A session of Papua New Guinea's parliament has ended with an extraordinary outburst by prime minister Sir Michael Somare, who threatened to kill an opponent.
After a ceremony in parliament to swear in the governor-general, the leader of government business moved to suspend parliament until November 16. When the speaker called for 'ayes' and 'no's', the no's were noticeably louder. But the speaker said "the ayes have it" and adjourned parliament without calling for a division to count the numbers. As members were leaving the house, Sir Michael walked towards the opposition benches, pointed at MP Sam Basil and yelled in pidgin: "I'm going to kill you outside". Only hours earlier the opposition gave the speaker notice for a motion of no confidence in Sir Michael.
Opposition Leader Rt Hon Sir Mekere Morauta said today the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the National Parliament and the Leader of Government Business have yet again breached the Constitution by failing to ensure that Parliament sits the required 63 days in the Parliamentary year.
“I will immediately seek legal advice about the options open to the Opposition for fighting the adjournment in the courts,” he said.
“The adjournment motion moved by Mr Tiensten and accepted by Mr Nape, is not only a most serious and deliberate breach of the Constitution.
“It goes against all the principles of democracy.
“Today’s decision was designed purely to avoid a motion of no confidence.
“It was an act of a desperate Government that will do anything to stay in power. It was an act of a Government frightened of facing the consequences of its own actions.
“Not only was the decision in breach of the Constitution, it was in breach of Standing Orders.
“The Speaker accepted the adjournment vote on the voices. The Opposition called for a division, a request that the Speaker is obliged to agree to. He refused.
“Adjourning the Parliament denies the right of the people to be represented by their elected Member of Parliament.
“It is a further step along the National Alliance’s road to chaos and disorder.
“It is a further step towards stamping out legitimate dissent.
“People are being denied their right to free speech, to protest, and now, once again, Members of Parliament are being muzzled.
“It is time the dictators of the Kitchen Cabinet were called to account for their actions.”
Sir Mekere said that by adjourning the Parliament today to 16 November, Michael Somare, Jeffrey Nape and Paul Tiensten had breached their Constitutional duty and had committed an offence under the Leadership Code.
Section 124(1) of the Constitution prescribes that “the Parliament shall … meet … for not less than nine weeks in each period (of twelve months)”.
In 1999 the Supreme Court ruled that the meaning of “nine weeks” in this context was 63 days and that the ‘parliamentary year’ commenced on the day after the return of writs following a general election.
The relevant dates for the current term of Parliament are 07 August 2009 and 06 August 2010.
In the period 07 August 2009 to date, the Parliament has sat for only 35 days, 28 days short of the required 63 days.
“The decision to adjourn displays a total disregard for Parliament as an institution and a total disregard for the constitutional requirement for Parliament to sit,” Sir Mekere said.
“The actions of 21 July 2010 are a deliberate and flagrant breach of the Constitution and of the Standing Orders.
“The Speaker violated the Constitution by accepting the Motion for adjournment. The Leader of Government Business violated the Constitution by moving the Motion. The Prime Minister, as head of the executive government and responsible for the Government’s actions, violated the Constitution.”
The Speaker, the Prime Minister and the Leader of Government Business have sworn an Oath of Office to protect and uphold the Constitution and the laws of the country.
These three leaders have yet again consciously and knowingly breached the Constitution, and their Oath of Office, Sir Mekere said.
“I also hope that the Ombudsman Commission will finally take action and refer the three leaders to the Public Prosecutor for breach of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership,” he said.
Sir Mekere said the adjournment was clearly designed to prevent debate and voting on a number of important bills and motions, as well as the proposed Motion of No Confidence in the Prime Minister.
Sir Mekere said the Kitchen Cabinet was deliberately destroying the right to free speech in Papua New Guinea.
“Today we have seen Members of Parliament illegally being prevented from debating matters of the highest national importance,” he said.
“Recently we have seen legitimate criticism of the proposed amendments to the Ombudsman Commission and the new Environment legislation being silenced.
“Why do the Prime Minister and his Kitchen Cabinet fear free speech so much?
“Why do they trample on our right to criticise bad laws, to criticise corruption, to criticise the Government’s failure to deliver services to the people?
