PNG envoy to Indonesia is recalled

Papua New Guinea's Ambassador to Indonesia Peter Ilau is being recalled to Waigani for consultations with the government on the Falcon jet incident over Indonesian airspace on November 29 last year.

The O’Neill-Namah government made the decision at their Cabinet meeting yesterday.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said the recall of the PNG head of diplomatic mission in Indonesia was part of the government’s deliberate effort clear the Falcon jet incident.

“We are recalling our PNG Ambassador to Indonesia for consultation,” Neill said.

“Cabinet has supported the continued maintenance of diplomatic relations with Indonesia as being vital to PNG’s long term interest.

“We have decided to request the government of the Republic of Indonesia through diplomatic channels to provide further explanations and clarifications on certain technical matters relating to the Falcon incident and we seek an official report from them on the incident.

“Cabinet further approved and directed the Civil Aviation and Safety Authority and Air Niugini to provide to Cabinet within two weeks, the full report of the incident with appropriate recommendations to fully address the matter.”

O’Neill said the Chief Secretary to Government ManasupeZurenuoc had been directed to coordinate with all key stakeholders of government, including the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade as the lead player for diplomatic dialogue with Indonesia.

“It is our government’s desire to ensure that this incident is adequately and fully resolved as soon as possible, " O’Neill said.

A final goodbye to a beautiful wife

By REG RENAGI

We were young and full of life when we met in the 70s.
We also became good friends since high school for 41 years when it all suddenly ended for me and my beautiful wife from Yule Island.
My marriage came to a terrible end too when my wife and 27 other passengers perished in an air crash in Madang province last October, 2011.
We had been together for 39 years, 3 months and 13 days until that fateful day.
Last Saturday,  7 January 2012, I said my final goodbye to a beautiful wife and friend in an emotional memorial service as a tribute to her.
After the funeral service I took her remains in a small casket (that was all that remained of her) to the Funeral Home to be cremated.
Once there, a brief prayer was said over her casket and I hugged and kissed her casket before leaving it along with the funeral attendants.
I did not immediately leave as I hesitated a while longer with tears running down my cheeks.
I felt so sad and did not want to leave her alone there with strange people who do not know her.
I hated the thought that in a matter of a few hours will reduce her to ashes for me to collect the next day.
I cried the whole weekend and brought her ashes back to the family home on Monday this week.
Yes, she was my best friend for 41 years and God took what was all alone his until the day I am called by him to join my loved ones in heaven.
Goodbye my darling, Louise Toto Miria; and I will forever be grateful to you for making me very happy during your short time on earth.
May your beautiful soul rest in eternal peace

Kerevat National High School to remain open

Keravat National High School will remain open for the 2012 school year and its past administrative discrepancies will be investigated, says Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

“Closure of the school is not an option,” O’Neill said today. 

“Our government will not allow our young people to be denied grades 11 and 12 education at Kerevat. “Our government has introduced a free and subsidised education policy that must benefit all school children starting this year.

“I have directed the Minister for Education to keep the school open and have it restored to its former glory after necessary investigations are made into the school’s past maladministration and mismanagement of its development and rehabilitation funds.”

He said Education Minister Theo Zurenuoc had been directed to establish an investigation into mismanagement of the school and misapplication of its development and rehabilitation funds over the last five years.

“I have also directed that a new principal be appointed for the school and its existing governing board be suspended and replaced by an interim board to facilitate the investigations,” O’Neill said.

He said the investigation would also evaluate the scope of national government funding required to redevelop the school.

He said the deliberate intervention was made to rescue the school from eminent closure due to rundown condition of classrooms and dormitories.

