the public’s interest to know if O’Neill’s purported Police Minister John Boito, or his deputy Belden Namah is pressuring police to carry out illegal arrests,’’ he said.
“People of Papua New Guinea should not be frightened into submission by rogue members of parliament who do not know the meaning of democracy or the processes of governance. This scare-mongering has gone on for far too long.
“I have taken enough insult from an insolent character and first time Member of Parliament - Belden Namah.
“Papua New Guinea can see the true nature of Belden Namah so I only need to say that for many people his behavior is both an embarrassment and frightful.
“Belden Namah wants to be the dictator of Papua New Guinea and Peter O’Neill is helping him. O’Neill cannot distance himself by remaining silent.”

Alexander Downer: PNG's woes matter to us

2012-01-31T13:22:00.000+10:00

By ALEXANDER DOWNER

I was in New York to brief the United Nations Security Council last week when I saw the ugly scenes from Canberra of our Prime Minister and Opposition Leader being bundled out of a restaurant by security officers protecting them from protesters. This incident made news right around the world. It was embarrassing. All day people were asking me what was going on in Australia.
Imagine my horror when I subsequently discovered that there was a political motive behind the protest: To try to humiliate Tony Abbott! Talk about an own goal! A Labor staffer had to resign and the protesters were seen to be party to a political stunt. But, as I said to my interlocutors, this was just a passing incident which will be well forgotten in a few months.
Just to the north of Australia, something much more serious has been going on. For the last few months, Papua New Guinea has been engulfed by a political and constitutional crisis.
The country has, in effect, had two prime ministers and two governors general. As you can imagine, that's a very untidy situation.
All this goes back to March last year when Papua New Guinea's long-serving prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, had heart surgery in Singapore. In June, his family announced that Somare had retired. However, there was legal uncertainty about how to replace him, uncertainty the parliament tried to resolve by electing the Finance Minister, Peter O'Neill, as Prime Minister in August.
In the meantime, Somare recovered and returned to PNG claiming he was legally still PM. He went to court and in early December the Supreme Court ruled he indeed was. So the Parliament immediately passed retrospective legislation to overturn the Supreme Court decision. But despite the Parliament overwhelmingly supporting O'Neill, the Governor General swore Somare in as Prime Minister.
The Parliament then sacked the Governor General and appointed the Speaker in his place, and he then rescinded Somare's commission and swore in O'Neill as PM.
This seemed to be pretty much the end of it all until last week when a colonel walked into the office of the chief of the defence force and announced he was taking over the army and would restore Somare as prime minister. This horrifying action was quickly overcome as most of the army supported O'Neill.
I think I've got all that right. And it's a test of you to remember all that detail. You don't need to, of course; you just need to get a sense of what's been going on in the nearest country to Australia. When John Howard was Prime Minister of Australia he used to say that his greatest foreign policy worry was that PNG would descend into political chaos. After all, its neighbour the Solomon Islands did, Vanuatu has come perilously close at times and Fiji is run by a dictator who came to power through a coup.
Although I have known Sir Michael Somare for years, my more intense dealings with him started after he was re-elected prime minister in 2002.
In the wake of our intervention in the Solomon Islands in 2003, Howard and I decided we needed to make sure PNG didn't go down the same path as the Solomons. I told Sir Michael we wanted to help improve his police force and public service. There was too much corruption and the police were becoming dysfunctional.
Our proposed new assistance scheme was called the Enhanced Co-operation Program. Let it be recorded Somare resisted this new intervention. He thought it neo-colonial. I told him we were spending $300 million of taxpayers' money a year in PNG and we weren't getting good value for money.
We were worried about where the country was heading. If we couldn't get better value for money by implementing the EPG we would have to wind back our aid substantially.
He caved in. But he never forgave me and was overjoyed when the Howard government was defeated in 2007. Kevin Rudd, he figured, would have to be better for him than Howard and Downer.
Sad to say, but you learn early in life that doing the right thing doesn't always make you popular.
Since late 2007, PNG hasn't featured much in Australian foreign policy. Sure, Australia has set up a committee to get rid of nuclear weapons (it didn't work) and sent aid to help the Arab spring. But we've lost focus on our own neighbourhood and now the most populous country in the Pacific has hit severe political turbulence. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing Australia can do to resolve the current crisis in PNG.
My guess is it will sort itself out and Somare will permanently retire. And so he should. He's been in politics for way too long. He doesn't have anything left to contribute.
But the recent political turbulence in PNG should be a sharp wake-up call in Canberra. We should have seen it coming and helped PNG avoid the crisis which has rocked it to its foundations.
PNG's stability is important to Australia. What is more, the world expects Australia to look after its own neighbourhood. When I became the shadow minister for foreign affairs in early 1995, I made a trip to PNG, including to Bougainville. I'm glad I did.
As minister, it was a country which was at the centre of much of my work. We helped end the Bougainville crisis, we contributed to rebuilding PNG's economy, we fought HIV/Aids there and so the list goes on.
But one thing always struck me. The Australian media and even much of the public had, and still have, very little interest in PNG and the Pacific. That's a pity.
So here's a real message here for Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd: Look to our immediate neighbourhood, don't just focus on the glamour issues on the other side of the world.

* Alexander Downer was Foreign Affairs Minister in the Howard Government from 1996 to 2007.

Arthur Somare wanted by police

2012-01-31T12:39:00.000+10:00

Rumours that Arthur Somare has been arrested with all the action taking place at police headquarters now.
Trying to get more information from my contacts.
Timothy Bonga and Andrew Kumbakor claimed on the midday NBC news that they had been harassed by police since their press conference on Sunday.
My understanding is that Arthur, his Grand Chief father, Bonga, Kumbakor and John Pundari are on the wanted list for allegedly stirring up last Thursday's mutiny.
Police on NBC midday news have denied any knowledge of such threats and intimidation.
They, however, say investigations into last Thursday's incident at Murray Barracks are continuing and if need be, will include any politicians involved.

Graham Osborne hearing set for Feb 9

2012-01-31T11:18:00.002+10:00

THE substantive hearing on the deportation case of Graham Leslie Osborne currently challenged in the National Court will be heard next Thursday, The National reports.
Judge George Manuhu presiding over the case yesterday ruled that the substantive and interim court order hearing be adjourned to Feb 9.
Counsel to Osborne, John Gawi, in absence of state lawyer Tiffany Twivey (believed to be overseas) sought instructions to make the adjournment.
The immigration officials have yet to explain why a National Court order was never complied with when Osborne had tried to re-enter PNG on Jan 16.
Instead officers at the Port Moresby Jackson International airport refused entry by the deported New Zealander upon arrival on a flight from Brisbane via Air Niugini on January 16.
Despite the court order being served twice on January 13 and 16 respectively to acting chief of immigration Joseph Nobetau prior to Osborne’s arrival.
Osborne who runs a restaurant in Port Moresby was deported last month, after his entry permit was cancelled by acting Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham over allegations he meddled in local politics.

