The heat is on for Governor General

By NEWMAN CUTHBERT

The race for Government House is made easy because you only need to take a piece of paper around the corridors of the House and collect just a bit more than 20 signatures from your MPs for you to be considered.

And if you get past that and before you know it, your name paraded on the floor of parliament and mixed with the rest of the would-be Governor Generals and in the end, one winner emerges who will represent the British crown at Konedobu.

I would not mind being that person but than at a time when I and my kind are rated below par by those who have the power to vote in parliament, I do not think my name would get past the gardens.

There used to be a time when election of the GG was a regional issue that threatened political stability and parties entered into MOUs to make this five-year appointment.

Sir John Guise came from Papua so as Sir Tore Lokoloko, Sir Kingsford Dibela and Sir Serei Eri.

Sir Ignatius Kilage, Sir Sailas Atopare and Sir Wiwa Korowi were from the Highlands and today Sir Paulias Matane from the Islands is ending his term.

None have come from Madang, Morobe or the Sepik.

Last time the vote was taken Sir Paulias Matane got in from a three-horse race.

There was Pato Kakarya, Albert Kipalan.

One of them became GG-elect for a record short while and the other marched him to Waigani court and while they were fighting it out, Enga versus Enga, Matane sailed in from East New Britain and without an effort snatched the crown from them.

Hope we do not go through that embarrassing situation again.

I was wondering why Somare went to reconcile with Chan some time back.

Chan should be reconciling with Somare because it was Chan himself who moved the chair from beneath Somare after disagreement on the leadership code and causing Somare to loose office.

But didn’t Somare pay that back when Chan was out to buy a government jet to replace the aging Kumul?

Somare made an issue out of it and Chan lost government.

Today Somare has a jet which is double the price Chan was prepared to pay and for which he was removed from office.

But the reconciliation has taken place and GG’s crown is up for grabs and no new leader has lived in that white house on Goldie Lawes.

But alas who am I to start suggesting Chan is “Right Man” because there are other distinguished “right man” who more than qualify for that role.

I can see a Governor General material in Sir Arnold Amet, or what is wrong with Dame Carol Kudu, or if it would be a political taming of Morobe for National Alliance, Bart Philemon could be that bridge of political convenience.

There is also Sir Rabbie Namaliu, former Prime Minister and elder statesman.

And than there is the man himself ….Sir Michael Somare, last term in parliament, need to take it easy and would complete his distinguished political carrier and ending it all on a high note.

Grass Roots will no doubt be going for it again as he has always done.

He may have written to the Queen and copied the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader.

It gets lonely up there at Government House.

Governor Generals suddenly find themselves a remote figure surrounded by aids and minders conducting state ceremonies at the very building that US Supreme commander during World War 11, General Macarthur, used as a transit point as he passed through these parts on his way back to the Philippines...

It not only isolates the man but the constitution restricts him and tells him to “act only in accordance with advice from the Prime Minister and National Executive Council”.

The Prime Minister is his boss and holds the power to hire and fire.

Sir Serei did not want to sign the instruments to remove Forests Minister Ted Diro and Prime Minister Paias Wingti got rid of them both.

At a time when government’s popularity rating hovers below the 50% mark, Papua New Guinea needs that reassurance that  all is well under the democracy within the Westminster parliamentary system  which  we choose and in doing so accepted to make  a foreign  Queen our Queen as well.

We need to recognise the Queen’s passion about democracy through our choice of a Governor General.

We need through the Governor General complement everything she represents within the Commonwealth and to uphold the values of the Westminster system of our democracy.

We need a gentleman knight and his lady, who will give us hope when families are being threatened by social conflicts.

We need a Governor General to whom we can express our hopes and know that the government will get to hear it.

We need one who has distinguished himself in life and who will truly be the people’s Governor General.

There are only a few of those kinds of people left to choose from.