NGOs demand K430 million compensation from Indonesia

By JEFFREY ELAPA

A GROUP of people led by non-governmental organisations yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the Indonesian embassy in Port Moresby – and demanded K430 million compensation from Jakarta, The National reports.
The group demanded an apology from the Indonesian government over its handling of the “airspace” drama last November in which it scrambled two fighter jets to track the private Falcon jet carrying three PNG government ministers and others from Malaysia to Port Moresby.
The incident is currently the subject of a diplomatic row between the two neighbouring nations.
From 7am yesterday, the group of people led by the Morobe Coalition for Justice and Peace and other NGOs arrived at the gates of the Indonesian embassy to present a petition to the ambassador.
It demanded an apology and compensation of US$250 million (K435.55m) for the Indonesian military’s treatment of the PNG leaders travelling in a civilian jet.
The banners put up around the embassy and the gate leading to the embassy described Indonesia as a “Terrorist in the Pacific”. It is accused of continuously intimidating and harassing innocent citizens and leaders of PNG – like what the world’s largest Muslim nation is accused of doing to West Papua.
Other placards read ‘Indonesian bullying act of terror”, “respect our sovereignty”, “We are a democratic society free from intimidation”. Others read “Indonesia must apologise and pay US$250 million” – the amount they said Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah was carrying.
The protestors were advised by the office of the prime minister that officers from the Department of Foreign Affairs would receive the petition on behalf of the Indonesian embassy.
Police mobile squad units from Mt Hagen and McGregor, in Port Moresby, negotiated with
the protesters to remove the banners and free the embassy area so that their petition could be presented at the National Archive forum oval.
Acting secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigrations Alexis Maino said he had not received any petition

Namah denies carrying US$250m

DEPUTY Prime Minister Belden Namah has denied carrying US$250 million on the Air Niugini Falcon Jet flight to Port Moresby as claimed by the Indonesians, The National reports.
Namah said it was a joke and a shame for the Indonesian intelligence to say that he was laundering huge sums of money into the country.
“If they are talking about money-laundering, they need to look further and find out which country tops the list of money-laundering in the world.
"Not PNG.
“It is the first time to learn that someone in PNG was bringing a lot of money into the country and I deny that. I have never handled US$250 million,” Namah said.
“This is an outrageous defamation of my character as a vibrant young leader of this country.
“This is poor and rubbish intelligence,” he said.
Namah, who is a former PNG Defence Force captain, said he was a graduate intelligence officer and, for the Indonesians to say and act in an aggressive manner and use their military jets is an act of intimidation and aggression on a civil plane owned by the government of PNG.
He said the plane and the passengers’ belongings had to go through customs’ clearance, a requirement for all international flights in and out of a country.

O'Neill and Namah make peace

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his deputy Belden Namah reportedly made peace late yesterday after a war of words following the Indonesia fiasco.

Namah had called for O’Neill’s resignation earlier yesterday.

But late yesterday, O’Neill and Namah embraced each other, which was on a picture on the front page of the Post-Courier.

This blog hits the half million mark!

This blog http://malumnalu.blogspot.com/ is just about to hit the 500,000 mark and is also rated by international rankings agency Alexa as one of the biggest and most-popular websites in Papua New Guinea http://www.alexa.com/topsites/category/Top/Regional/Oceania/Papua_New_Guinea.

I'll have to get a bottle of champagne tomorrow.

Peter O'Neill: I will not resign

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has rejected calls by his deputy Belden Namah to resign.

Namah today called on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to resign.

He says his fate will be decided in parliament Tuesday week, January 17, 2012.

Namah attacked O'Neill in today's FM100 radio talkback show with Roger Hauofa. 

However, O'Neill told a press conference today that he would not resign, and stressed the need for "mature" leaders.

Namah, meantime, did not attend a press conference this afternoon after he surprised many people with his call for O'Neill to resign. 

Protest to Indonesian embassy

Peaceful protest march to Indonesian Embassy by a small group of people today to protest against the incident over Indonesian airspace involving Air Niugini's Falcon jet and two Indonesian fighter jets.
They have been told to give their petition to PNG Foreign Affairs, who will pass it on to the Indonesian Embassy.