Two heads at Customs confuse staff

2012-01-31T11:06:00.001+10:00

By JUNIOR UKAHA
EMPLOYEES of the Customs Service are confused over the existence of two commissioners in the organisation since Oct 27 last year, The National reports.
The confusion stemmed from a National Gazette (No.G381), purportedly issued by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio on Dec 29, recognising a Ray Paul as the acting commissioner of Customs ahead of caretaker commissioner John Pomoso.
The gazette, a copy of which was obtained by The National, stated that Paul was appointed on Oct 27 last year and would act in the position for three months until a substantive appointment was made.
Sources said the appointment superseded Pomoso who was verbally appointed to the office by the National Executive Council on the recommendation of former commissioner Gary Juffa.
The sources said any transactions, agreements and decisions entered into by Pomoso on behalf of Customs “are technically not binding”.
Pomoso acknowledged receiving a copy of the gazette and said the same notice would have revoked his acting appointment.
He said there was only one commissioner (acting) in Customs.
“Customs operations are not affected in any way, and work continues as normal.
“Customs staff have only reacted to the Gazette notice because it states that the acting appointment of Paul is for three months which lapsed last Friday and they are asking who is head of Customs if this is so,” he said.
“I think that is the only part that needs to be clarified and appropriately resolved for Customs, whether Paul can still act in the position after the three-month period lapsed,” he said.
But one senior source said the copy of the gazette on the appointment of Paul was never shown to them until last Friday, a day after Paul’s appointment had lapsed.
A circular released by Paul last Friday, with the Gazette, said in part: “I am deeply humbled to inform all executives, senior managers and staff of Customs that following recommendations by the minister of Public Service, the governor-general has confirmed my acting appointment to the position of the commissioner of Customs.
“Subsequent to this, John Pomoso is, as of 07.45 hours on Jan 27, 2012, now relieved from his recent responsibilities as caretaker commissioner of Customs,” the circular read.
Sources said the Gazette may be flawed because it was supposed to be effected by Ano Pala, who was acting GG between Dec 21 last year and Jan 19.
They said there was confusion among staff and urged the prime minister and NEC to act quickly to rectify the situation.

Man arrested over K4.3million

2012-01-31T10:57:00.003+10:00

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
THE executive officer to the Madang MP Buka Malai has been arrested and detained for allegedly swindling K4.25 million from the National Planning office, The National reports.
Detectives who are part of the Task Force Sweep team in Madang said Zebedee Jabri Kalup, from Siar village, had been charged with six counts of misappropriation and false pretence.
The charges stem from the misappropriation of K2.5m which was paid to his private business account, Zenalis Waterfalls Ltd.
It was revealed that the money was for the rehabilitation of the Sitepra Cocoa Estate, in the Kamba area of North Ambenob.
Block holders of Muruan Cocoa Produce and Marketing fronted up at the town police station last Friday to express their disappointment over the manner in which Kalup duped them on several occasions by telling them that the money had “yet to come”.
Kalup had received the money in March last year, a month before having a meeting with the selected block holders who went to his house in Siar.
Village recorder and spokesman for the group, Jack Murphy said they had been conned into clearing bush and left forever waiting for the promised help and funding that “never eventuated”.
In addition, Kalup was charged with misusing K1 million funding, cheque dated March 2, 2011.
The money was paid into Zenalis for an unidentified agriculture project for the district.
And another final payment of K750,000 was paid to his company account two months later for Sea Freight Boat Building maintenance.
Inspections and site visits by the Sweep team uncovered many irregularities.
Zenalis is a company that does not have a properly established office but has business interests in Alotau, where one of his wives is from.
In a separate matter, Kalup is being investigated for the misuse of K700,000 which was supposed to be paid to the Madang District Treasury office for the rehabilitation of the Madang Cocoa and Coconut rehab project. The money was paid out in 2008 and 2009.
He is charged with misuse and obtaining money under false pretence in another separate matter for K500,000.00 from National Planning. That case is before the Waigani committal court.
Sweep team director, Anthony Gitua commended his men for a job well done

Dame Carol Kidu is a breath of fresh air

2012-01-31T10:48:00.002+10:00

By REG RENAGI

I predict that by next month, we will have a new Parliamentary Opposition Leader in the only woman MP we have in parliament, Dame Carol Kidu.
This is her statement on the last 72 hours of recent events in Port Moresby: "That's the problem of being the only woman in PNG politics - you can't compete with the big boys and their guns."
Last Saturday, Dame Carol, a long-time loyal Somare minister, disassociated herself from the Somare side, declaring herself horrified at its support of the mutiny.
Well done Dame! I have the greatest of respect fpor you at the very point in time.
A very good move now in light of what is happening in PNG politics!
Please take charge of our Opposition in Parliament. The people will support you at this juncture because you will no doubt bring back some semblance or good order and disciplined governance in Parliament (and the government) before PNG goes to the national general elections by mid-year.

Contractors help in recovering bodies

2012-01-31T10:42:00.005+10:00

LNG operators and contractors are assisting the SHP provincial disaster office and the national disaster and emergency services in Port Moresby with rescue and resettlement activities, The National reports.
It follows the massive landside near the Hides gas fields last week.
The Hides Gas Development Corporation last Friday donated 48 buckets with water purifiers, extra large tarpaulins, windup torches, medical supplies and food rations.
The company is expected to beef up its assistance once they received a full report from the SHP provincial disaster and the NDES.
The companies are also awaiting the disaster team to advise on the next step.
The provincial disaster team is headed by Martin Pat and includes the provincial police commander Supt John Anawe, NDES Officers Andrew Oaege and Elizabeth Michaels of the Department of Mineral Policy and Geo-hazard Management.
A disaster report has been submitted to the NEC but the mutiny case stopped the NEC from deliberating on the report last week.

Dame Carol is lone opposition member

2012-01-31T10:38:00.004+10:00

By SHIRLYN BELDEN

DAME Carol Kidu has disassociated herself from the Somare camp and offered to take up the position of opposition leader in parliament, The National reports.
Dame Carol, the member for Moresby South and only female parliamentarian, requested in a letter to deputy speaker Francis Marus and clerk Don Pandan that she be allocated a seat in the opposition benches and assume the opposition leadership up to the next parliament sitting on Feb 14.
The Jan 27 letter was addressed to Speaker Jeffery Nape who has yet to reply.
She assumed herself leader of the opposition as she was the only MP in the Somare camp who had attended parliament since the start of the political impasse in August last year.
“I have become increasingly concerned about the vacuum in the opposition that has resulted from the timeframe necessary for court deliberations on various references and applications made to the judiciary by both factions.”
Dame Carol said as a parliamentarian and coalition partner, she was taking up the role of presenting the other voice – “something from the Opposition to get bipartisan views on matters debated on the floor of parliament”.
She would stay away from both factions in regards meetings or
coalitions to back the military intervention in politics.
“I have disassociated myself from the Somare faction – because of my discomfort about the press statements made regarding the recent military interventions into the political scenario,” she told reporters yesterday at Parliament House.
While she is a strong supporter of Sir Michael Somare, Dame Carol said she was not part of any cabinet meeting (in the Somare faction) that endorsed the military mutiny – if media reports on that were true.
“If these media statements are correct, I wish to make it clear that I was not present in any such meetings and I disassociate myself from active participation of both factions in the on-going political impasse,” she said