 

 

Basil's speech to Parliament opens up a fetid corpse

From PAUL OATES

In a stirring speech to the Papua New Guinea Parliament last Friday, Opposition MP, Mr Sam Basil effectively threw down the gauntlet to the Somare government and the PNG law enforcement authorities.
"Continuous inaction and silence (by the police) and allowing high profile crimes to fade with time without justice being done is nothing but a recipe for disaster. Such is an element that is directly corroding the foundations of democracy which is the rule of law. A number of cases are still pending for investigations and prosecutions involving very senior members of parliament, departmental heads and various business people including the organised Mafia Activities that are operated by Asians, very well known to Police yet nothing is done about it." Mr Basil said.
"The Prime Minister has taken charge of some questions raised regarding the house matters but hasn't come back to this floor to tell us his remedies and as we all know money alone cannot fix this house but the rats must be fumigated too unfortunately the fumigation company ran out of active pesticides as the pests have developed resistance. It is a common knowledge in within parliament that a K2m of parliament funds has been spent annually for two external law firms while we do not have access to in house lawyers."
"If the Ombudsman Commission, the Police Force, the Public Prosecutor and other law enforcing agencies cannot do their respective role, this nation will decay into corruption and eventually a failed state."
"If nobody can apply justice then I commit this debate of mine to God to intervene so God please help Papua New Guinea."
A visibly angry Prime Minister Somare was stung into responding: "Instead of opening our big mouths and accuse each other, we must all read and understand procedures and processes of government. The so-called university graduates should read the law instead of leading demonstrations."
Somare said some of the leaders leading the protests were like parrots. He said it was the work of Parliament, which sees if there is anything wrong with the system, could change laws.
But hang on there PM, if the laws already exist but are not being followed, what use is it to change or amend them further? Isn't that just another case of diversion and denial?
The newly appointed Attorney-General and Justice Minister Ano Pala then cautioned MPs who questioned the integrity of the Parliament speaker. "Basil has questioned the integrity of the chair; if you want to question the authority and dignity of the chair, you are attacking all of us," Pala said during the grievance debate.
Yet Mr Basil didn't accuse all MP's of being corrupt, so why is Mr Pala trying to share out the blame? Could he now feel responsible for actually having to do SOMETHING about the problems Mr Basil has effectively highlighted with factual information? Is it that he feels personally implicated by agreeing to join the Somare government? Why try to defend everyone when only some are questioned?
Finally, during the whole grievance debate, one wonders why the reported exchanges only detail Mr. Basil's speech and the indignant rebukes by the PM and his minister for Justice. Where oh where were the Opposition Leader and his Deputy? Why weren't they reported as defending Mr Basil's integrity?
Mr Basil has been brave enough to open up a fetid bag of decay that is today's PNG government. Why isn't he being defended by his Opposition team leaders?
In the words of the Education Minister and Tari-Pori MP James Marape, "If you are not happy or satisfied with government, dispose of the government in a properly conducted election."
Ah yes, Mr. Marape, but will a properly conducted election be allowed to happen in 2012? In the 2007 general election, the improper use of a government plane and the promise of public monies by Somare ensured his cartel held onto power. No one seemed to be able to ensure the law wasn't broken then. So why won't this reported, corrupt election activity happen yet again in 2012?
Mr Basil should be hailed as a champion of PNG democracy and actively supported by all those who want a better future for their country.
_________________________________________________-

The National

Monday 17 May 10

Pala warns MPs not to degrade speaker

In Parliament with ISAAC NICHOLAS and ALMA MARIMYAS

NEWLY appointed Attorney-General and Justice Minister Ano Pala has cautioned MPs who questioned the integrity of the Parliament speaker.
He issued the warning after Bulolo MP Sam Basil questioned the speaker, alleging misuse of funds resulting in the deteriorating state of Parliament House.
"Basil has questioned the integrity of the chair; if you want to question the authority and dignity of the chair, you are attacking all of us," Pala said during grievance debate in Parliament last Friday.
He appealed to MPs to maintain the decorum of the house as the people were watching.
"The public is watching us. Every time when corruption is mentioned, they look at members as corrupt. None of us are corrupt because we are on the floor representing our people with dignity.
"You might not like the speaker and what he does, but we must all respect the chair," Pala said.
He said corruption was like a garden where you have to build a fence to prevent attacks by pigs and other animals.
"The fence is the system of government and the system of government must be strong to prevent attacks on the garden by pigs," he said.
Pala said systems and laws were like the fence and it had to be strengthened with laws to prevent attacks on the food garden by animals.
He said while MPs were attacking each other in Parliament, pigs were tearing down systems of government to lay hands on the people's money.
Education Minister and Tari-Pori MP James Marape said those who had been dishing out huge funds during elections to win votes were the very same people coming out in the form of non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations to lead public demonstrations.
"If you are not happy or satisfied with government, dispose the government in a properly conducted election.
"There is a big hypocrisy in this country. I campaigned against candidates dishing out big money but I won," he said.