Namah calls on O'Neill to resign

Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has called on Prime Minister Peter O'Neill to resign.

He says his fate will be decided in parliament Tuesday week, January 17, 2012.

Namah attacked O'Neill in today's FM100 radio talkback show with Roger Hauofa.

Belden Namah on the Indonesia incident

By BELDEN NAMAH

Deputy Prime Minister

Firstly, it must be noted that all necessary procedures were followed in sorting the International Airspace clearance by our pilots prior to the flight. 

All approvals were given to fly over Indonesian Airspace. Indonesian Authorities through that clearance knew very well who was on board the PNG VIP Falcon Jet.

On board the Falcon Jet were the Deputy Prime Minister, Honourable Belden Norman Namah, Minister for National Planning and Monitoring, Honourable Sam Basil, Minister for Police, Honourable John Boito and Oil Palm investors from Malaysia and the air crew.

The incident happened on the 29th of November 2011. 

On that morning we had just departed Subang Airport in Malaysia destined for Port Moresby enroute Singapore and Indonesian airspace after getting all the necessary clearance by Malaysian Customs. 

As we were flying over Makassar in Indonesia we were intercepted by two Indonesian fighter jets. 

When our pilots enquired with the Indonesian Authorities of the incident they could not give any specific reasons for the intercept.

This to me as a former military officer with Papua New Guinea Defence Force is an act of intimidation and aggression by Indonesian military. 

Especially, on a civillian VIP aircraft of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. 

We are a helpless country. 

We do not have the military might that Indonesia has and we also do not posses the miltary hardware or ammourments that they have. 

The Question Remains; WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR SUCH AN ACT????????????????

From what I read from the daily newspapers; they (Indonesian Authorities) acted on a tip off saying that the VIP Falcon Jet was carrying US$250million. 

This was allegedly revealed by Indonesian Intelligence Organisation.

1. The actions by Indonesian military MUST BE CONDEMNED IN THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS. Imagine if the Falcon Jet belonged to Australia, New Zealand, America or China for that matter and it was carrying their Deputy Prime Ministers or the Vice Presidents. What would be their reaction? I leave that for you to conclude.

2. The allegation of the US$250million is DENIED CATAGORICALLY. Imagine carrying such a large amount of money on the small Falcon Jet. You would probably need 20 Falcon Jets to transport that kind of cash. The realty is; You would need 2x40 foot containers to pack the money. ' IT IS A TOTAL JOKE.'

Finally, it is in this kind of test that the nations must stand united forgetting their differences and upholding their pledge to their motherland. Papua New Guineans MUST now learn to be NATIONALISTIC AND PATRIOTIC. WE MUST PROTECT OUR SOVEREINGNITY.

GOD BLESS PNG.

Somare: Probe politicians laundering money

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare said allegations that some members of parliament were involved in money-laundering was serious and should be investigated, The National reports.
Sir Michael called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to come clean about the activities of his deputy and members of parliament in his camp.
“Papua New Guinea has signed many international conventions to condemn transnational crimes such as money-laundering, human trafficking and terrorism,” Sir Michael said.
“The allegations of money-laundering cannot be taken lightly and, if government resources are used such as the Falcon jet, then, a full investigation must be undertaken.
“Equally, it is disgraceful that members of parliament should be implicated in a money-laundering scandal.
“That aside, all past PNG governments have respected the sovereignty of other countries that have diplomatic missions in our country.
“We are not unique in the world in having border issues and our friendly relations has helped both countries deal with matters in a mature manner over the years.
“Therefore, as deputy leader of the O’Neill regime, Namah should not be making such outbursts until a complete report of the incident is available and, if need be, proper investigations are carried out.
“As it is, Namah reacted badly after the newspaper report last week.
“This is disgraceful behaviour as he had more than a month to lodge his complaint through the normal diplomatic means available to him.”