Somare files contempt proceedings

2012-01-31T10:34:00.005+10:00

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

SIR Michael Somare’s faction has filed contempt proceedings in the Supreme Court against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his Cabinet members, among others, The National reports.
Also named as respondents are Speaker Jeffery Nape, his deputy Francis Marus and deputy PM Belden Namah.
They have been accused of failing to implement Supreme Court orders issued last Dec 12 to restore Sir Michael as PM.
The application named 35 respondents including chief secretary Manasupe Zurenuoc and lawyer Tiffany Twivey. The application would be served to the lawyers of the respective respondents by this week.
In response, O’Neill, in a statement last night, said his government would mount a vigorous defence in court.
“The actions of Sir Michael and his members of parliament were those of a desperate group trying to cling onto power,” he said.
“We will vigorously defend this contempt application and have it disposed of in due course.
“These are acts of desperate people who have failed to turn up in parliament to deal with the issue but choose to remain outside of parliament to wrestle government by creating instability in the institutions of state.”
In a media conference yesterday, Sir Michael and suspended Angoram MP Arthur Somare said their group remained the legitimate government.
Sir Michael said the warrants would be issued to each and every one of the respondents and he expected the matter to be heard by the Supreme Court this week.
“We will be asking the court to ask them to show cause why they should not be detained until the final matter is heard,” he said.
O’Neill, with a majority support from parliament, became prime minister last August when Sir Michael was undergoing medical treatment in Singapore.
However, the East Sepik provincial government went to the Supreme Court which ruled on Dec 12 that Sir Michael was not lawfully removed; that the speaker’s decision of Sept 6 to declare Sir Michael had lost his seat was unconstitutional and ordered that Sir Michael be restored to office as prime minister.
Sir Michael said preventing the implementation of the Supreme Court’s findings “is blatant defiance of the Supreme Court decision, hence is in contempt”.
“These contempt proceedings seek to uphold the integrity of the Supreme Court and respect by the executive and legislature for the judiciary in maintaining the rule of law by upholding our Constitution.”
O’Neill said the issues facing the nation today were not about personalities but about maintaining democracy.
“The national parliament is where every government since Independence has been elected, and defeated.
“Under our system of government, the government changes when parliament changes the prime minister.”
O’Neill said parliament has moved on since the decision of the Supreme Court in making appropriate legislative changes and decisions, one of which was to reaffirm his election as prime minister.
“What we are witnessing now is a desperate attempt by the Somare family to trample on proper and legal processes to get into government.”
The Somare group should now concentrate on the general election which is only two months away to seek the mandate of the people to govern the country, he added.

Army wives complain about rundown barracks

2012-01-31T10:30:00.002+10:00

By JEFFREY ELAPA

A GROUP of soldiers’ wives have asked the government to address problems at the barracks where they are staying, The National reports.
The soldiers and their families live at the Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby. In a petition, the wives claimed that there were many pressing issues which had never been dealt with by the government or the defence force.
The wives said there was a big housing problem at Taurama and other military camps.
Many families were illegally residing in the single quarters at the barracks while others were living in settlements with relatives.
On top of that, many of the colonial homes have never been renovated and were rotting away. Leaking roofs were common.
The barracks also face water supply problems with many families complaining of inadequate supply to their homes. It poses a health risk to the families.
The wives said the continuous abuse of power by a senior officer had been finally put to rest with the appointment of the new commanding officer.
To add to the congestion, families of retired officers remain in the barracks awaiting their final entitlements.
Some widows who claimed to have been underpaid remain there.
The wives pointed out that these internal military issues the soldiers faced led to frustration – with some husbands and fathers forced to join the failed mutiny.
The families want the government to deal with the problems at Taurama – and other military camps – urgently

Sir Michael stands by mutiny leader

2012-01-31T10:25:00.001+10:00

THE Somare camp will stand firm behind the appointment of Col Yaura Sasa as the commander of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, The National reports.
Defence minister in the (Sir Michael) Somare camp Andrew Kumbakor said: “We should not be quick to accept that mutiny took place last week at Murray Barracks. There is a lot at stake here and I know that we are a tribal people that have always had an instinct for danger. We also have an innate sense of what is right and wrong.
“Papua New Guinea knows Michael Somare from the beginning. What we do not know is where Peter O’Neill, Belden Namah or many of the people in the regime came from.
“Knowing who we have been dealing with, it is deplorable to suggest that the Somare government would stage a coup or be responsible for mutiny in the army. Somare is the architect of many of the institutions that are set up today in our country.
“Last year he submitted to the Ombudsman Commission and went before a tribunal.
“In his 43 years of politics he has never manoeuvered outside of the law to retain control of power in this country.”
Kumbakor maintains that the Somare government is the legitimate PNG government.
“We gave Sir Michael the mandate to be prime minister in 2002 and again in 2007. The Supreme Court upheld this fact on Dec 12 and rendered O’Neill’s reign as illegitimate.”
Kumbakor said the Somare government was responsible for the stability, growth and prosperity which PNG enjoyed during the past nine years.
“Through this period of stability we have been able to encourage growth in industry, meaning more people are employed and can afford basic services,” he said.
“Let’s not be hoodwinked by a fly-by-night regime that purports to solve PNG’s problems in a matter of months. We, the Somare government, built the basis upon which the O’Neill regime is able to throw around and squander money just before the election.
“I call on members of the disciplined forces to exercise restraint at all times and to ensure public safety is not compromised.
“Upholding the constitution and the law is the only way that PNG will avert a crisis."

Mutineers surrender

2012-01-31T10:19:00.000+10:00

By JEFFREY ELAPA

SOLDIERS involved in a short-lived mutiny last Thursday have surrendered their weapons to Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah, The National reports.
In return, Namah yesterday made a submission to the government which granted full amnesty to the soldiers who were led by retired colonel Yaura Sasa.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said in a statement last night amnesty was granted to the serving Defence Force soldiers after a meeting of the National Executive Council.
“These are young men determined to serve their country in the military when they enlisted in the PNG Defence Force,” O’Neill said.
“They were, however, misled, used and led astray by desperate politicians and their masters and cronies.
“The soldiers were used by these self-serving individuals to achieve a political outcome.”
“As a responsible government, we will give them a second chance,” O’Neill said.
“We are giving these young men the opportunity to get back on the path to fulfilling their goals and ambitions in the force.”
The NEC also directed Police Commissioner Toami Kulunga and other relevant authorities to investigate and deal with all civilians and members of other civil authorities involved in inciting and participating in the mutiny.
Sasa, who had been charged with inciting mutiny, remained in custody at the Bomana prison and was scheduled to re-appear in court on Feb 29.
A former military attaché, Sasa, 60, was appointed commander off the PNG Defence Force by Sir Michael Somare, who was ousted by a parliamentary vote last August but maintained he is the legitimate prime minister after he won a Supreme Court case last December.
Sasa and his group of more than 40 armed soldiers made their move in Port Moresby last Thursday, placing the commanding officer of Taurama barracks, Francis Kari, under house arrest. They then drove to the defence headquarters at Murray barracks where they also placed incumbent PNGDF Commander Brig- Gen Francis Agwi and other top military officers under house arrest.
The mutiny folded when senior officers around the country rejected Sasa.
Yesterday, the remnants of Sasa’s men, holed up at Taurama barracks since last Thursday, gave up their arms to Namah and Agwi.
Namah met with top military officials before attending a special parade at the Taurama barracks yesterday morning.
He was accompanied by Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma, Community Development Minister Andrew Mald, National Planning Minister Sam Basil, Gulf Governor Havila Kavo, Inter-Government Relations Minister Mark Maipakai, Health Minister Jamie Maxtone-Graham, Gazelle MP Malakai Tabar and Bougainville Affairs Minister Steven Kamma.
Namah told the soldiers, who surrendered 44 guns and ammunition, he would present the instruments of amnesty to cabinet and assured them they would be signed by the governor-general by the end of the day.
“I don’t just say, I do,” he told the estimated 200 soldiers who had gathered on the parade ground.
“I have directed my lawyers to prepare
the instruments and I will bring them
to cabinet today.
“There is only one government in Papua New Guinea – the O’Neill-Namah government.”
Namah also called on the soldiers to put their country first in their duties.
The soldiers pledged their support and loyalty to the O’Neill-Namah Government and to uphold the Constitution.
They also pledged not to recognise any person who claimed to be the legitimate government apart from the O’Neill-Namah government.
Namah said the handover of the weapons demonstrated that peace and normalcy was now restored within the PNGDF.
During the parade, Agwi declared Maj Freddy Aile as lieutenant colonel. He will replace Kari as commanding officer of Taurama barracks.
Police were seeking legal advice over laying more charges against Sasa for false imprisonment and deprivation of liberty.
The penalties for inciting mutiny are severe and, if found guilty, Sasa could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Lawyer Tiffaney Twivey charged with contempt

