Media urged to get both sides of story

Former Papua New Guinea Defence Force commander Commodore Peter Ilau has appealed to the media to get both sides of the story.

He was referring to allegations in The National that he emptied Flagstaff House – official residence of the PNGDF Commander –  of all its contents as well as was holding on to the official commander’s vehicle.

Commodore Ilau said he was bewildered that a former PNGDF commander, Maj Gen Jerry Singirok (ret), was leading the attack against him and feeding “rubbish” to the media when he was no longer a soldier.

He said any more unsubstantiated allegations against him would end up in court.

“I wish to appeal to the media, but more so to the press in particular, to please respect my 34 years of service and eight long years as commander PNGDF through an extremely difficult time,” Commodore Ilau said.

“My family and I persevered a long period of change in a complex organisation.

“It is not fair to my family to continue to suffer on my behalf.

“We have suffered enough of that rubbish during my term as commander PNGDF.

“I thought that reputable service organisations like the press would double check information, seek opinions from both sides of the story before printing.

“I am extremely disappointed.

“My reputation and credibility has been tarnished because of rubbish.”

Commodore Ilau said during his handover takeover speech in January this year, he promised officers that he would remain loyal to the PNGDF and would never comment against it; however, he now had to turn back on this.

“For this report (in The National), I have no choice but to ensure I clear my good name, because others in the appropriate position failed to correct the reporting as expected,” he said.

“I just want my privacy respected, and my family left alone.

“Even if I get paid by PNGDF, at least please leave us alone.

“This is the last time I will comment on this matter.

“Any future commentaries on me and my family, they will explain in court.”

Commodore Ilau said of Gen Singirok: “All I can say is that everything he’s saying is totally misleading.

“I don’t know where he got his information from.

“He’s claiming that he has inside sources within the PNGDF.

“Even then, this is a matter for the commander and his staff.

“He (Gen Singirok) wants to take military matters into his own hands when he’s no longer a soldier.

“He should hesitate is making statements like this which can be taken to court.”

Papua New Guinea beauty takes Japan by storm

Captions: 1.  Emi Maria (right), the Papua New Guinea-Japan beauty who is now a sensation in Japan, and who gave a rendition of the PNG national anthem at the opening, at the PNG Embassy opening in Tokyo last Wednesday. – Picture by YAWI NALU KWAMSE 2. Emi Maria performing at the Hibiki Music Festival 2009 3. Emi Maria as she appears on the home page of her website http://www.emimaria.com/

 

 

She is arguably Papua New Guinea’s biggest export to Japan and one of the biggest R & B recording artists there right now.

Twenty-two year-old Emi Maria, a PNG-born beauty who is a superstar in Japan right now, gave a soulful rendition of the PNG national anthem at the opening of the new PNG Embassy building in Tokyo last Wednesday.

She touched the hearts of members of the large PNG entourage that was in Tokyo last week, especially when they found that she is Papua New Guinean.

“She sang the national anthem so beautifully and made us so emotional, especially when we found out that she is part Papua New Guinean,” said Timon Tomala, leader of a Morobe dance troupe that performed in Tokyo last week.

Emi Maria was born in 1987 in PNG.

Her father is Papua New Guinean, from Simbu province, while her mother is Japanese.

She spent the first five years of her life in Papua New Guinea, before moving to Kobe in Japan.

She first started listening to R&B at six due to her sister, listening to such artists as Janet and Michael Jackson, and K-Ci & JoJo, according to a brief biography published online.

 She began writing lyrics in junior high school.

 By high school, she had started writing music and producing her own tracks.

 She participated in the MTV Star Tour, and started performing lives in the Kansai area from 2006 onwards.

 In 2007, she started appearing on many different Japanese urban artists' albums as a guest artist, such as Seeda and MC Moggy.

In 2007, Emi Maria released her first EP, "Between the Music," under Freest Inc., a label Emi Maria had created for herself.

 Her debut single "I Gotta (Summer Kiss)" was picked as the iTunes Japan single of the week in August 2008.

She debuted as a major label artist in 2009, with the release of a digital dingle "One Way Love" under Victor Entertainment.

 During this time, she had some of her highest profile collaborations.

 "Luv Is..." was a song Emi Maria performed with R&B singer Jay'ed, which features on his top 10 album Musication.

 Last December, she had her first top 10 hit, as a featured artist on Seeda's single "Wisdom," which reached #8 on the Oricon singles charts.

 After the release of her first physical single in 2010, "Show Me Your Love," Emi Maria released her first major label album, Contrast.

More information can be sourced from her website http://www.emimaria.com/.

Community response to the Maladina attack on the Papua New Guinea Ombudsman's powers

From PAUL OATES

A petition has been raised by Transparency Papua New Guinea in response to the recent proposal in PNG Parliament to weaken the PNG Ombudsman's powers. A Community Coalition Against Corruption is now asking people to sign this petition to help prevent this proposal from going ahead. This is a very important step in PNG's history.