Indonesia admits to sending fighter jets

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

INDONESIA has admitted sending its jet fighters to intercept an aircraft carrying top Papua New Guinea officials, a move which has driven diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries to a new low, The National reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has threatened to expel Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Andreas Sitepu from Port Moresby if the Indonesian government fails to provide an explanation for the incident within 48 hours.
The incident took place on Nov 29 when Namah and several senior government officials flew through Indonesian airspace en route to Port Moresby from Malaysia.
The Jakarta Post reported last Friday that the Indonesian foreign ministry had stated in a press statement that the interception by the air force was due to “technical issues”, specifically data differences, in regards to the aircraft’s flight clearance.
“The measures that Indonesia carried out, in this case the interception of the aircraft by the air force, were in line with existing procedures in Indonesia and other countries in general,” the ministry said.
“The national air defence command (Kohanudnas) was conducting an electronic identification with radar and a visual identification by intercepting (the aircraft) according to standard procedures, and no harm occurred,” it added.
The ministry further said Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had explained the incident to PNG ambassador Peter Ilau.
“The PNG ambassador to Indonesia has expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian foreign minister’s explanation, and said he would convey the message to his government,” he said.
But the defence ministry refused to acknowledge the incident.
Ministry spokesman Brig-Gen Hartind Asrin said no aircraft had ever tried to intercept PNG’s aircraft as claimed by the PNG government.
“PNG’s deputy prime minister flew from Kuala Lumpur to Port Moresby on Nov 29, but nothing happened,” he said.
“I have talked to our defence attaché in Port Moresby, and there have been no complaints filed by the PNG government or any other fuss regarding the claim.”
Hartind said if any aircraft had tried to intercept the PNG jet, “they were probably from other countries”.
Two Indonesian  air force fighters intercepted the Falcon Jet over Indonesian airspace on Nov 29 and was not reported until The National broke the story last Friday.
Namah said the jet fighters were acting aggressively with the intention to intimidate.
“I am very angry. I demand an explanation.
“If I do not get an explanation within 48 hours, all diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will be strained,” Namah said.

Captain: I saw fighter jets retreating

THE captain of the Air Niugini Falcon jet has revealed being intercepted by two Indonesian fighter planes despite numerous radio prior clearance and radio contacts with Indonesian air traffic, The National reports.
An operations occurrence report submitted by Capt Christopher Smith said on Nov 29, he was in command of the flight P2ANW operating from Subong (Kuala-Lumpur) to Port Moresby with a crew of three and eight passengers.
“Between the hours of 0312z and 0320z we were intercepted by military jet aircraft in the vicinity of Makassar Vor on A215 Airway over Indonesian airspace at Fl390,” he reported.
Smith said that two days earlier, an Indonesian overflight permit was obtained via Universal Weather to operate a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the permit was valid for a period of seven days which would cover subsequent flights.
“On the morning of Nov 29, P2ANW departed Kuala Lumpur (Subong) without incident transitioning through Singapore’s airspace, navigating on our assigned route of flight. At 70 distance measuring equipment (DME) while communicating with Jakarta control, we received a traffic alert (TA) on our traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) device.
“The approaching aircraft then descended further which required no maneuvering on our part. As the pilot monitoring (and sitting in the right seat) of his particular leg, I notified Jakarta that we just received a TA and gave them DME reading from Makassar,” he said.
“The air control responded by giving us a frequency change to contact Ujung (Makassar) control on 127.5.”
Smith said they responded by giving them a frequency change to contact Ujung resolution advisory giving them climbing instruction and to monitor vertical speed.
Capt Vincent Kipma (flying the sector from left seat) disengaged the auto pilot and complied with TCSA system commands to avoid a collision.
Smith said the TCSA showed the position of the aircraft to be off their left which Capt Kipma acknowledged visually as a military jet fighter.
He said he radioed Ujung control explaining what was happening and queried several times the reason for the engagement as they had not prior warning.
The response, he said, was to report to the next reporting point which was Makassar.
“An unidentified voice (presumably the military jet pilot) said to contact Ujung without other instructions.”
Smith said he looked out his window and saw two fighter jets to their right and 500ft below retreating.
“As a crew, we began to analyse the event, trying to determine the reason for such a bizarre confrontation.
“We were on course and on altitude.
Both Jakarta and Ujung’s radio transmissions were poor but readable.
“In an effort to cover all options, I asked Ujung control if they had overflight permit on file and they responded with an affirmative.
“A phone call was made to Universal Weather from the flight phone explaining the engagement and to check the validity of the overflight permit and they acknowledged that it was also valid.”
The Indonesians had also admitted to scrambling two fighter jets to escort the Falcon over their airspace on its way to Port Moresby