“This is a very dangerous road the Kitchen Cabinet is taking us.
“The fundamental basis of our Constitution is the preservation of parliamentary democracy.
“The Kitchen Cabinet is destroying democracy in our country.”
Chaos has reigned in Papua New Guinea's parliament during a ceremony to swear in the Governor-General. Parliament resumed to swear-in Sir Paulias Matane for his second consecutive term as Governor-General, but before that could happen, the opposition called for a vote to defer the ceremony. It believes the process to re-appoint Sir Paulias was flawed. As foreign dignitaries looked on from the gallery, MPs hurled abuse across the floor of parliament. After a lengthy discussion with the clerk the deputy speaker allowed the vote to precede - and it was lost 42 to 59. The opposition leader and his deputy then left the chamber in protest while Sir Paulias was sworn in as PNG's head of state.
A GANG leader was rounded up and axed to dead allegedly by angry Tengo villagers from Margarima district yesterday while three of his criminal members were arrested by police and paraded naked in public in Tari, Southern Highlands province (pictured).
Tari police said the notorious gang members have being involved in armed hold-up of vehicles at the infamous Ambua Gap section of the Highlands Highway from Mendi into Tari. Police said the gang numbering to 19 have always taken cover in the thick jungles of Ambua and held up vehicles at gun-point while they attacked and robbed helpless travellers.
Police said several mothers and girls have been raped while money and valuables worth thousands of kina have also been stolen by this gang at the road block.
Several attempts by police to have them captured have been futile.
The gang’s latest attack happened on Monday afternoon at about 5pm when they held up a passing 15-seater PMV bus.
Another utility vehicle loaded with some men from Margarima arrived minutes later to the scene and attempted to rescue the PMV bus and its passengers when a member of the gang opened fired and shot one of the Margarima man who died instantly.
Angry relatives of the deceased identified as David Sore, of Kungu village in Margarima, immediately retaliated by mounting a road block at Tengo village and searching all vehicles passing through to Tari.
The relatives alleged that the gang was from Tigibi village on the foot of Mt Ambua.
The National travelled on the same road in another PMV bus from Mt Hagen into Tari, 20 minutes after the incident had happened and witnessed the happenings.
Angry relatives of the deceased forced all vehicles passing through to stop while they made a search for any people from Tigibi that could be in the vehicles.
At around 5am yesterday, the Tengo tribesmen armed with bush knives, bows and arrows and homemade guns went in pursuit of the gang into the Ambua jungles.
The tribesmen numbering more than 50 tracked the gang to the foot of DomaPeaks range where they conducted an early dawn raid at Alua Kambe village near Tigibi and raided the hideout of the gang.
In the raid, the relatives burnt down several homes and hacked to death the gang leader whose identity is not known.
The other 15 gang members fled while three of them were not so lucky and were surrounded by the locals.
The locals then alerted Tari-based police mobile squad (MS) 09 unit and under the command of chief Sgt Peter Buka, the MS09 unit went into the area and managed to apprehend the three gang members.
As the MS09 members rounded up the three men, members of the local communities who had been victims of the road blocks stripped the trio naked and tied them to the front of the police vehicles.
The trio were shown to the public along the way as police drove them for about 15km into Tari town.
Victims of the gang attack at Ambua threw missiles, rocks and shouted abuse at the trio as they were driven into the town and shown to the public at Tari police stations for victims of the road blocks to come forward and give statements to the police.
At the police station, hundreds of Tari and Hela people rushed to get a glimpse of the gang members while others beat up the trio with sticks and stones.
Blood could be seen sprouting out of the three men’s heads while several bruises were evident on their naked bodies from the public’s beatings.
Several Tari and Hela community members commended the MS09 unit for capturing the criminals and expressed a sigh of relief that at last some of the bad men who had been robbing and attacking them at Ambua have been captured.
Police identified the three gang members as from Pureni and Yaluba villages in South Koroba who had migrated to Tigibi to conduct their illegal activities.
The three are currently locked up at Tari police station cell.
Police said they would conduct further investigations and questioning.
Police said the trio were likely to face a number of charges including wilful murder, attempted murder, armed robbery, illegal road blocks, rape, attempted rape, stealing, in possession of offensive weapons, threatening and more.