2012-01-30T19:17:00.001+10:00

Lawyer Tiffaney Twivey has just been charged with contempt today apparentlyalong with the entire O'Neill/Namah National Executive Council because she gave advice on the amendments to the Prime Minister andNEC Act.

"They say it was-sub judice," she said tonight.

"This is complete rubbish - the amendmentscovered completely different issues than the court case.

"It is an act ofdesperation - and not to hide what you think."

Twivey added: "My firm - in documents signed by me - filed contemptdocuments last Tuesday, January 24, charging Arthur Somare and Peter Ipatas forcontempt for offering a bribe of K200,000 to Police Commissioner's lawyer AliceKimbu in return for her signing interim consent orders which would allow Fred Yakasato be Police Commissioner until the substantive case is heard.

"She refused andinformed the State.

"I filed the documents on behalf of the State andParliament.

" David Dotaona (Yakasa's lawyer) and Yakasa were arrested by the policeover this and charged with 'attempting to pervert the course ofjustice'.

"My clients have charged Somare and Ipatas with civil contempt.

"I am in Australia, returning tomorrow."

O'Neill/Namah government thanked for help to jails

2012-01-30T19:05:00.000+10:00

TheO’Neill /Namah government has been thanked for allocating a total of K97.4 millionunder the 2012 budget appropriations covering both the re-current anddevelopment components of budget to the Correctional Services Department, K9.6mfor the 2012 election component and K5m for jail maintenance in thesecond 2011 Supplementary budget.

First secretary to the Minister for Correctional Services (CS) Smith Sagaoexpressed this recently on behalf of Minister Sailon Beseo in Goroka during a ceremony to mark the completion of five renovated CIS houses at the BihuteJail.

Sagao said the department would be using the K9.6m election component of thebudget to participate in the 2012 national elections in which 400 servicemenand women were required to be engaged in election duties.

Thedepartment will also utilise the 2012 budget effectively to implement therecommendations of the three independent reports by Price Water House Coopers,the National Security Advisory Council and the International Red Cross andCrescent Movement, respectively highlighting CIS reform, security andhumanitarian issues.

The recommendations from these will be implemented throughthe newly-established Transitional Management Committee to reform CS and make thebudget work.

“Effective service delivery is thefocus of the O’Neill/Namah Government, and like all organisations, CIS has itsown success and failures, however the new Minister is looking at improvingservice delivery within the department’s rank and file,” Sagao said.

He said Beseo’s first move tobring reform into CS was the endorsement and appointment by the NationalExecutive Council of the new CIS acting Commissioner Martin Balthazar.

“Balthazar and his team weretasked apart from implementing the recommendations of the three independentreports, to work on amending the existing CIS Act to include payment ofpensions to retired CIS officers, setting up of the Prison Industries Authorityas a business arm of CS and rebuild/re-construct physical facilities of thejails,” Sagao said.

He further thanked the O’Neill/Namah government for making available K4.6 million to cater for the CS officers'7.6% salary increment late last year.

The occasion was witnessed by theCIS acting Commissioner Balthazar, contractor Kavare and jailcommanders from the highlands region and Lae's Buimo jail.

Fives new houses for jail staff in Goroka

2012-01-30T18:49:00.001+10:00

Correctional Service officers and jail commanders around the country were urged to focus on their primary role oflooking after prisoners rather than involving in other activities outside theirline of duties and abusing properties and their privileges.

Acting Correctional Service Commissioner, Martin Balthazar expressed these during a mini ceremony to mark thecompletion of five officer’s houses at Goroka’s Bihute Jail last Friday.

From right are CSMinister’s first secretary Smith Sagao, CS Acting Commissioner MartinBalthazer, managing director of Noru Supplies Patrick Kavare and CS executive officer to the office of the Commissioner, Superintendent DavidMelange and the Bihute Jail Commander Superintendent Simon Laken inspecting oneof the renovated houses

He said unlike other governmentdepartments, the CIS staff have been enjoying free housing, transport, electricity,and water at the Commissioner’s discretion and these can be abolished if staff were seen to be abusing them.

“On top of these existing privileges,the O’Neill / Namah government is giving salary increment, free education, freemedical service, no tax for workers receiving K10,000 per annum and below, and Ido not see any reasons why officer should not look after prisoners,” Balthazer said.

His comments follows the escape of22 prisoners from the Bihute jail last Monday, of whom 19 were remandees awaiting trial.

He said the breakout was allegedlycaused as all attention was focused on the death of a female officer and alsothe delay in announcing the promotion of officers.

Balthazar said the reasons wereunacceptable as security for the prisoners should be the paramount importance andconcern of the officers and promotions was not a big issue as it was an ongoing administrativeprocess and also that they were already enjoying more privileges.

He warned officers that they wouldpay a fine of K200 for minor offences and K1,000 or face dismissal forcommitting major offences.

“Any appeals will have to go to theNational Court as Parliament has dismissed the CS Appeals Tribunal in October2011,” Balthazar said.

Commencement of New Ireland province community projects

2012-01-30T18:28:00.002+10:00

Newcrest Mining Ltd and the New Ireland provincial government haveannounced the commencement of three key projects in New Ireland to improvecommunity health, education facilities and infrastructure.

The three highimpact projects in New Ireland are to be funded by Newcrest Mining Ltd inpartnership with the Governor of New Ireland Province, Sir Julius Chan.

New Ireland Governor sir Julius Chan (left) and Newcrest country manager Peter Aitsi at Palie

Newcrest Miningcountry manager, Peter Aitsi, said the three agreed projects were the first offive to be funded by Newcrest.

“As a gesture of‘goodwill’ to the people of New Ireland, Newcrest is making available K2million to fund high value impact projects which align with the New IrelandProvincial Government priority areas,” Aitsi said.

“The funding for theseprojects is above and beyond the requirements within existing agreements, demonstratingNewcrest’s desire to engage in effective partnerships with its keystakeholders.”

The three projectsare:

1. Funding for an additional doctor under the Australian DoctorsInternational Memorandum of Agreement with the New Ireland ProvincialGovernment (NIPG). This funding amountsto AUD$70,000 each year for three years or approximately K163, 000 per year, orK490,000 over the three years.

