These are pictures of a traditional singsing group from Watut, Morobe province, which I took during a visit to the area with Bulolo MP Sam Basil last October.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
No room for military in newsrooms, says Pacific Freedom Forum
Tuesday, April 14: A PACIFIC media freedom and advocacy organization, the Pacific Freedom Forum, has expressed deep sadness and outrage at developments in
“As Pacific neighbours, we must not consider renewed intimidation of
He says the Pacific Freedom Forum, along with other media freedom organizations world wide, “is horrified at the installation of censors in Fiji Newsrooms following the Easter abrogation of Fiji's 1997 Constitution, the deportation of more journalists whose news feeds inform Pacific nations including Fiji, and the re-installation of the military government .”
"This is the age of the Internet, and satellite broadcasting is widely received across
"Putting police or soldiers into newsrooms who are not equipped to make informed judgments about the content of the news serves no useful purpose, and is an obvious big-brother bullying tactic aimed at monitoring not just what goes into the newspapers, but the contacts and working-culture of journalists as they go about their daily work," says PFF Co-chair Monica Miller.
"This move given the continuing sanctions and tactics by the current regime, may soon lead to complete shutdowns of the media outlets that refuse to denounce their ethics. This will eventually render affected employees without income for their families, and lead to the kind of disorder and disaffection which the emergency regulations describe. It's very clearly aimed at one sector of society only.”
Ms Miller, a former President of the Pacific Islands News Association, says the Pacific region cannot stand by in silence and watch as the people of
Radio
"The current and worsening situation is tragic and illustrates the need for us all to protect and cherish the right to free speech and freedom of information," she says.
"A government with some understanding of this basic human right would go about setting up and running its own media outlets to publish and broadcast what it likes and let the audiences have the final say."
The Pacific Freedom Forum, with active members among Pacific journalists, editors, producers, and journalism academics, will soon be launching an online petition for signature by any individual or group worldwide willing to express continuing strong solidarity with our colleagues in
CONTACT:
PFF interim Chair
Susuve Laumaea | Sunday Chronicle Newspaper |
PFF interim co-Chair
Monica Miller | KHJ Radio |
Mob 684 258-4197 | Office 684 633-7793 | Email: monica@khjradio.com
The Pacific Freedom Forum are a regional and global online network of Pacific media colleagues, with the specific intent of raising awareness and advocacy of the right of Pacific people to enjoy freedom of expression and be served by a free and independent media.
We believe in the critical and basic link between these freedoms, and the vision of democratic and participatory governance pledged by our leaders in their endorsement of the Pacific Plan and other commitments to good governance.
In support of the above, our key focus is monitoring threats to media freedom and bringing issues of concern to the attention of the wider regional and international community.
Passenger ferry
Hundreds of passengers, including students who were going to Lae to attend the week-long bible camp at Bumayong Lutheran Secondary, had crowded the Buki wharf, Finschhafen, Morobe province, so tightly that it was impossible for those disembarking to get off the Lutheran Shipping Services catamaran when it berthed just after lunch last Thursday.
Monday, April 13, 2009
BlackBerry Season in Papua New Guinea
Captions: Digicel BlackBerries available in Papua New Guinea: 1. BlackBerry Bold. 2. BlackBerry Curve,. 3. BlackBerry Pearl
How Bulolo MP Sam Basil is emulating the feats of tech-savvy Barack Obama
Papua New Guinea only got into BlackBerry technology in February this year, thanks to Digicel, but one politician is already using this big-time to the max.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil is already using BlackBerry technology to take and email high resolution photographs as well as stories to the media from rural areas in his electorate.
This was epitomised during the recent conflict in Wau when he tooked and emailed photos as well as stories right from the scene to the newspapers.
This worked very much to the advantage of The National, because as there wasn’t any reporter available at the time to travel up to Wau, Mr Basil was a politician-cum-journalist.
He is arguably the first PNG politician to use BlackBerry technology in such a way and has already become the tech-savvy Digicel pin-up boy for this gadget.
I say tech-savvy because Bulolo, albeit a rural area, has over the last two years seen a communications revolution in which more people are using telephones and internet there because of their MP.
BlackBerry technology has been around the Westernised countries for some time now and was only introduced in PNG this year to cater for the needs of businessmen and professionals.
A first in the country, this means Digicel, which is still on 2.5 Generation System, is now using GPRS technology that supports e-mail, voice and text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services.