The study of history is essential if one is to understand human nature. Afterall, we as a species haven't changed since we evolved. Nothing changes except the circumstances we live in. As an example, reflect on the circumstances 2,000 years ago in ancient Rome.

Quis custodiet ipsos! Custodes? Juvenal 60 -130 AD

'Who is to guard the guards themselves?'

When the separation of government powers becomes a murky, grey area, society starts falling apart. If PNG government ministers have now started to see themselves as rulers and above the law then they have lost sight of their role as the people's representatives.

Why would this be so? Juvenal comes up with another apposite quote:

'Nemo repente fuit turpissimus!'

"No one ever reached the depths of wickedness all at once."

Hitherto, traditional PNG culture helped repress any dissention and promoted the 'big man' concept. Little by little over the last 30 odd years, the public's individual rights have been continually 'white anted' away.

But when people start climbing the mountain of awareness, they see things from a whole new perspective. Younger PNG people are now prepared to draw a metaphoric line in the sand.

We are witnessing PNG's coming of age.

Yet another problem caused by deforestation

Morobe group impressed by Japanese culture

Culture shock…Lasi Tewai Siac Group leader Timon Tomala being shown how to use a chopstick by his hosts at an elementary school

The Lasi Tewai Siac Group in one of its performances in and around Tokyo

A bare-chested Yawi Nalu Kwamse with a Japanese admirer after a performance on the streets of Tokyo

From Morobe to Japan…from left (back row) are Andrew Baim Jr, John Sandy and Timon Tomala while front are Yawi Nalu Kwamse, Rose Masio Tomala, Taegiyamo Andrew, Mathew Imata Tomala and Andrew Ananias Baim

A traditional dance group from Morobe province has returned from Japan proud to have been part of the opening of the brand-new Papua New Guinea Embassy building in Tokyo last Wednesday and convinced that our people can learn so much from the Japanese.

The eight-strong Lasi Tewai Siac Group was one of two groups brought over by the PNG Embassy in Tokyo, the other being the Kurti Andra Traditional Dance Group of Manus.

They travelled to Tokyo on March 27 and performed at a number of venues in and around Tokyo in the days leading up to the opening of the new PNG chancery and the launching of the second weekly Port Moresby-Narita flight last Wednesday.

It was the first overseas trip for most members of the group and was a real eye-opener for them.

Group leader Timon Tomala said one of the highlights of the trip was when they were hosted by students at an elementary school at Tsurugashima and later partook in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

"Japan is in a class of its own," he said.

"Generally, life is Japan is very fast-paced, however, the people respect each other.

'They are very hard-working.

"Time to them is of paramount importance.

"I've been to other places around the world, however, they don't compare to Japan.

"There are a lot of things Japan can offer PNG.

"There are many things that PNG can learn from Japan.

"They are very traditional-minded, despite being one of the economic superpowers of the world, and they ensure that their children grow up with that.

"It was a very good learning experience for us members of the Lasi Tewai Siac Group."

Mr Tomala was very impressed to see that PNG students studying in Tokyo were much disciplined like their hosts.

"We could see that our students who are studying in Japan have really taken on board the Japanese culture," he said.

"I would like to see more of our young people from PNG take up studies in Japan, as it will impact on their lives and be good for PNG in the long run."

Something that Papua New Guinea can be proud of: Abal

The new Papua New Guinea Embassy building in Tokyo is something the whole country can be proud of, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal.

He said during the opening of the new building on Wednesday that the plan for PNG to acquire a prime piece of real estate in Tokyo, known to be a very-expensive place, was hatched in 2007.

"After the return of the National Alliance Government in July 2007, it decided to continue its existing policies and at the same time pursue new areas and in particular the Export-Driven Policy to drive growth through the creation of industries for export," Mr Abal said.

"The Prime Minister had firm plans to fund the construction of a Chancery Building in Tokyo during the second term of his Government.

"This project is significant in many ways.

"First, this investment would only be the second, in terms of constructing a new building, after the construction of the Haus Tambaran or the Spirit Haus in Canberra, Australia, which was completed some 30 years ago.

"It is significant also because the investment in a PNG Haus symbolises the close, maturing and evolving relations which PNG enjoys with Japan.

"This building is a statement of our appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support for PNG development efforts and at the same time our firm desire to engage constructively with Japan for the mutual benefit of our two countries and our peoples."

Mr Abal said the Government appropriated K15 million in the 2008 National Budget and further provided an additional amount of K2.97m in the same year.

" The effect of the rising oil prices had directly impacted on the price of steel and building materials, therefore, the Embassy was forced to seek additional funding in October 2008, which I am happy to say Cabinet approved K5 million which was released early this year," he said.

Mr Abal said he was personally satisfied that the project had been executed professionally and the building turned out to fully to his expectations.