2. Providing concrete surfacing over the Namatanai (Moronai)Bridge and associated embankment work. Project budget K400,000.

3. Connecting and commissioning an existing generator and undertakingreticulation of the power system to Namatanai High School. Project budgetK300,000.

It was also agreed thatNewcrest Mining Ltd technical staff would work with the Public Works NewIreland to fully assess the scope for the Namatanai Bridge and Namatanai HighSchool projects as well as to reconfirm the budgets to complete the projects tothe required specifications. Sir Julius met with Aitsi last week after the adjournmentof Parliament. Their discussions led to thefirst three projects being signed off. During the meeting Aitsi reaffirmedNewcrest’s commitment to building a long and productive relationship with the NIPG.

Sir Julius in supportingthe partnership said “These projects indicate a new desire for a more co-operativeplatform between Newcrest and the New Ireland Provincial Government.

“The projects will positivelyimpact the lives of the People of New Ireland Province and signal a renewal ofthe economic and commercial life of the Province”.

Newcrest operates the LihirGold Mine in the New Ireland province.

“Getting agreement tocommence three of the five projects is excellent news”, Aitsi said.

“Newcrest and NIPG through these projects willtarget important areas such as health, education and infrastructure.

“This joint effort willsee the conversion of our efforts into projects with meaningful impact.”

The remaining two projectswill target the key area of health and are expected to be finalised soon.

Pardoned mutineers a dangerous precedent

2012-01-30T14:04:00.004+10:00

By REG RENAGI

The military I joined before independence was a professional outfit .
After 1975, general discipline in the PNG Defence Force was very tough.

Every servicemen knew the military regulations and what the overall consequences for serious breaches of service discipline - such as being involved in a military mutiny was.

Not today!

News has just reached the streets that by this afternoon we will soon know of some rogue soldier's demand for a pardon, as a result of last weeks' mutunity.

It seems certain now that the authorities will most likely give the soldiers who breached serious regulations of the PNGDF what they are demanding for.

If the soldiers involved in last weeks' mutuny are going to be pardened by this afternoon, then both the government and the defence hierachy will have then all compromised themselves.

This unprecedented decision alone will also greatly undermined the PNGDF command position and its future efforts to strengthen general discipline within all defence communities.

The bottom-line is: it is now open-slatter for anyone in the PNGDF (and the Royal PNG Constabulary) to be rebelious, disobey superior orders and take the law into their own hands...knowing they will always be pardoned by their own government?

A dangerous precedent has now been set by the powers-that-be!

Mutineers to be pardoned

2012-01-30T13:13:00.001+10:00

Just got news from my military contacts that PNG Defence Force soldiers who took part in the mutiny are granted amnesty and pardon.
Documents regarding this will be signed at 2pm today.
All arms have been handed in.
"Once it is signed everythng is put to rest once and for all," my source says.
"No arrest,no court case as assured by deputy prime minister and prime minister."

Amet says Somare faction will not support early elections

2012-01-30T12:48:00.002+10:00

Sir Michael Somare's "Attorney General" Sir Arnold Amet says the Somare faction is unlikely to attend Parliament and vote for early elections, NBC news reports on its 12pm bulletin.

O'Neill seeks court order restraining army from making appointments

2012-01-30T12:28:00.002+10:00

The Peter O'Neill faction is seeking a court order restraining the PNG Defence Force from making appointments, NBC reports on its 12pm bulletin.

Somare vows to continue fight

2012-01-30T10:51:00.002+10:00

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare, who maintains he is the legitimate prime minister of Papua New Guinea, said yesterday he will continue to uphold the Constitution, The National reports.
Sir Michael, whose claim to lead the government is backed by a Supreme Court ruling delivered last December, said in a statement: “If this is to be my last and biggest battle, I will fight for the Constitution, the underlying law that holds the very fabric of our democracy and democratic institutions together.
“Yes, I could call it quits and allow elected leaders that continuously sidestep our laws to take us to the brink of our democracy.
“But I am still the representative of my people and will continue to stand for what I believe is in their best interest.
“Parliament does not have absolute power and yet we are allowing this dangerous trend of violations and breaches to be legitimised by the one argument of majority rule,” Sir Michael, who was ousted last August after Peter O’Neill and his deputy, Belden Namah, garnered superior numbers in parliament, said.
“All past prime ministers respected the orders of the courts; from Sir Julius Chan, Paias Wingti, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, the late Sir William Skate and even Sir Mekere Morauta.”
He said O’Neill, with the support of the Speaker of Parliament (Jeffrey Nape) was the only illegitimate self-proclaimed prime minister who considered himself above the law and would not comply with court orders.
“This impasse is not about Michael Somare or Peter O’Neill. If we continue to trample on our laws to stay in power we are condoning illegitimacy. What law will we turn to in order to argue our rights?” he said.
“I do not want a country that is under the barrel of arms. I do not want a country where our security forces will compromise on the laws of this land for personalities.
“I stress that this impasse is about the law. Therefore, to suggest that I encouraged a coup is shameful in its simplicity.
“I want to set the record straight by saying, my government appointed Fred Yakasa and the matter is before the court. We also appointed Gabriel Yer as treasury secretary and the matter is also before the court.
“In the same way, we last week dismissed Commander Francis Agwi and replaced him with Col Yaura Sasa.
“If O’Neill is aggrieved he must take the matter to the same courts. He must not manipulate agents of the law in the manner that we have seen since he inappropriately took office on 2 August 2011.
“I appeal to the people of Papua New Guinea to look at the law and not at personalities. This issue is bigger than me and O’Neill.”
Lae-based Sasa, who is 60, led a short-lived mutiny involving about 30 other soldiers last Thursday when he placed Agwi under house arrest at the defence headquarters at Murray barracks.
However, the mutiny folded after 12 hours for lack of support from senior officers around the country.

How PNG’s latest political crisis unfolded

2012-01-30T10:48:00.004+10:00

From The National

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare appoints a 60-year-old retrenched army colonel, Yaura Sasa, as commander of the country’s Defence Force.
In the early hours of last Thursday, Lae-based Sasa, a former military attaché to Indonesia, leads a small group of 30 soldiers to Taurama barracks in Port Moresby which houses the 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment where the mutineers detain their own commander, Lt-Col Francis Kari, under ``house arrest”. The group comprised members of the sea element, air transport squadron and recruits from the Goldie River training depot.
The group heads to Murray Barracks, home to the Defence Force headquarters about 17km south-east in hired vehicles where they take PNGDF commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi by surprise in his residence and also placed him under” house arrest”.
Sasa installs himself in Agwi’s office and calls a media conference at Murray barracks at 11am where he announces he has been appointed by Sir Michael as head of the Defence Force.
Sasa denies it is a military coup, that it is the ``normal process’’ of replacement of a commander by the government. He gives rival prime ministers Sir Michael and Peter O’Neill seven days to implement the Supreme Court’s orders re-instating Sir Michael as prime minister or he will be forced to take actions to uphold the Constitution.
Air Niugini announces it has suspended flights to centres with military camps – Wewak in East Sepik, Lae (Morobe), Vanimo (West Sepik) and Kiunga (Western). Australian prime minister calls on the PNG military to stay out of politics. “Australia needed a politically stable and economically successful neighbour so it was critical the situation be resolved as soon as possible with the PNG Defence Force chain of command,” Julia Gillard said.
Senior military commanders and officers snub a summons by Sasa to attend a briefing and their lack of support signals the end of Sasa’s grab for power.
At about 2pm, shots are fired at military police personnel who retaliated and arrested 15 men belonging to Sasa’s group.
After negotiations, PNG Defence Force chief of staff Col Tom Ur takes control of the barracks and disbands Sasa’s group allowing Agwi to resume command. The mutiny is over after about 12 hours.
A small group of Sasa’s men remain at Taurama barracks where they have been demanding a full pardon for their actions.
Sasa is arrested on Saturday and appeared in court yesterday on mutiny charges, police say. Sasa was spotted by chance at a lodge away from the Taurama barracks, where his supporters have been holed up with weapons since the failed mutiny. He will be held at Bomana prison outside Port Moresby pending his court appearance next month.