GPRS refers to general packet radio service, a packet-oriented mobile data service available to users of the 2G-2.5G cellular communication system called global system for mobile communications (GSM), as well as in the 3G systems.
GPRS enhances 2G and 2.5 systems to work close to the performance of 3G networks.
With BlackBerry, the user can check Hotmail, update FaceBook, IM Friends on Skype, Google Talk, or read the news online.
BlackBerry, a wireless handheld device, is used by more than 20 million subscribers across the world.
“It is a mobile office for the dynamic professional,” was how John Mangos, Digicel PNG chief executive described their new offering.
This new product comes after the Digicel launched its mobile internet in Port Moresby.
However, the new service would be rolled out to other parts of the country in the coming months.
Subscribers with internet-capable handsets can access the web via their Digicel handset, starting in the National Capital District and Lae.
Digicel says it will roll-out BlackBerry and GPRS services across PNG in coming months.
“Blackberry will allow the users manage their business and online activities, while away from the desk, and on the road,” Mr Mangos said.
“Digicel has set another mobile telecommunications landmark for PNG, with the introduction of Blackberry.
“Now users will be able to work on the go, with their email and office functions on their Blackberry smart phone.
“Digicel believes this will add to the ease and efficiency of doing business in PNG, which would in turn boost overall economic productivity and development in this country.”
Digicel’s Blackberry roll-out comprises three handsets (pictured): the Bold (K1, 799); Curve (K1, 399); and Pearl (K1, 199) and are available to Digicel’s post-paid subscribers only.
Blackberry Silver has 20MB with monthly fee of K70; gold, 100MB (K155); and platinum, 500MB (K335).
Mr Basil, who was invited to the USA in January this year for the inauguration of Barack Obama, is a big fan of the man.
It took only a few seconds for Barack Obama to go from ordinary citizen to the most powerful man in the world - the 44th President of the United States.
Many believe that his understanding and use of social networking tools to reach voters gave him a distinct advantage over other candidates.
He is well known as a fan of technology.
He is an avid Blackberry user, the first president to air his weekly address via video websites and the first to have an official portrait taken with a digital camera.
The internet and technology are credited with helping Mr Obama win the presidency.
From social networking sites to blogs and from iPhone applications to text messaging, Mr Obama used the power of these hi-tech tools to get his message out, raise money, galvanise voters and get him elected.
Now some in the industry think it could be "pay-back time" as they looks to the country's first tech savvy President to do his bit to push technology into a new era.
"He is the first real president who seems to understand technology and the needs of the industry," said Tim O'Reilly, the man credited with coining the term 'web 2.0' and who is generally regarded as one of the industry's visionaries.
"The guy's my age," said commentator and founder of Wired magazine John Battelle.
"This guy grew up knowing what an apple is besides the thing you eat, and using e-mail and Twitter.
“He understands what Facebook is and he has young kids that are completely digital.
"I think there is a general sense that he and the people he will employ totally get the web."
"Of the people"
Silicon Valley's wish list and the President-elect's to do list are not all that different.
They have touted green energy, improved broadband connectivity and accessibility, investment in the sciences, advancing biomedical and stem cell research, creating the workforce of tomorrow, and open and transparent government and investment in research and development and education as common aims.
Mr Basil called me before leaving for Washington DC to attend the inauguration.
He wanted to set up a website of his electorate as well as one of his US-Government funded trip to attend the inauguration.
I told him that blogs were fast replacing websites as the fastest-growing means of mass communication in the world – now even replacing traditional media such as newspapers, radio and television - and that his best bet was to start up a blog.
I also told him that Mr Obama was hailed throughout his campaign and transition as a politician who makes clever use of technology to communicate his message.
After dinner, he hooked up his laptop, and I helped him to set up a blog for the Bulolo electorate and another for his trip to the USA.
He is, as far as I know, the first PNG MP to have a blog, as opposed to a website.
For matters of transparency and accesibility, Mr Basil has also listed down all his contact details, including email addresses and mobile phones, so that everyone can be in touch with him.
He has now gone a giant step forward with his BlackBerry.
Gone are the staid days of Mr Basil’s predecessors, replaced by a dynamic new means of communication reflective of the tech-savvy incumbent.
Bulolo vanilla farmers prepare for another windfall
Captions: 1. Farmers Tuk Tuky and Paul Kama with their vanilla cuttings.Picture by SAM BASIL.2. Simon Koneleus of Witipos village in Mumeng, Morobe province, getting ready to distribute 5, 000 vanilla cuts for the Bulolo district. Picture by SAM BASIL.