"Indeed, the quality of work is outstanding and I commend all parties concerned for their part in making this great project a success," he said.

"Congratulations to Mr Yokoyama for a modern yet PNG flavor design depicting PNG as it strives for its own identity and place in the community of nations.

"The project manager, Sao Facilities,  for representing PNG Government and the people's interests and the contractor, Fujita Corporation, particularly Mr Ta Kayanagi for making our dream a reality and completing the work within budget and on schedule.

" Of course a special acknowledgement to the Embassy staff led by our former Ambassador to Japan and secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mr Michael Maue, for successfully delivering the project on time.

"Congratulations to all for an excellent job.

"PNG is both grateful and proud of your achievement.

"I take this opportunity to thank our former Ambassadors, their families and our officers who are serving now and those who served in the past to promote Japan-PNG relations.

"I know they all have worked hard.

 "Some of the former Heads of Mission and spouses of two who have passed away are among us today to witness this occasion.

"Over the years they too have tried hard to secure funds to construct our own building, particularly in a place like Tokyo.

"I am glad that Amb Anthony Farapo, Mr Vincent Maragu, Lady Nicky Nombri and Mrs Elisabeth Lalatute are able to join us today.

"Only Amb Aiwa Olmi is unable to join us on this occasion."

Mr Abal told Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare that his officers had carried out the tasks diligently and with purpose.

"I am satisfied with the work which has been accomplished and I commend the building to you, the Government and people of PNG," he said.

Embassy heralds a new dawn in Japan-Papua New Guinea relations

Japan – Papua New New Guinea relations can only get better with the opening of the magnificent new PNG Embassy in Tokyo, according to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.

He was speaking in Tokyo on Wednesday when officially opening the new chancery building in front of a large entourage from both Japan and PNG.

The opening of the new chancery at Meguro Ward coincided with the launching of the second weekly Port Moresby-Narita later that same day by Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel at Narita Airport.

The K20 million building is named after former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sir Albert Maori Kiki, who was instrumental in developing PNG foreign policy.

Whether deliberately planned or not, a point Sir Michael alluded to, the timing of the opening of the new chancery building on the eve of the cherry blossom season in Tokyo was auspicious.

"As the cherry blossom season heralds new beginnings in Japan, the advent of a new season for business and school, the opening of the Papua New Guinea chancery trumpets a new era of deepened friendship and more stronger economic and trade ties between our two countries," he said.

"I am confident that the relationship between our two countries can only get better from here onwards.

"The signs are promising.

"Papua New Guinea already enjoys a fast-growing investment, trade and economic relationship with Japan.

"Japan is Papua New Guinea's second-largest trading partner.

"Japanese business entities have substantial investment interests in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and oil and gas sectors.

"JBIC, Nippon Oil Exploration and Tokyo Electric's participation in the first PNG LNG project confirms the trend towards a more enhanced relationship between Papua New Guinea and Japan.

"This is further exemplified by the interest shown by JAPEX in the second LNG project being developed in Papua New Guinea."

The construction of this chancery, which began in May 2009 with a groundbreaking ceremony performed also by Sir Michael, was completed in December last year and the building formally handed over on Jan 19, 2010.

The commitment by the government to this project was recognition of the important and maturing relations between Japan and PNG – a relationship that in recent times has gone to a higher level, with the recent involvement of some high-profile Japanese companies in the PNG LNG project.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Michael Maue, former PNG ambassador, said it all began on Sept 20, 2007, when Sir Michael called him to say that he was passing through Narita on his way to New York and directed that he prepare a Cabinet submission for him to consider.

Mr Maue finalised a submission for the new embassy which was signed by Sir Michael and which he directed be faxed to the Cabinet secretary for NEC consideration.

"Cabinet finally approved to fund the project and appropriation was made in the 2008 national budget," he recalled.

"After receipt of the first batch of funds on April 14, 2008, the embassy searched for suitable land for building.

'Over 80 sites were considered with information provided by real estate agents, the Internet, site visits and also land made available by the Ministry of Finance of Japan.

"Let me assure you, the people of PNG, that your investment is sound considering it is in Tokyo.

"May I add, the Government and people of PNG own this block of land because we have the legal title to it duly registered in the name of the Government of the Independent State of PNG.

"The total land area is 324 square metres; however, the total office space of 660sqm almost doubles the size of the land compared to the 240 sqm the embassy rented all these years on the third floor of the Mita Kosukai Building.

"Funds could not permit the purchase of bigger land space or the construction of a residence next to the chancery for the head of mission.

"I will leave that to the imagination of future PNG ambassadors to Japan.

"Having said that, I am fully satisfied and convinced that what we have delivered is the best money can buy."

Other speakers included Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Abal and Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms Chinami Nishimura, who spoke on behalf of the Japanese Government.

Traditional singsing performances were done by Lasi Tewai Siac Group of Morobe province, Kurti Andra Traditional Dance Group of Manus, and Engan artists living in Japan.