Tari police station commander chief inspector Michael Welly confirmed the incidents and commended the police MS09 unit and the Tigibi community for their part in apprehending the three men.
Police are confident of arresting the other 15 gang members now that three of them have been caught.
Alleged members of a gang who have been terrorising people travelling along the Ambua Gap section of the Highlands Highway between Mendi and Tari in Southern Highlands were captured yesterday and paraded around Tari naked, The National reports.
Members of the public also took their anger and frustration out on three of the 19-member gang who were captured, beating them with rocks, sticks and other missiles as they sat naked atop police mobile squad (MS09) vehicles.
One of the gang members, allegedly the leader, was hacked to death.-Nationalpic by ANDREW ALPHONSE
LOBBYING for numbers was intensifying last night for a showdown in parliament today, when the opposition is expected to lodge the notice for a motion of no-confidence in the prime minister, The Nationalreports.
The new-look opposition, buoyed by the arrival of former deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu, and ministers Belden Namah and Charles Abel, is confident of getting the notice through today.
Sir Puka is happy with the group’s performance yesterday afternoon when parliament resumed, pinning Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare down on good governance and corruption issues.
The prime minister fought back with tenacity when answering questions, looking comfortable with the numbers on his side, although anything can happen in 24 hours.
The opposition will step up another gear today by pushing the notice of vote of no-confidence.
The first business when parliament resumes this morning will be the swearing in of the re-elected Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane.
Insiders told The National that straight after the swearing-in, the government will adjourn parliament until November.
The opposition expects this, and Sir Puka said he was confident they would secure the required minimum of 55 MPs to block an adjournment, and push through the notice for a no-confidence vote in the prime minister.
If the opposition succeeded in giving notice today, they will await the parliamentary committee led by the speaker to screen the motion to see whether it is of national interest or of a parochial nature.
The speaker would then make his ruling by Thursday and, if it is affirmative, parliament will adjourn for seven days and then resume for the vote.
Sir Puka, who was surrounded by 43 MPs including former ministers Namah and Abel, Morobe Governor Luther Wenge and opposition MPs Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Julius Chan and Bart Philemon appealed to decent leaders in the government to move.
“I know they respect the Grand Chief that, because of him, we have come this far but the leaders must do the right thing and join us,” Sir Puka said.
“We have tested the numbers in parliament and we know that we will get the necessary numbers to vote out the prime minister,” he said after he moved to extend question time in parliament, which required a simple 55 majority, but he only mustered 43 MPs from the March Girls camp that stood up to be counted.
“We have tested the numbers and we will now put a strategy in place to remove this government.
“I demand you move to this side to support us to put a vote on the prime minister,” Sir Puka appealed the government side.
“I demand that the head of government should step aside. Why concentrate too much power on one man at IPBC and Treasury and Finance.”
He said the prime minister had served a long time and age had caught up with him, and the momentum to remove him is driven by young leaders.
Sir Puka also appealed to the speaker to ensure the motion goes through to parliament.
He said technical requirements for the notice of motion to go through would be strictly adhered to, given the experience by the opposition in the past and the government MPs now in opposition.
“We will comply with all the technicalities.
“Parliament is the people’s house. It is not the government house and not the speaker’s house. The speaker must maintain neutrality all the time,” Sir Puka said.
A government spokesman said last night that the government was talking with opposition groups to bring them over to fill the vacancies in cabinet.
The spokesman said they were making offers to the “original” opposition.
FORMER forest minister Belden Namah yesterday raised serious allegations of corruption and questionable deals involving some government ministers, TheNational reports.
The prime minister tried to get the speaker to stop Namah raising the allegations publicly in parliament, claiming the former minister could not divulge confidential cabinet information for five years.
But, speaker Jeffery Nape allowed Namah to speak out.
Namah, former deputy prime minister Sir Puka Temu and culture and tourism minister Charles Abel walked out of government on Monday and were sacked by the prime minister yesterday.
When parliament resumed after 2pm, the three walked in with the opposition and sat in the opposition’s middle benches.
During question time, Namah told parliament he was fed up with corruption in government, and decided to walk out.