Farmers in Bulolo, Morobe province, are not waiting for another predicted vanilla bonanza to catch them by surprise.
The farmers, in anticipation of another windfall and with the support of their MP Sam Basil, received 5,000 vanilla cuts for planting last weekend.
The vanilla cuts were sourced from Situm Growers Association for K5, 000,” Mr Basil said.
“The delivery was taken care of by the Bulolo District Road Maintenance Programme vehicles.
“I believe vanilla prices may bounce back in a few years time and my people must be well-placed to enjoy the high prices when it happens.
“About 10,000 vanilla cuts were distributed three years ago, and the farmers are now asking for a vanilla specialist to be made available to show them how to pollinate and treat the vanilla beans.”
The PNG Spice Industry Board recently urged PNG farmers to produce high quality vanilla in anticipation of increased prices in the near future.
The board predicted an increased demand for our vanilla due to an expected short supply on the world market.
Chief executive officer Michael Waisime called on registered spice exporters to advise farmers to reactivate and rehabilitate their vanilla farms as prices were expected to increase favorably during this harvest season.
More awareness and training amongst farmers is needed to maintain proper curing practices to improve quality.
Exporters were reminded to coordinate with their farmers to produce high-grade vanilla to maximise on this market opportunity.
Mr Waisime said the world’s major supplier of vanilla, Madagascar, has had 80% of its vanilla plantings affected by an underground incurable crop disease.
Civil unrest in the country has also affected vanilla production.
He said supply of vanilla on the world market was down by 60% and the shortfall needed to be met by other vanilla-producing countries including PNG.
He said PNG, the fourth-largest producer in the world, stood to gain with increased demand for its vanilla and subsequently prices for organic vanilla were expected to rise worldwide.
Mr Waisime said according to information received by the SIB, there might be massive government intervention including appropriate research work to revive the vanilla industry in Madagascar.
It was estimated that world supply of vanilla would face a shortfall for the next five years or more.
Mr Waisime said his office had detailed a number of measures that registered spice exporters needed to adhere to.
These include submitting 2008 export returns and statements, review of forward contract sale for 2009, and review of farm gate prices.
He urged exporters, producers and interested people to contact his office for more information.
However, observers in the spice industry have cautioned the vanilla producers and farmers nationwide not to get excited like what was experienced several years ago when PNG had a vanilla boom.
PNG producers must not get carried away and should seek more information from the SIB and agricultural agencies.
Divine Word University opens supermarket on Madang campus
Captions: 1.The front of the Diwai Mart Mini supermarket with the two automatic teller machines of two commercial banks on either side of the entrance before the facility was opened recently. 2. President of the Students Representative Council at
A mini supermarket that will help fund a laptop computer for each student at
The one-laptop-per-student project is part of the DWU’s “paperless university” policy which comes into effect next year.
Student Representative Council president Robroy Chicki and his vice female Joanne Kilip opened the flashy new supermarket, named Diwai Mart, in the presence of DWU’s academic vice-president Br Andrew Simpson, staff and students.
The facility was opened by the DWU chaplain Fr Edward Meli.
The two student leaders said students and the university community should be proud of the new supermarket as they would serve them.
Ms Kilip said as students the presence of a supermarket makes life easier for them as they do not have to travel to town for basic necessities and services including access to the banks’ automatic teller machine.
Br Simpson in urging the students and the university community to appreciate the new facility said proceeds from Diwai Mart would be used to finance a laptop each for all students starting next year.
“It is a very significant time for the University to see the development of supermarket.
“It belongs to you and profits from it will finance a free laptop,” said Br Simpson.
The supermarket has a bakery, a hair salon, a kai bar, ice cream parlor and two ATMs belonging to Bank South Pacific and ANZ Bank respectively.
The paperless policy will require all academic and administrative work to be done using the ICT facilities provided by the university and limit the use of paper and printed material to unavoidable circumstances.
Missionaries, Headhunters & Colonial Officers
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Captions: 1. Book cover. 2. Christopher Robinson (1872 – 1904) the first Australian born governor of British
James Chalmers was the so-called “Livingstone of New Guinea”.
He was a star in the London Missionary Society’s firmament.
For 34 years from the 1860s onwards he preached the Gospel in the
He also loved whisky, enjoyed exploring the unknown territory and had a genuine rapport with the Papuan people.
But not even this charisma and courage could save him when late in his career he and his party were lured into an ambush on
They were beheaded and eaten by the natives.