All quiet on army front

2012-01-30T10:43:00.005+10:00

By JEFFREY ELAPA

ALL is quiet in the Papua New Guinea Defence Force throughout the country as the man who led the failed mutiny is held in custody, The National reports.
At around 2am last Thursday, Yaura Sasa, a retrenched colonel in his early 60s, led a group of 30 armed soldiers and placed the commanding officer of the Taurama Barracks, Lt-Col Francis Kari under house arrest.
At around 5am, the group drove to the Defence Force headquarters at Murray Barracks in hired vehicles and took control of the gates as Sasa claimed to have taken over as the commanding officer of the force.
The rebel soldiers placed the commander, Brig-Gen Francis Agwi, and other senior military officers under house arrest. Among them was Col Walter Enuma.
However, the situation was stabilised when the group was disbanded and Agwi resumed control and command.
It had been alleged that several members of parliament funded the operation while Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare has admitted appointing Sasa as commander of the Defence Force.
At around 6pm last Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister and acting Defence Minister Belden Namah, accompanied by six ministers and politicians, visited the barracks and met with top military officials.
As soon as the mutiny was quashed, police started looking for Sasa.
Sasa was arrested at 8pm on Saturday and questioned yesterday Sunday morning. He was charged with one count of incitement to mutiny.
He appeared before a special court and had been remanded in custody at the Bomana jail.
Military establishments in the city, including Taurama and Murray barracks, were quiet while security was beefed up with armed guards at the gates to the barracks.
A visit to other establishments such as the Defence Force air wing and the maritime base also showed the situation was quiet and under control.
Reports received from other military barracks at Igam, Moem, Kiunga, Vanimo and Kerowil, in the Western
Highlands, indicated everything was under the control of Agwi, who resumed office 11 hours after the mutiny started.

O’Neill: Hunt on for plotters

2012-01-30T10:39:00.001+10:00

THOSE who incited last Thursday’s mutiny at Port Moresby’s Murray barracks, or played a part in encouraging it, will face the full force of the law, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said last night, The National reports.
O’Neill’s warning came after police arrested retrenched army colonel Yaura Sasa in Port Moresby last Saturday night and charged him with inciting mutiny.
Sasa, who led a group of 40 soldiers, placed PNG Defence Force commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi and other senior military officers under house arrest in an attempt to take control of the military.
The move was short-lived with Agwi restored to his position later that day.
So far, two members of parliament aligned to Sir Michael Somare – Andew Kumbakor and John Pundari – had admitted that their camp was responsible for getting Sasa to stage the mutinous act, O’Neill said.
He said Sir Michael issued a statement which suggested he had endorsed Sasa’s actions.
“Let me make this clear – no one is above the law,” O’Neill said.
“If there is evidence of politicians having a direct hand in this mutinous act, they will be subjected to the full force of the law,” O’Neill said.
“Retrenched colonel Sasa has been arrested, appeared in court and is in custody for his part in the drama last Thursday. He is being subjected to the law and others will follow as police gather more evidence in their investigations which are ongoing.”
O’Neill said it was “irresponsible and unbecoming for politicians to make public statements” urging the disciplined forces to break the law.
“It is shocking to see and hear politicians in the Somare camp make statements like this. It shows they have very little regard for the disciplined forces and the rule of law.”
He urged Sir Michael to stop holding himself out as an MP and prime minister.
“Sir Michael is not the prime minister and he is no longer a member of parliament and must move on in life,” he said.
O’Neill said since the Dec 12 ruling by the Supreme Court, a number of court proceedings had been in both the national and supreme courts which were yet to be determined.
“As law abiding citizens, we should wait for the courts to address these issues rather than get desperate and use the disciplined forces to break the law.
“It is becoming clear who is trampling on the law here. And I urge Somare to stop making public remarks aimed at inciting individuals and institutions to break the law.

Sasa charged with mutiny

2012-01-30T10:26:00.002+10:00

By JUNIOR UKAHA

YAURA Sasa, the man who led rebel soldiers in a failed bid to take over the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, was yesterday charged with inciting mutiny, The National reports.
National Capital District police chief Peter Guinness said the charge centred on Sasa putting senior members of the Defence Force, including commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi, under house arrest and occupying the commander’s office forcefully and illegally last Thursday.
Guinness said police were also seeking legal advice on laying charges of “false imprisonment” and “deprivation of liberty” against Sasa.
“Police are treating the matter very seriously.
“Investigations are continuing and we will arrest those soldiers involved in the mutiny and the civilians who funded their operations,” Guinness said.
If tried and found guilty, Sasa could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
Appearing before a “special court” yesterday at the Waigani committal hearing, a calm Sasa said he did not regret his actions as they were carried out “to uphold the Constitution”.
Sasa, almost 60, from Morobe, who led the eight-hour mutiny, had earlier said he was commander of the Defence Force and his immediate task was to restore “the integrity and respect for the judiciary and Constitution”.
Sasa was picked up by members of the police mobile squad at 8pm on Saturday from the Peai Lodge on Mirigini Avenue in Boroko, NCD.
Guinness said Sasa was taken to police headquarters that same night, interviewed until the next morning and charged.
Guinness said because of the sensitivity, urgency and importance of the case, a special court had to be convened to deal with Sasa immediately.
Heavily-armed elite police officers escorted Sasa to court at around 2pm before he was taken to the Bomana prison.
“He has the right to bail and a lawyer. However, given the seriousness of his case, he must apply through the National Court to have his bail granted,” Guinness said.
Sasa will reappear in court on Feb 29

End of an era in Lae

2012-01-29T18:57:00.003+10:00

By REIMUND STRAUSS

Dear Mr Nalu, as we’ve gone finish“ 1998, it takes its time until news from PNG reachus.

Butthey still do!

Today I read your article “End of an era in Lae”, about the latePaul Menzel, published in The National on Friday, November 25, 2011.

The sad news touches me very much, because during my three-and-a-half yearsin Lae my wife and I had a special relationship to Paul.

Did you even know thatPaul wasn’t his Christian Name, but, as far as I recall, Winfried!

Many lunchbreaks I enjoyed at his coffee shop.

In Decembers he offered DresdnerChriststollen to us, a very special and famous German Christmas cake from thetown of Dresden.

His mother,living there, sent it to Paul for Xmas allthe way from Germany.

His Coffee Shop was the place to meet for theGermans living in and coming to Lae.

Our friends Michael Schneider and his wifePhyllis, at that time living in Bulolo, married at Paul’s Coffee Shop in 1997.

The Morobe Administrator held the Wedding Ceremony there!