The Vanimo-Green MP alleged a number of corrupt practices by the Border Development Authority (BDA). One of them involved buying boats at inflated prices.
He said the BDA bought six border vessels for six border provinces for K2 million each, when the price of each boat was K600, 000.
He also alleged that a company that was awarded a contract to set up VSat communication in the border areas did not have technical capacity.
He said the company was owned by a senior government minister.
He claimed that an Icelandic company was awarded a contract of K15 million to do the town planning for Aitape, with no work done so far.
Namah said such deals and transactions showed that the BDA had lost its way and was not serving the purpose it was set up for.
He said serious issues still remain to be addressed at the border areas, including the deteriorating border posts and closure of police posts, border incursions, illegal drugs, firearms and human smuggling.
He said BDA was established to build infrastructure like bridges, police posts and roads in the six border provinces but that had not happened.
In his questions to acting Finance and Treasury Minister Arthur Somare, Namah asked whether the minister was aware that BDA had not carried out its functions and roles to build infrastructure.
He asked the minister if he was aware that last Friday, K14 million was released to buy another two vessels.
He said one of the vessels had been allocated for the prime minister’s use in East Sepik and questioned whether East Sepik was a border province.
Namah also alleged that BDA was buying properties in Port Moresby.
“Institutions and infrastructure in the border areas are in dire condition and we are doing things for our own personal gains.
“There is supposed to be proper facilities built at Wutung. Where is our priority?
“The reason I moved over here is because of corruption on the other side.”
In response, Somare said he needed to be briefed on the BDA operations before he could reply to the allegations.
THE public will not be allowed to observe parliament when it resumes today, The National reports.
NCD police operation boss Supt Andy Bawa told The National that the ban was to instill control during this politically-sensitive period, especially with the looming vote of no-confidence against the government.
Yesterday, armed police personnel stood guard at parliament’s two gates and turned away the public from entering.
A huge crowd had gathered at the gates but could not enter.
Bawa also warned that police would not allow any planned public protests or marches in fear of riots.
The crowd, which consisted of mainly young people as well as women and children, were keen to learn and wanted to be the first to know about the outcome of yesterday’s parliament session.
Some public servants, especially teachers and landowners from Hides in Southern Highlands, were part of the crowd that waited outside the gates of parliament.
Many people said they wanted a change of government.
“The change is necessary because we, the resource owners, have not benefited from the developments taking place, especially from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project,” chairman of the project development licenced (PDL) 1 area Takis Purawi said.
“LNG has become a political agenda for politicians while many of my people have not benefited from this project.”
Purawi, from Koroba, said he also wanted the government to be fair in its deals with the resource owners by offering better options.
WaiganiNobletPrimary School teacher, Veronica Evare, said a change in government was necessary for the good of all people.
“There are so many issues to be addressed.
“We, the teachers, nurses and many others, including those in the informal sector, have been neglected over the years.
“Equal services and opportunities must be provided for all, including the rural areas, and I believe that will come with a change of government,” Evare said.
Bawa also commended the people for retreating peacefully after they were denied entry.
“There was no arrest and the general behaviour of the public was excellent.
“I commend the public for respecting the law and leaving for home quietly,” Bawa said.
Parliament will meet again today for the anticipated swearing-in of the governor-general at 10am.
Papua New Guinea's government has survived another day, with the opposition unable to muster the numbers to move a vote of no confidence today.
However, the opposition is confident it will be able to get more ministers onside overnight in order to move a successful vote of no confidence when parliament sits again on Wednesday.
Former forest minister Belden Namah told reporters outside parliament today that the opposition would have the numbers to roll the government.
"When parliament sits we will have 55 on our side and we'll see a change," he said.
Parliament will sit on Wednesday morning for the swearing in of Governor-General Paulius Matane, and then the opposition is expected to move the vote of no confidence.
The strength of the opposition, which doubled in size this week after a raft of defections, was tested in parliament on Tuesday.
It gained 42 out of 109 votes when moving for an extension of question time.
The scene is now set for a busy night, with the opposition moving to convince other government members who remain on the fence to join them and form a new government.
Former deputy prime minister Puka Temu resigned on Monday and is now vying for the prime minister's job.