It is the Goaribari incident that lies at the heart of Peter Maiden’s extraordinary history of what was then British New Guinea.
This is a history that proves that fact is indeed stranger than fiction.
Sorcery, magic, head-hunting and cannibalism were rife.
To possess a skull collection was to enhance one’s standing in the spirit world.
In 1901, on
The second half of Maiden’s history focuses on the career and tragic end of the very first Australian-born governor of British New Guinea, the
He arrived in BNG in May 1903 and soon afterwards witnessed a savage conflict between the native constabulary and Papuan warriors.
In March 1904, Governor Robinson committed a catastrophic error in the Goaribari Affray.
June 9th, 1903, was a proud day for Queenslanders in general, but most particularly for the people of
Robinson spent practically all his life in
Christopher was educated in
A clever student, Robinson graduated top of his year and was admitted as a solicitor in 1895.
He practiced law briefly on the Etheridge and Croydon goldfields, before returning to
He was a handsome and highly presentable bachelor and the first Australian born governor of BNG.
However, it was a difficult assignment and despite his legal skills Robinson was quite inexperienced.
For this shortcoming he was to pay a terrible price.
In 1903,
Sorcery, cannibalism and headhunting were endemic in Papuan society.
Sorcery was a criminal offence but still it flourished.
Its practitioners “spoke” directly to the Spirit World and could simply frighten a Papuan to death.
A sorcerer had only to tap his victim on the shoulder, tell him he would soon die and within a week the unfortunate native would be in his grave.
And these magicians seemed omnipotent.
In 1903, for instance, a disgruntled sorcerer in eastern
The men were panic stricken,
Headhunting was another obsession.
To possess a skull collection was to enhance one’s standing in the spirit world.
In 1901, on
Even as late as 1957, Australian government officials on one occasion confiscated 78 skulls on Papua’s
Fortunately, cannibalism was not quite as widely practiced.
As one writer, Wilfred Beaver, pointed out, “the population would eventually be reduced to small proportions”, if everybody was a cannibal.
The weakest tribes were most vulnerable.
West of Port Moresby the Mohohai tribe, according to Beaver, was regarded as “a kind of larder” for the predatory Ukiaravi warriors.
Elsewhere, the Scottish missionary, James Chalmers, newly arrived at Suau in 1878, was pleased to be invited to his first tribal feast – before learning that a terrified young boy was on the menu.
Chalmers, the so-called “Livingstone of New Guinea” was a star in the London Missionary Society’s firmament.
For 34 years he served in the
Chalmers was a physically impressive man with a commanding presence and he possessed a cool head in a dangerous situation.
He liked whisky, loved exploring the magnificent countryside and had a genuine, albeit paternal affection for the Papuan people.
But for a white man, life in
‘If a man escaped dying of fever in the first three weeks he was eaten by cannibals within the fourth week’, wrote Wilfred Beaver.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, even the humble toothache could be a major problem.
With dental help thousands of kilometres away, treatment could be crude: “A red-hot wire jammed into the gum, or a crystal of crude carbolic inserted into the raging stump.”
Murder and massacres were commonplace.
In 1900 a single government patrol led by the ex-Queensland policeman, turned magistrate, William Armit, killed at least 54 natives on the
In 1901 Alexander Elliot’s constables killed 42
On another patrol, magistrate Allan Walsh’s men disposed of 32 more Papuans in 1902, and in 1903, Whitmore ‘Old Shoot and Loot’ Monckton, a highly regarded magistrate, allowed his constables to kill 18 Paiwa natives.
Of course, the Papuan warriors, too, were aggressive.
Numerous lonely miners and missionaries met with a grisly end, most notably in 1901 when the Reverend Chalmers’ party of 12 was lured into an ambush on
There they were beheaded and eaten by natives.
This atrocity demanded revenge and more than 20 Goaribaris were killed in a government reprisal raid.
Soon after arriving in BNG, Christopher Robinson joined a government patrol along the
This patrol appears to have soured Robinson’s attitude towards the Papuans.
Afterwards, Robinson seemed to show little sympathy to the indigenous population.
He once declared that he had “an intense loathing” for these “inhuman creatures”.
He had no friends among the colourful
Robinson was capable and one local identity described him as ‘one of the most promising officers
Others, though, believed he was arrogant, and even frightened by the very people he was supposed to be protecting.
In March 1904 Robinson led a strongly armed commando to Goaribari, intent on arresting those responsible for the Chalmers’ missionary massacre.