When returning to Germany, Paul gave us a beautiful carved tablet as a present at one of our last days in his Coffee Shop.

He then even wrapped itas protection for its shipment with our goods.

Months later, when our goods hadarrived in Germany, we cautiously unpacked the present, but something fell tothe floor.

It was a tin of Solomon Tuna, because his tuna sandwich had been myfavourite dish at theCoffee Shop!

That’s Paul!

We kept the tin for a very special occasion –it is still there after almost 14 years, as all the good memories of awonderful time in PNG.

By the way: Winfried is an old German name and means “friend of peace”.

This name fits for Paul, and we are sure that he finally found his peace.

Best regards,

Reimund Strauss

Freising - Germany

Col Yaura Sasa refused bail

2012-01-29T18:23:00.001+10:00

Colonel Yaura Sasa has been refused bail by the Waigani committal court and will spend tonight behind bars.
However, "Defence Minister" in the Somare regime, Andrew Kumbakor, told a news conference that Sasa was entitled to bail and he would push for that tonight.
Kumbakor claimed that soldiers at Taurama Barracks were behind Sasa and the Somare regime.

Glory days of Goroka

2012-01-29T17:51:00.000+10:00

By WILL MUSKENS

Dear Malum,

An acquaintance who does missionary work in PNG recently sent me your articlepublished in The National on August 5, 2011 about your reminiscenses of Gorokain the old days.

As an educational textbook seller I had given her some boxesof learning guides that she felt could be put to good use at a mission schoolin Wabag.

Your article brought back a flood of memories of my own time in Goroka.

From1971 to 1975 I was posted to Goroka, first as Assistant District Commissioner,followed by two years as the last "white" Council Clerk of GorokaLocal Government Council, handing over to my understudy Himony Lapiso in August1975 - after which I resigned to start my own small business in Queensland.

The 17 years I spent as a kiap (1958-1975) in PNG were the best years of mylife.

In a sense I grew up there because only a few months after completinghigh school in 1957 and at just 18 years of age I found myself on a DC-4 flyingfrom Brisbane to Port Moresby - to a job I knew very little about!

A few shortmonths later I was sent to Bundi Patrol Post (in a shaky old canvas Dragonbi-plane!) to caretake while the permanent Patrol Officer took a month's breakin Madang.

My experiences were certainly not unique - in the late 50's therewas a shortage of experienced field staff, and the only way was to expose youngblokes to the challenges of isolation and responsibilities of day-to-dayoutstation management.

Learning to speak fluent pidgin was crucial but occurredrapidly - after all, more often than not and especially when on patrol, therewere only the police constables and medical orderlies accompanying the patrols,and of course the village people, to talk with.

Before being transferred toGoroka I had been based for varying terms in Saidor, Madang, Kalalo (Wasu),Imonda, Green River, Kokopo, Rabaul, Pomio, and Aitape.

Like you, I developed a great affection for Goroka - it was always considered a"plum" posting for government officers, for reasons that youdescribed in your article.

A literal paradise - cool climate, spectacularscenery, fertile and bountiful land, and a population that was industrious andkeen to learn and improve their quality of life.

Goroka Council was always regarded as a model for local government in PNG - itpioneered combining urban and rural local government and was extremelysuccessful in serving the diverse demands of both communities.

We had somereally outstanding councillors back then - Atau Waikave, Akepa Miakwe, Iyape Norikave(?) and a wonderful gregarious character called Cr Bulmakau! Rural councillorsfar outnumbered the handful from the town, but they were able to strike aperfect balance between urban and rural development and the standard ofservices to both constituencies were of a very high standard.

In 1988, after an absence of 13 years, I took up an offer by the EasternHighlands Provincial Government to come back to Goroka to set up a new urbanauthority - the standard or urban services and amenities had deteriorated, forone rreason or another. They decided that the best way to get Goroka workingagain would be to separate the town and the rural districts into 2 separatelocal government entities because the single council was no longer capable ofhandling the demands of both interests productively.

For me it was in many ways a "homecoming" - how ironic that thePremier of EHP was Walter Nombe, who in the time I was ADC in the 70's, hadbeen my sub-distrcit office clerk!

My appointment was as Town Manager of the Eastern Highlands Capital Authority,with a board of 10 local leaders headed by Silas Atopare. It was an extremelychallenging time, especially in the first year as we struggled to findsufficient funds to get the Authority off the ground, and with some understandableresistance from the Goroka Council who were not very pleased to have the town,and inherent revenue (land rates etc) taken away from them.

My excitement to be back in Goroka was tempered by the sorry state of the town- garbage piled up along the streets, roads in disrepair, town water barely atrickle if at all, and domestic pigs roaming freely at night and totallydestroying the once beautiful parks and gardens for which Goroka was renowned.

The magnitude of the task ahead was immense, and apart from anything else, Iwas very conscious that here I was, a lone white man, in a way"recycled", with thousands of eyes watching my every move and readyto swoop if I put a foot wrong!

The three years that I spent as Town Manager in Goroka until 1992 surpassed myprevious experiences in PNG and included some really remarkable episodes, notleast the close working relationship between Silas Atopare and myself, but Iwon't bore you further with my ramblings.

Suffice to say that in a relativelyshort period the wonderfully dedicated personnel of the Town Authority, fromboard member to humble street sweeper, managed to restore Goroka to its formerglory, drawing praise from the broad community, and envy from other urbancommunities.

We demonstrated that it did not require the re-invention of the wheel to bringa town back to normal operations - all we had to do was to manage meagrefinances carefully, apply all the revenues to providing urban utility andpublic services, implement and enforce local laws dealing with littering andanimal husbandry, and inspire civic pride.

It is amazing what a community willdo to rise to the occasion when you provide good governance - Goroka in thoseyears even banned betel nut selling and spitting in all public areas, withoutstanding effect!

I still have enormous affection for Goroka (and PNG of course) and wish I couldstill be there.

Thank you for writing about "my town" - I now follow your blog andreally enjoy your comments and observations on contemporary life in PNG.