There have been tense scenes inside and outside Papua New Guinea's parliament amid speculation of a move to topple the prime minister.
Scores of heavily armed police patrolled the parliament precinct where the gates were closed to the general public and a large crowd chanted for the police to let them in.
Inside former deputy prime minister Puka Temu took a seat on the opposition side of the house with two other former ministers.
The trio defected from the government yesterday to a coalition made up of opposition MPs and smaller parties.
Mr Temu held discussions yesterday with opposition MPs at a resort outside Port Moresby.
Question time was tense with a lot of shouting and fist pumping but the new opposition group did not follow through with a threat to move a motion of no confidence against prime minister Sir Michael Somare.
Top: The opposition camp at the March Girls Resort outside Port Moresby yesterday with Sir Julius Chan (from left), NCD Governor Powes Parkop, middle group leader Jamie Maxtone-Graham, opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta, prime ministership candidate Sir Puka Temu and former attorney-general Dr Allan Marat.
Bottom: Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is flanked by Education Minister James Marape (from left), parliament speaker Jeffery Nape and Transport, Lands and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye at the PNG Institute of Public Affairs at Waigani yesterday.
DEPUTY Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu walked out of government yesterday, and has been offered the alternate prime ministership in a possible vote of no-confidence, The National reports.
Sir Puka walked out with Forest Minister Belden Namah and Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel, declaring they were fed up with too much power concentrated in the hands of the Somares.
Their group camped at the March Girls Resort outside Port Moresby. They were joined by the opposition.
A notice is expected to be given for a vote of no-confidence when parliament sits today.
In a day of dramatic political development, a National Alliance party caucus meeting scheduled for yesterday afternoon at the PNG Institute of Public Affairs did not go ahead as planned.
Learning of Sir Puka’s walkout, Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare met with his NA members and, later, the leaders of his coalition government.
He is expected to sack the three ministers and announce a cabinet reshuffle today.
Last night, the Somare camp at IPA claimed they had more than 60 MPs to starve off a challenge, while the March Girls camp said they were building enough numbers to successfully overthrow the prime minister.
Sir Puka, with the two ministers’ backing, also has the support from the opposition led by Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Julius Chan and Bart Philemon, the Eastern bloc led by Chimbu Governor John Garia and the middle group led by Jamie Maxtone-Graham.
Namah, who is the power broker, has declared an all-out war to go in and form the next government by today.
Sir Puka declared that the move was to form a new government as of today and accepted the leaders’ support for his candidacy.
“I have accepted support to be candidate for the prime minister’s post; I accept it honourably and with solemnest,” he said.
“The reason why I moved out is because I believe this is the right thing to do in the current situation where the chief and his son control enormous level of policy decision and resources.
“I don’t think it is right to congregate power in the hands of two family members. Power must be shared, and that is why I took this bold step.”
Sir Puka said his group decided to join the call by the opposition and the people to hold hands together and change the government.
He said this was the right step, knowing full well the risks involved.
He assured the business sector that he would continue to give priority to the LNG project to ensure it crosses the line.
Sir Temu gave credit to Sir Michael for bringing the country from independence until now, but said the prime minister’s mind was not as sharp as before.
“I believe this is the time for the Grand Chief to step aside.”
He said with a young crop of leaders behind him, he believed what PNG needed right now was good, dedicated, honest and transparent leadership.
“If the government has the numbers, and we don’t have them, let it be so,” Sir Puka added.
PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare will replace the three ministers who walked out of his government today, when he announces a reshuffle of his cabinet, The National reports.
Works, Transport and Civil Aviation Minister Don Polye was most likely to be appointed deputy prime minister.
The prime minister was expected to announce the reshuffle yesterday afternoon, but decided to defer it to today.
Insiders said because the political situation was very fluid, the prime minister was holding off a reshuffle and announcing a new deputy prime minister for “a few more hours”.
Sir Michael, who is leader of NA, told more than 50 supporters and coalition partners in front of the PNGIPA Hall that the party constitution was very clear that the three ministers – Deputy Prime Minister Sir Puka Temu, Forest Minister Belden Namah and Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel – moved out on their own accord.