Unfortunately his serious mismanagement of a confrontation with the Goaribaris became the subject of a sensational Royal Commission in
While the native bowmen fired only a handful of arrows in anger, Robinson’s men replied with a murderous fusillade of 250 rounds.
At least eight natives were shot dead and two European witnesses testified that the governor had shot at least three of the Papuans.
Robinson’s career prospects were in tatters.
The lonely young governor, now afflicted with a severe bout of malaria lost heart and fell into a mood of deep depression that worsened as the date of the Royal commission approached.
Finally, on June 20th, 1904, Robinson took his own life under the flagpole at government house,
This is a history that makes the clash of the proselytising white colonials with the Papuan warriors come vividly alive.
It is a story of dedication and courage, but also a story of tragic failure.
A riveting read.
Missionaries, Cannibals and Colonial Officers
British
Written by Peter Maiden
My reading over Easter
I had a great Easter weekend with my four young children at home as well as went through a lot of reading, especially on the history of
This is not my first time to read these books, and they are certainly not hot off the press, but given all the problems the country is currently going through, I felt duty-bound to read through and refresh my history.
I will do same with all PNG books in my collection.
I spent the best part of Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday reading two absorbing books of PNG history – Michael J Leahy’s Explorations into Highlands New Guinea and Peter Maiden’s Missionaries, Headhunters and Colonial Officers.
A review of Missionaries, Headhunters and Colonial Officers is given separately above.
Explorations into Highlands
This is the diary of five years spent in hot pursuit – not of honor and glory, but of excitement and riches – by one such adventurer Michael ‘Mick’ Leahy, his brothers Jim and Pat, and friends Mick Dwyer and Jim Taylor.
Leahy and his associates explored the unknown interior of
Their explorations recounted here probably represent the last of their kind in this century.
The discovery of gold in New Guinea in 1926 lured Mick Leahy (and a short time later his brothers Pat, Jim and Dan) into an adventure that resulted in important geologic, geographic, and ethnographic observations of Stone Age people in a region unknown to the rest of the world at that time.
Compelling reading for all who want to know about the history of a fascinating country!
Alcohol and drugs must cease in Papua New Guinea
By LYTHIA SUITAWA
CONSUMPTION of alcohol and drugs are revolting habits that must cease if
“Alcohol and drug abuse continues to infiltrate youths and matured workers alike in this country,” he said.
“Youths are making drinking their God because they learn from their fathers and mothers.
“The society must check itself and discard this habit.”
Prof Siaguru said many times alcohol and drug abuse caused youths as well as adults to assault, destroy or simply act in manners that defeated reason.
“The actions of a good majority of youths (and adults) today leave a lot to be desired,” he said.
“To be a God-fearing country, we must strive to follow procedures, compliance, good governance and live with disciplined and respectful principles.
“Sadly, many young Papua New Guineans allow themselves to stray from a disciplined code of conduct and create situations that place them in conflict with the law and they end up in cells and jails throughout the country which are simply filling up.”
He said young Papua New Guineans must begin to respect and obey the rule of law for a better country for themselves and their children.
Citing a recent report in the media on the high incidences of alcohol and sex related cases before the courts implicating university students, Prof Siaguru also urged educational institutions to unite to rid their campuses of what he termed as “alcohol related nonsense”.
“In a developing country with very little financial resources, we expect our educated youths to be responsible and humble enough to accept that the education sector receives very little financial attention from the government purse and whatever little we have acquired, we must care for,” he said.
He said students must accept that their present responsibility in society now is to successfully complete their studies.
The three-day TSCF event, which attracted more than 1000 students from tertiary institutions and secondary schools throughout the country as well as visitors from
Fuel prices rise slightly in the wake of international demand
Domestic fuel prices have risen slightly following increased international demand for refined fuels.
Diesel increased the most (about 9 percent) with unleaded gasoline (ULP) and kerosene rising only marginally.
InterOil President Bill Jasper said the April fuel cost structures reflected the volatility of the international marketplace.
“It is driven by perceptions of future demand,” he said.
“Last month both diesel and kerosene eased in price, this month they have increased.
“Presently the overriding perception on international markets is that demand will increase in the months ahead as various government economic stimulus measures around the world begin to take effect.
“Unless supply also increases, higher international demand forces up the price, an economic fact we have seen in evidence during the past eighteen months.
“The price changes we are experiencing here in
“We are part of the international community and, as such, are not immune from the effects of what is happening overseas.
Mr. Jasper said there were two sets of forces in play.