Kind regards,

Will Muskens
465 Simpsons Road
BARDON Qld 4065
(61) 419 658 494

Prime Minister for early election

2012-01-29T14:28:00.000+10:00

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill, shaken by last Thursday's mutiny by rebel troops, will move to dissolve parliament next month and go to early polls to end the current political impasse, The National reported last Friday.
He said he would seek his government’s blessing to bring forward the scheduled June general election.
O’Neill said this after announcing that the day-long mutiny by the 30 rebels, led by retrenched colonel Yaura Sasa, at Murray Barracks headquarters, was over.
Fifteen of the soldiers have been arrested and Sasa was being “dealt with” but O’Neill declined to clarify what this meant .
O’Neill said he would ask his government during the February session of parliament whether they should pursue the option of an early election.
“We are looking at going for early election as quickly as possible to end this political impasse and we hope the Electoral Commission is ready for early elections,” he said.
O’Neill said this last Thursday when he accused the Somare camp of inciting mutiny at the Murray Barracks and trying to illegally take over the Papua New Guinea defence force
“The dramatic situation at the Murray barracks yesterday morning demonstrates the desperate length Somare can go to wrestle government,’’ O’Neill said.
“Somare tried to cleverly manipulate an internal issue in the force to his advantage, to use the military to take government by force.”
O’Neill late last Thursday commended senior military officers for restoring control at Murray Barracks and thanked the public for showing restraint despite the drama.
O’Neill said issues relating to the soldiers’ grievances would be addressed - including ending the political uncertainty by dissolving parliament.
In a dramatic turn of events at Murray barracks last Thursday, a group of soldiers led by retrenched PNGDF Col Yaura Sasa detained Commander Francis Agwi at his residence.
“Yesterday (Thursday)morning, a group of soldiers illegally and unlawfully placed PNGDF Commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi under house arrest and tried to take control of the country’s defence force,” O’Neill said.
“Without any lawful authority, retrenched Sasa declared himself the commander, held a press conference and made political statements he had no authority to make.”
O’Neill said retrenched Sasa was not appointed by the government to replace Agwi.
“He has no legal and valid instrument to back his claim that he is the commander. He is a civilian who was misled by the Somare camp to carry out an illegal and unlawful act.
“The action by Sasa has no support of the rank and file of the PNG Defence Force. His attempt to take over the force has now been neutralised, and normalcy has been restored at Murray barracks.
“By his public statement, it is clear Sasa was used to stage this illegal act to call for the implementation of the Supreme Court decision. He has no authority to make this statement, He is a civilian who is not supposed to be at the barracks at all.
“As we are all aware, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on Dec 12.”
He said parliament took note of the decision and disposed of it by making a number of legislative changes and decisions, one of which was to reaffirm him as prime minister.
O’Neill said the Supreme Court decision, and the decision of parliament, were now the subject of various court proceedings before the National and Supreme Court.
He said the proceedings were initiated by both sides and awaiting the outcome of these proceedings.
“But what we have witnessed is a desperate attempt by Somare to trample on proper and legal processes to get into government,” he said.
O’Neill said Sir Michael had been looked after by the country for 45 years and he owed it to the seven million people of PNG.
“Sir Michael as the founding father of this nation should not be creating uncertainty,” he said.
O’Neill said those responsible for the drama at Murray barracks would be dealt with - including Sir Michael and those supporting him.

PNG Party to remove Somare's face from K50 notes?

2012-01-29T14:02:00.005+10:00

Heard from Lae that PNG Party had a very interesting breakfast this morning.

Rumour is that they've already instructed the Central Bank to remove Somare's face from the next batch of K50 notes.

Yaura Sasa arrested

2012-01-29T12:30:00.001+10:00

Yaura Sasa, the retrenched military officer who was brought back to Murray Barrcks to lead last Thursday's mutiny has been arrested, the Sunday Chronicle reports today.
National Capital District police commander Peter Guiness confirmed the arrest last night.
Sasa was apprehended at about 8pm at the Peai Lodge at Mirigini Avenue, Boroko, by members of the police mobile squad under the command of Allan Manning after a tip-off.
"Sasa is a free man like you and me until he is formally charged," Guiness said.
As of 10pm last night, Sasa was still being interviewed by police at Boroka Police Station before he could be formally charged.

Will the 2012 General Election breach the Constitution?

2012-01-28T15:50:00.000+10:00

By Barry Holloway and James Macpherson

TheDanger

The next Parliament risksunconstitutional membership. Electionsfor provincial and open electorates could breach the Constitution.

Such a breach would undercut anational strength: our Parliament.

This Parliament needs to makeinformed decisions quickly so that elections to the next Parliament areconstitutional.

Achievementsof this Parliament

Parliament has enacted the firstchanges to its electorates since Independence.

Provision for Jiwaka and Helaprovincial electorates is the first change to boundaries of any electoratesince before Independence.

Amendment of the Constitution toprovide for women’s electorates shows willingness to consider radical changesby the overwhelmingly male majority.

These achievements can form afoundation for a stronger Parliament.

UnconstitutionalElections for Provincial Electorates

Elections to provincial electorateswill breach the Constitution. Section 126 of the Constitution requireselectoral procedures defined by an Organic Law. Parliament has repealed provisions in the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections forelectoral procedures for Provincial MPs. Election of Provincial MPs could be challenged in Court.

Will Parliament amendthe Organic Law on National andLocal-level Government Elections to provide for election of ProvincialMPs?

Will Parliament gointo the next General Election in breach of Constitutional requirements forelections to provincial electorates?

UnconstitutionalNumber of Open Electorates

The number of open electorates inthe present Parliament and for the next Parliament breaches the Constitution. The OrganicLaw on National and Local-level Government Elections requires between 110and 120 open electorates. There are 89 openelectorates.

It is too late for a BoundariesCommission during this Parliament to recommend new electorates for the 2012General Election. To preventconstitutional crisis the Organic Law should be amended to provide a range ofOpen Electorates which includes 89 open electorates.

Will Parliament amend the OrganicLaw on National and Local-level Government Elections to make constitutionalthe number of Open Electorates?

Will Parliament gointo the 2012 General Election in breach of Constitutional requirements for thenumber of Open Electorates?

Women’sElectorates

Parliament has enacted amendments tothe Constitution to provide for women’s reserved electorates.

The gap in legislation parallelsthat for provincial and open electorates. The Organic Law on National andLocal-level Government Elections should be amended to provide fordefinition of the electorates and elections to them.

Will Parliament use the gap in the OrganicLaw on National and Local-level Government Elections to prevent electionsfor women’s reserved electorates in 2012?

Will Parliament use parallel gaps in the Organic Law on National and Local-level Government Elections forelections to provincial electorates and number of open electorates to preventelections to provincial and open electorates in 2012?

Timelines and the 2012 General Election

Constitutional laws require onemonth notice and two months opportunity for debate. Parliament’s Constitutional Laws and ActsCommittee must recommend on legislation before the first opportunity fordebate. Amendments to the Organic Law on National and Local-levelGovernment Elections require a three quarters absolute majority.

The Legislative Working Group,appointed by NEC, has drafted amendments to the Organic Law required to make constitutional:

Elections to provincial electorates;
The number of open electorates; and
Elections to women’s reserved electorates.

If these amendments are not enacted,the next Parliament will be unconstitutional.

The legislative program to create aconstitutional Parliament must start now.

Colonel Yaura Sasa a "one hit wonder"

2012-01-27T18:40:00.000+10:00

By REG RENAGI

After yesterday's "One-Day Wonder" petering out to a low key whimper by the end of the day...many people with good intentions have since asked me for my thoughts on this whole fiasco.

I told them it was most unfortunate that we had to come to this.

But before any self-righteous Christians amongst us cast the first stone at former retired colonel Yaura Sasa, let me say that he did have noble intentions.

But the former soldier went about resolving the current political impasse, the wrong way.

Many of you reading this have been avid critics of the government recently by complaining on FB that we should all times, safeguard our constitution and judiaciary.

Well believe it or not, that's what Yaura Sasa was in his 'misguided way' trying to do too, but did not succeed for many reasons.

The reasons are many, and I will not go into them here.

So I wanted to pen a good 25 word piece (a 30 second read) this morning, but our FB blogger Osborne Sanida beat me to it by summing up this whole thing very well.

So here is what he says as my "comment of the day" today.

"The Col may have good intentions, but obviously the method used to try to achieve those intentions was clearly illega

l. Using an illegal means to try solve an alleged illegal action doesn't make sense. "2 wrongs don't make a right"'.

Well said Osborne ...and that's what I would tell anyone thinking of doing something similar in future - PLEASE DON'T TRY IT!