“According to party systems, the three ministers have made their intentions known and, virtually, sacked themselves.”
Sir Michael, in a move to keep the NA party intact, also touched on the leadership issue that was now confronting the party, saying his time as leader of the party was nearing an end.
He said the constitution was explicit that no party leader could lead NA after two terms at the helm, claming that he would not be seeking re-election.
The prime minister said the party leadership issue would be brought up at the NA party convention in Minj, WesternHighlands, next month.
Some of the 32 NA members present included Attorney-General Ano Pala, Works Minister Don Polye, Education Minister James Marape, Internal Security Minister Sani Rambi, Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare, Wapenamanda MP Miki Kaeok, Tambul-Nebilyer MP Benjamin Poponawa, Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal, Planning Minister Paul Tiensten, East New Britain Governor Leo Dion, Labour Minister Mark Maipakai, East Sepik Governor Peter Wararu, Communication Minister Patrick Tammur and Bougainville MP Fidelis Semoso.
Party officials said the NA faction and its partners had a combined 62 MPs intact and would remain together to stop moves to remove the government.
Sir Michael was speaking to coalition partners who were all present to give their support including United Resource Party (URP) leaders William Duma and Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru, Pangu’s Andrew Kumbakor and Francis Marus, People’s Action Party’s Gabriel Kapris, Ben Semri and Tony Aimo, People’s National Congress leader Peter O’Neill and the People’s Party led by Enga Governor Peter Ipatas.
National Party’s Joe Mek Teine, who was earlier with the March Girls camp, was also seen outside the IPA Hall last night.
RAMU NiCo, developers of the K3.3 billion Ramu nickel project in the Bismarck Ranges of Madang, said yesterday that they were disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision last Friday not to lift the interim injunction and allow the company to install and operate the deep sea tailings placement (DSTP) facility at Basamuk Bay, The National reports.
“We are now keenly waiting on advice from our lawyers on the full meaning of the decision and its likely effect on the continued development and operation of the Ramu nickel project,” it said in a statement from Madang.
“This project was approved in 2000 and, subsequently at different stages of development, Ramu NiCo obtained the permits required from the PNG government.”
Ramu NiCo said the project had been under construction for more than two years and was now nearing completion, but Basamuk landowners’ court action only started some four months ago.
It said that during this time, it had used about K3.3 billion out of a total budget of K3.8 billion.
However, the company was confident that with a full trial on the issues in the National Court of Madang, the matter would be resolved satisfactorily.
Ramu NiCo estimated that for every day that operation of the project was held up by virtue of these court orders, the developer and its partners, Highlands Pacific Ltd and MRDC, would lose up to K7 million.
“No company can sustain losses of this magnitude for extended periods and, now, we will find it exceedingly difficult to raise funds to invest in PNG until Ramu NiCo’s rights to develop this project are confirmed.
“We suspect that this will become more than just our concern once the implications of these issues confronting us are fully assessed by the international investment community and their responses, in turn, are felt in PNG.
“The extended delays will create enormous disruption to DSTP construction and, therefore, the commissioning and operation schedule.”
The company said this would be further complicated by the coming rainy season.
“The impact on the overall plant viability could be far-reaching.”
It said that once it had been briefed by its lawyers, Ramu NiCo would discuss its present situation with project stakeholders, including the other owners, the government and key landowner and provincial government representatives, and it would make another full statement on these developments in due course.
THERE will be no protest march today, Police Commissioner Gari Baki said yesterday, The National reports.
Baki warned that any protests occurring today would be deemed illegal and that police would be deployed in parts of the city to ensure his directions were strictly followed.
Baki’s comments come in light of announcements in the media and the public by anti-corruption activist Noel Anjo and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that there will be a protest march to Parliament today.
“We want to make it clear that there will be no protest march tomorrow (today) and that it will be business as usual,” Baki told a media conference yesterday.
He said there had been so much speculation going around about a planned protest but that established procedures relating to obtaining permission to stage such a march had not occurred.
The police commissioner said also that with talk of a motion of no-confidence being moved on the prime minister when parliament sits, his men were stretched and spread too thinly to contemplate another matter such as a protest march.