“On one hand we have an international recession, which on its own would drive prices down,” he said.
“However, we also have a series of political tensions and civil unrest in oil producing countries in Africa and the
“This coupled with expectations of increased future demand have forced up prices.
“For example, crude oil prices have edged upwards by about 10% in recent months.”
Crude prices are well below the record high of mid-2008 when they hit around $US150 a barrel.
The volatile nature of the international marketplace is such that making medium or long predictions is virtually impossible.
“Again we find ourselves at the mercy of a complex array of international factors”, Mr Jasper said.
For further information and to arrange media interviews contact:
Susuve Laumaea
Senior Manager Media Relations InterOil Corporation
Ph: (675) 321 7040
Email: susuve.laumaea@interoil.com
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Collateral damage when the Oil Explorers come
By JOHN FOWKE
Poor old Granddad's passed away, cut off in his prime,
He never had a day off crook - gone before his time,
We found him in the dunny, collapsed there on the seat,
A startled look upon his face, his pants around his feet,
The doctor said his heart was good - fit as any trout,
The Constable, he had his say, 'foul play' was not ruled out.
There were theories at the inquest of snakebite without trace,
Of redback spiders creeping and death from outer space,
No-one had a clue at all - the judge was in some doubt,
When Dad was called to have his say as to how it came about,
'I reckon I can clear it up,' said Dad with trembling breath,
It's a simple story - but it could explain his death.'
'This here exploration mob had been looking at our soil,
And they reckoned that our farm was just the place for oil,
So they came and put a bore down and said they'd make some trials,
They drilled a hole as deep as hell, they said about three miles.
Well, they never found a trace of oil and off they went, post haste,
And I couldn't see a hole like that go to flamin' waste,
So I moved the dunny over it - real smart move I thought,
I'd never have to dig again - I'd never be 'caught short'.
The day I moved the dunny, it looked a proper sight,
But I didn't dream poor Granddad would pass away that night,
Now I reckon what has happened - poor Granddad didn't know,
The dunny was re-located when that night he had to go.
And you'll probably be wondering how poor Granddad did his dash--
Well, he always used to hold his breath
Until he heard the splash!!
Melanesian Law vs Western Law
Captions: 1. Villagers digging a drain for an airstrip in Ogerenang, Morobe district, in 1969. 2. Paul Oates. 3. Paul Oates as a young Australian kiap (patrol officer) at Pindiu, Morobe district, in 1970. 4. Paul Oates supervising construction of Ogerenang airstrip, Morobe district, in 1969. 5. Villagers building the Ogerenang aistrip in Finschhafen, Morobe district, in 1970.Pictures supplied by PAUL OATES.
My two recent Weekender articles in The National on April 27 regarding the violence in Wau, Morobe province, as well as John Fowke’s views on ‘The Melanesian Way’ have brought in mixed reaction from both Papua New Guinea and overseas.
Among those who wrote to me was Paul Oates, a kiap in PNG from 1969-1975, who served in out flung rural areas of Morobe district like Pindiu, Kabwum, Aseki, Wau, Sialum and Finschhafen before being transferred to Port Moresby.
He and his wife and I now run a small property in rural South Eastern Queensland where they breed stud Droughtmaster cattle and grow cabinet timber trees for the future.
“Like many kiaps and their families, I developed an affinity and empathy for
“On my return to
“We paid the price of totally committing our time and effort to a highly-specialised vocation.
“Now with the opportunity to concentrate on matters other than fulltime work, I and many former kiaps, didimen, chalkies, etc, would very much like to help PNG where possible and to educate our fellow Australians about our nearest neighbour.
“There is a move to try and foster more interest in PNG and some of us are trying to have the work of PNG kiaps recognised by the Australian government.
“If this move is successful, it will hopefully raise the profile of PNG in
Mr Oates sent me his thoughts on now Melanesia Law and Western Law could co-exist and how selection exercises could be run without perceived bias.
“The laws of each country are based on a number of principles,” he says.
“In so-called Christian countries or those that have a history of Christian principles, there are some basic tenants of law derived from established precedents that have been laid down over many hundreds of years.
“English Common Law is established on this framework of previous decisions.
“Overlaid on this framework that goes back many centuries, are the laws that various Parliaments have then passed that refine these basic principles and establish rules and regulations under which a modern society regrettably needs to maintain cohesion.
“Sometimes laws are put into effect and then withdrawn when they are no longer required.
“Look at the previous law regarding playing cards in PNG.
“Now how does this square off against traditional Melanesian law?