Prime Minister: Indonesians here to stay

By ISAAC NICHOLAS


PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has reassured Jakarta that his government has no intention of expelling the Indonesian ambassador or closing the Indonesian embassy in Port Moresby over the Nov 29 Falcon jet incident over Indonesian airspace, The National reports.
In direct contrast to his deputy Belden Namah’s 48-hour ultimatum last Friday which included recalling PNG embassy staff in Jakarta, O’Neill said yesterday that he was satisfied with the Indonesian government response to the mid-air incident involving the Air Niugini Falcon jet.
In a statement, he also reassured Indonesia of maintaining diplomatic relations.
O’Neill said he was satisfied with Indonesia’s immediate formal response on Saturday to the Falcon being tracked by two Indonesian air force combat aircraft on Nov 29 while en route home from Malaysia.
The government formally protested diplomatically to Indonesia last Friday.
The aircraft was on a private charter, not official mission, he added.
O’Neill accepted and thanked the Indonesian government for its high-level explanation that the incident arose out of a “discrepancy of the original flight clearance authority” issued by the Indonesian government for the Falcon aircraft.
According to the Indonesian government, the approval for the Falcon jet to use Indonesian airspace was for the period Dec 3-17 and not Nov 29, the day of the incident.
The Indonesian government was carrying out further investigations internally to verify if there was any formal approval granted for the Falcon Jet to use Indonesian airspace on Nov 29.
O’Neill said Jakarta further explained that its air force aircraft engagement with the Falcon jet was to “visually identify the aircraft and followed both their strict domestic standard operating procedures and normal international aviation practices” that deal with such situations.
When it was established that the aircraft belong to the PNG Government, the Indonesian fighter jets retreated, he said.
O’Neill was reassured that there was “never any ill-intention or threat posed to the Falcon jet and its passengers and flight crew by the Indonesian fighter aircraft.
He described the incident was most unfortunate and directed relevant authorities, including Air Niugini and Civil Aviation Authority, to carry out further internal investigations on the flight clearance arrangements for the Falcon flight and to ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
“All international civil aviation rules and regulations must be upheld at all times for any international flights by PNG aircraft.”
O’Neill reiterated that it was vital that both PNG and Indonesia continue to maintain diplomatic presence and dialogue in the respective capitals as they strengthen existing bilateral cooperation.
“As close and friendly neighbours in the Asia Pacific region, it is in both our interest to ensure that the bilateral ties build on solid foundations that have already been laid, over the years need to be safeguarded and sustained.”
He also directed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade solely take charge of this important bilateral matter with Indonesia.

Belden Nama on the Falcon incident in Indonesia

Interesting to watch BELDEN NAMA on the 6pm EMTV news saying that it will take "10 to 20 Falcon jets" to load US$250 million in cash.

He also warned Indonesia to explain by tomorrow. 

On the other hand, PM Peter O'Neill says Indonesia-PNG relations will not be tarnished by the incident.

Yehiura 'Angwi' Hriewazi's death

Toksave to all friends, family members and journalists that veteran journalist YEHIURA ' ANWI' HRIEWAZI passed away in the early hours of this morning...such a young man