Baki said he was briefed on the situation by NCD police commander Awan Sete and metropolitan commander Chief Supt Fred Yakasa.
“As far my colleagues and I are concerned, these are just speculations. There was no formal arrangement with me and my men on the protest,” he said.
Baki said requests would normally come to a committee which determined whether or not a march would go ahead and that this had not occurred.
The commissioner announced that 300 police personnel would be deployed to parts of the city today to monitor the situation and to stop any group from protesting.
Half of the policemen and women will be at the parliament while the
rest will be stationed in strategic
parts of the city.
“With so many things happening around us and now with parliament resuming with talk of vote of no-confidence, we are stretched to the limit.
“That must be respected by public, NGOs and any other individual groups. We have no time to divert those amongst ourselves to activities outside of our normal duties, it is too much,” he said.
Baki said such grievances such as the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates (OLIPPAC) had to be addressed nationally with parliament as the forum.
Yakasa said any public forums or assemblies today would be deemed as illegal.
“Now is not the appropriate time for protest marches. Any peaceful demonstration on any issues is capable of re-igniting certain things that can go out of hand. We want peace to prevail and are concerned about the safety of our people,” he said.
Catholic agency schools have told their students not to turn up for school today and it is expected other schools have done likewise in case the protest goes ahead.
Up until the turn of the century, says prominent Papua New Guinea tourism operator Sir Peter
Barter, there were positive signs that tourism would continue to prosper providing
Papua New Guinea
with a renewable resource that was sustainable.
Sunset in Kavieng.-Pictures courtesy of SIR PETER
BARTER
Not so, however, statistics show.
More recently, visitor
arrival figures issued by the Tourism Promotion Authority indicated that PNG
had one of the “fastest-growing tourist industries in the South Pacific region
and constant positive media reports indicated a healthy growth”.
“Nothing could have been further from the truth,” Sir Peter
admonishes.
Picturesque Tsoi Island, New
Ireland province
“The tourism industry in PNG generally has declined by more
than 50% over the past few years.
“I refer to ‘bona fide’ tourists, not visitor arrivals which
in real terms include all types of visitors to PNG.
“No one disputes there are more people arriving in PNG,
(however) the reality is most are not tourists, instead, they are people visiting PNG for other
purposes in most cases work-related, many of whom abuse the ‘tourist visa’
system which help to distort the real situation of the tourist industry.”
Nusa Island Retreat, New Ireland province
Historically, much of the growth of the tourist industry is
directly related to overseas tour operators.
It is through the
partnership arrangements that have been concluded between local operators in
PNG and these overseas operators who for the want of a special word have
‘packaged’ tours or parts of their tours to visit PNG.
Bilbil pottery making, Madang province
“These overseas operators are experts in their respective
markets,” Sir Peter explains.
“They produce the superb tourist brochures that highlight
reasons for visiting a particular destination.
“In more recent years they have used their websites and
internet to expose their destinations and tours, most of whom concentrate on
their specific interests, as an example diving, trekking, birding and they know
how to market their tours.
Bilbil singsing for tourists, Madang province
“The end result is the tourists contract to purchase the
product that is described in their brochures and this has a direct impact on
bona fide tourists who visit PNG.
“The number of operators featuring tours to PNG from North
America, Europe, UK, Japan, and Australia would have been in the
hundreds, supported by the various airlines.
mv Melanesian Discoverer at Simsim in happier days
“The exposure PNG received at this time resulted in the industry’s
growth.
“This coupled with other marketing by individual operators,
agents, airlines - not least Air Niugini - and hotels including the attendances
at tourist shows placed PNG in the right direction to expand the tourism
industry.”
Visiting cruise liner
mv Columbus in
Madang
The decline began with circumstances beyond PNG’s
control: fuel price increases, SARS, terrorism,
and a general change in which PNG expected a continuation of the industry to
grow without the need to retain personal contact with the operators, many of
whom also suffered from the same effects.
Bamboo band, Madang
province
Most recently, the
worldwide economic situation and continuation of problems in the Middle East have frightened tourists, especially
Americans, from travelling internationally and to lesser-known destinations.