“When I lived and worked in PNG some people would express to me their thoughts that everything about Western Society seemed to be right and everything about their traditional society appeared to be wrong.
“To this I would say, ‘Nogat tru!’
“There are many aspects of traditional Melanesian society that are, in my opinion, far better than the current precepts of so-called Western society.
“Take for instance how people in the villages look after widows and orphans.
“Look at the notion of family and the support for one's relatives.“Compare this to what happens in many Western countries and see how old people are treated and how the poor of each society are treated.
“Similarly, PNG was able to exist for thousands of years without a police force and traditional culture ensured traditional leaders maintained control over their communities.
“However, when the good aspects of Melanesian society are 'used' in a 'selective way' by those who are also immersed in a Western type culture, problems escalate out of control.
“Look at the 'wantok' system and how this can be used top 'bludge or sponge' off those who have paid work by those who haven't or couldn't be bothered finding it?
“So how can the two types of 'law' operate in practice?”
“So what's my suggestion?
Mr Oates suggested applying the type of legal environment that worked on
“Now how does that fit with PNG at the moment?
“Not all that well I would suggest.
“Why?.... because there are two sets of rules and laws that are being hopelessly mixed up and where you have a mixture and therefore confusion, people are naturally liable to take and use whatever rule that affords them the maximum opportunity to do what they want.
“The same principle of human nature has been found to confuse and adversely affect some indigenous Australian communities.
“I can remember when indigenous Australians were not allowed to have alcohol because of the effects this had on their traditional lifestyle.
“This law was passed by those who thought they were doing the right thing but without reference to those to whom it applied as they didn't have the vote at that time.
“Fifty years later, with experience and now political power through being able to vote, the effects of alcohol are so disruptive to many traditional indigenous Australian communities that they themselves are now requesting and obtaining bans on it being brought into their community.
“So my suggestion is this.
“I've seen and experienced where traditional laws and western law can co-exist and work in harmony together.
“This situation was also not where traditional Christian laws were practised so that is an extra factor that could have created problems but it didn't.
“Partly however, this harmony was due to the effective size of the community where traditional customs were practiced.
“It was also due to the rigid maintenance of laws by the administration in an impartial way.
“Now here is where I offer some observations.
“Humans are by nature still at the Neolithic stage of personal development.
“That is, we are still cave men or women of the Cro Magnon level.
“Therefore, we are able to effectively manage human relations when a family group expands in number to a clan and even to a village.
“Once the size of a group of coexisting humans increases to more than the village size however, no one can control what happens within the community unless there are protocols and procedures that are made and enforced.
“At this point, a leader is either elected or takes control and a bureaucracy comes into existence and laws are made to keep control and to help satisfy the majority at the expense of the individual or minority.
“What is clear to me, given the world's very recent financial history, is that no one individual is either able to manage a country or to be on top of everything that can happen in our so called 'global village'.
“So what's my suggestion?
“Well... how about applying the type of legal environment that worked on
“Where there is conflict, enacted legislation takes precedence, with the onus on the accused to defend their actions.
“How would this work?
“Well imagine where someone favoured a wantok and allowed him to break the law without being caught.
“Would there be a conflict of interest and for whom?
“Clearly, if there was a recognised hierarcy of laws, customary, traditional PNG law would have to take a back seat when enacted law must be followed.
“If the rules are well known and followed impartially and effectively, there is no conflict of interest.”
Christian students gather at University of Vudal
By VERONICA MANUK
The
The conference officially begins tomorrow (Friday) and ends on Sunday with the theme “Appointed to Lead Across Cultures.”
The official welcome will be made by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Philip Siaguru and main speech by East New Britain Governor Leo Dion.
The main speakers for the conference are Minister for Justice & Attorney General and Member for Rabaul Dr Allan Marat, Dr Richard Chin from the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and former Chief Ombudsmen Ila Geno.
New Guinea Islands TSCF Coordinator, Ezekiel Lulu said the
The TSCF ministry has six regions - Momase, Lae, Lower Highlands,
He said it would be the second time for the university to host the conference, the first time was in 2002.
Mr Lulu said the information in the conference would be vital for students, as apart from word of God, there would be workshops on different topics which include, academic excellence to be presented by Dr David Kavanamur, Christian leadership, HIV/AIDS its latest status in PNG, cult worship, family welfare, law and order in relation to alcohol and drug abuse and boy/girl relationship.
He encouraged majority of the students in the province and the region to attend.
The ministry’s vision is “Raising Young Generation to become men and women of integrity and God fearing people”.
The main aim of TSCF is to co-ordinate the work of affiliated Christian fellowship in PNG, encourage the evangelistic activities of the various affiliates, encourage promote training in leadership, assist members in Christian growth and faith and encourage members to consider full-time Christian work for churches of PNG and to encourage a missionary attitude among the churches and also TSCF work in the country.
Mr Lulu invites surrounding communities, churches and government organisations to also attend the conference to understand the vision of the ministry as it is an interdenominational ministry.
This poem was nominated by UN as the best Poem
When I born, I black
When I grow up, I black
When I go in Sun, I black
When I scared, I black
When I sick, I black
And when I die, I still black
And you white fellow
When you born, you pink
When you grow up, you white
When you go in sun, you red
When you cold, you blue
When you scared, you yellow
When you sick, you green
And when you die, you gray
And you calling me colored?
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
2009 WALK AGAINST CORRUPTION
To be officially led by the Grand Chief Sir Paulius Matane, GCL, GCMG, KSt.J, Governor General of
Walk Against Corruption details:
Day & Date: Sunday 14th June 2009
Venue:
Assemble Time: 5:30 am
Walk Commences: 6:30 am
Prizes for:
1. Best dressed team
2. Best anti-corruption message
Register a Team to Participate:
K200 per team of 10 for school teams (payment to cover cost of water and refreshments)
In 2009 TIPNG is offering participating teams the chance to sponsor a school team's participation. TI PNG knows that while it is on our shoulders to fight corruption today, it will be the adults of tomorrow who will win the war. We therefore wish to make every effort to get school teams participating in the WAC and encouraging PNG's children to take a stand for responsible citizenship. We would be thankful if your organisation could, in addition to supporting your own team, sponsor one of the school teams who have elected to take part in the WAC.
For more information contact TIPNG office on the following:
Phone: 320 2188 / 320 2182
Email: communications.tipng@daltron.com.pg or
Email: youthagainstcorruption@gmail.com
The TIPNG Fund Raising Committee is humbled by the support shown by 61 organisations in the public, private, NGO and sectors as well as individuals who contributed to registering 100 teams to participate in the 2008 WAC and raising close to a whopping K200, 000.00.
With your support, the grassroots support, TIPNG will go a long way in having a voice against corruption.
Do not give a free ride to the ugly face of corruption.
Say No to Corruption.
Register a team to Participate in the biggest ever Walk Against Corruption.
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Businesses Against HIV AIDS (BAHA) website keeps working women informed about HIV
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People are interested in how HIV affects young, working women. In March over 1000 people visited the BAHA website www.baha.com.pg for the first time to look at the new page aimed at providing resources specific to young working women and HIV.
The new page was launched alongside the BAHA March Newsletter because International Women’s Day is celebrated in March.
Apart from stories, reviews, songs and links, BAHA considers as most significant, the promotion of procedures around "post-exposure prophylaxis” for HIV or PEP in case of exposure to HIV.
Dr Nano Gideon (pictured above) from the Heduru Clinic talks about “accidentally exposed” steps to follow which were developed as part of the BAHA workplace training program.
PEP for HIV is an emergency short-term disease-specific treatment to reduce the likelihood of infection. PEP may be prescribed after a workplace accident, sexual assault or sexual accident like a condom breakage.
BAHA General Manager Dr Ann Clarke said: “Information on PEP is a component of BAHA training and BAHA workplace champions learn about universal precautions, first aid kits and PEP. The training includes information on transmission. Although it is quite a mouthful, PEP, as we most need to know it, is a 28-day course of ARVs taken after someone has been exposed to HIV.
“Participants at workplace training participate in role plays to help reinforce the importance of time. If PEP is started within 72 hours of the exposure (and the sooner the better), PEP is highly effective in preventing HIV infection.” said Dr Clarke.
Not many people either know about or understand the process of PEP for HIV. Our champions leave BAHA training knowing critical facts about rapid response, access to services and the drugs involved
At the recent BAHA Tokaut, a participant from PNG Ports said: “I had no idea that an HIV infection could be prevented after accidental exposure All workplaces have accidents and now we know we could prevent an unnecessary infection.”
Dr Nano is in the process of ensuring PEP is understood and delivered at accident and emergencies through
He said: “We would like to see all people who have been accidentally exposed within the first 12 hours!”
Information on rapid response and access to services steps is available from the BAHA website or through enquiries@baha.com.pg.
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