“Whilst Air Niugini cannot be blamed for the reduction in
tourism, the unreliability of schedules, cancelled and disrupted flights have
not been helpful over the past couple of years,” Sir Peter admits.
Bagabag entertainment group, Madang province
“Tourists from developed countries have become increasingly
aware of the ease to sue and tour operators are frequently targeted for not
providing the services described in their brochures, which in turn has forced
tour operators to sell destinations that are better known for their reliability
and safety.
“Another obstacle to developing tourism is the withdrawal of
commuter air services that previously linked the Highlands
with the coast and islands.
“A tourist visiting PNG wanting to see each of the
geographic regions is forced to fly back to Port Moresby and connect with flights into
the next geographic region,
“This not only wastes time, but also substantially increases
the airfares, making PNG more expensive to visit.
“The law-and-order situation in PNG is another obstacle and
we have failed to handle this situation well in PNG.
“A good example where it has been handled well is in Fiji, where
after three military coups and bad press, the tourism industry coordinated by
the Fiji Visitors Bureau have quickly responded and been proactive in offering
all types of deals to maintain their fledging tourism industry, which is a
very-important part of the economy.
“In PNG, we have done nothing!
“Perhaps worse than the law and order problem itself is the
perception created by the various ‘Travelers Alerts’ that are widely dispersed
to travel agents, airlines and consumers.
“Having read some on PNG, it is a wonder anyone comes to
PNG!
“An industry association no longer appears to exist!
“If it does it is not effective!
“In Fiji,
the Fiji Visitors Bureau along with the Fiji industry members have
coordinated their efforts to recover the damage done by the coups.
“It goes without saying that a travel or tourism association
in PNG could do the same, yet, attempts to date have really failed to support a
number of attempts to establish industry associations.”
Sir Peter, however, is not all a harbinger of doom about
PNG’s tourism industry.
“There are many types of tourism catering for various
interest groups,” he lightens up.
“The one segment that has been doing relatively well is the
Kokoda Track, but this year, again, there has been a large decrease in numbers
of people walking Kokoda.
“PNG is well-known for its spectacular diving and the dive
segment has always shown some growth, but over the past year, it also has
experienced a decrease.
“For more than 30 years I have endeavoured to develop a cruising
segment and finally sold the Melanesian Discoverer because it was becoming
almost impossible to transport our passengers to and from the ship by Air
Niugini and charter aircraft in and out of the Sepik.
“Since we sold the ‘Discoverer’, we have been assisting
international expeditionary vessels continue to operate in PNG waters.
“We act as ships and tour agents for most tourist vessels
visiting PNG and again, the difficulties experienced by the owners of these
vessels deter many from coming back into PNG.
“I will not go into the detail, but excessive charges of
fees levied, overtime claims by officers, inconsistent rules, policies, charges
for services not provided are just some of the obstacles faced in handling
tourist vessels.
“TPA and PNGPorts are seriously
considering ways in which these problems can be eliminated to restore
confidence in attracting motor yachts and cruise ships, as like other segments
in the tourism industry, cruise ship operators class PNG as one of the most-exciting
and interesting destinations in the world.”
So how does Sir Peter see things in his crystal ball?
“It is encouraging to see competition on the Cairns/Port
Moresby route and equally encouraging is the development of more hotel rooms in
Port Moresby,
Rabaul, Madang, Wewak,” he forecasts.
“Regretfully, most of these rooms have not been built to
cater for bona fide tourists, rather, commercial travellers and work related
accommodation due to the development of resource projects under way in PNG.
“Whilst Cairns is gearing up to cater for increased visitors
that are expected to fly in and out of PNG with the LNG project, little is being
done to encourage imported workers to either reside in PNG or take the R and R
(rest and recreation) in PNG.
“It is difficult to force this issue unless confidence can
be restored as to the safety of the various potential tourist destinations in
PNG and this should be one of the tourist industry’s prime objective.
“It makes sense to attract workers in the LNG project to
really see PNG and return to whence they come as good ambassadors, rather than
pessimists, spreading doom and gloom about PNG which is not warranted.
“We spend millions of kina on the development of our natural
resources that ultimately will be exhausted.
“The one industry that is sustainable is tourism and yet it
is not given the priority it deserves in PNG.”
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