Sir Michael apologises for 'longlong, sadang', comments

By ISAAC NICHOLAS

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare has apologised unreservedly for branding people sadang (evil/satan) and longlong (insane) at the height of the public demonstration outside Parliament against the Maladina amendments two weeks ago.
"Mi tok sori sapos mi kolim sampela pipel sadang o longlong (I am sorry if I call some people evil/satan or mentally retarded)," Sir Michael said in Tok Pisin during grievance debate in Parliament last Friday.
Organisers of the demonstration as well as the media, including The National, had called for a public apology, saying the prime minister had used parliamentary privilege to make comments unbecoming of a leader.
Sir Michael said he was sorry if people had been offended by his comments.
He said a lot of people who took to the streets to protest were educated people who had been calling leaders corrupt without even reading the amendments to the Ombudsman Commission.
Sir Michael said it was the job of MPs as legislators to make, or amend, laws which the government thinks were outdated or to make them stronger.
He said the Maladina amendments were not aimed at removing powers of the Ombudsman, but to make them stronger.
Sir Michael was referring to Bulolo MP Sam Basil's earlier statement in which he claimed that leaders, or MPs, were corrupt.
The Prime Minister said the leaders were pointing fingers at each other while public servants were getting away with white-collar crime, one of the reasons for amending the Ombudsman Commission legislation to include senior public servants and their officers.
He said MPs, as legislators, were supposed to make laws and the court system was there to interpret laws. "Instead of opening our big mouths and accuse each other, we must all read and understand procedures and processes of government.
"The so-called university graduates should read the law instead of leading demonstrations."
A visibly angry Prime Minister said some of the leaders leading the protests were like parrots.
He said it was the work of Parliament, which sees if there is anything wrong with the system, could change laws.

Stop whingeing and start organising

From PAUL OATES

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.' English philosopher Edmund Burke.
At each signpost along the road, the PNG people have had an opportunity to divert the wagon of state away from eventual destruction. The current political situation, where a cartel of self seeking and corrupt leaders have usurped the power of government for their own purposes, has not happened overnight. It has been a gradual 'white anting' process that has taken over
three decades. The food resources in the national garden has been 'mumuted' away in front of the people's eyes. But because this has been a gradual, 'underground' process, no one has clearly understood what has been happening.
Many of those younger PNG people in positions of responsibility today never experienced what pre Independent Papua New Guinea was like. While no human society is free from corruption and criminal activity, the contrast between PNG in the early 1970's and today is poles apart in many ways. Perhaps this could be why many now appear to have become blasé and complacent about the gradual implosion of their society and nation.
So is the impending implosion inevitable? What could be done to reverse the current downhill slide? History is full of examples when people have determined enough is enough and decide to mobilise. PNG's infrastructure is unfortunately in a very poor state when compared to many other countries. However, while communications and transport systems are limited, if enough people decided to become motivated and organised, almost nothing is impossible.
Maybe one of the biggest stumbling blocks appears to be a 'what about me ?' sentiment rather than thinking about others? Is this due to traditional culture or is it just a self preservation instinct?
One thing is for sure. Until enough people start thinking about their nation and their children's future, nothing is going to change. Just 'whinging'about what everyone knows is the problem ain't gonna change it.

Maxtone-Graham hits back at his Anglimp-South Wahgi critics

Anglimp – South Wahgi MP Jamie Maxtone-Graham has broken his silence over allegations of non-performance leveled at him in Papua New Guinea media recently
He also said he was being made a scapegoat for lack of development in Anglimp-South Wahgi merely because he was often critical of the Government.
He said projects he was working on included Minj-Andakap Road, Minj-Gamar Road, Minj High School upgrading, community health posts, community haus man, emergency road maintenance, funding for Kudjip Hospital, Jiwaka women’s microfinance, small hydro-electricity schemes, community schools and Minj rugby league ground.
He said he was also involved in setting up Internet access, EMTV access, 93FM radio access as well as several agricultural projects such as draught animals and hybrid oranges in the fertile Wahgi Valley.
“Firstly, we must remember that there are many candidates already campaigning in the electorate (for the 2012 elections),” Maxtone-Graham said.
“It’s quite obvious that a lot of criticisms are coming from these candidates, who intend to discredit me.
“They use whatever reasons they have to gain some mileage and to create support for themselves, for whatever reason.”
Maxtone-Graham said he had put together a 10-year plan for his electorate but implementing it was difficult because of lack of Government support.
“We have already highlighted all these priorities for the district,” he said.
“It’s very-comprehensive, one of the best plans that was ever put together, on the understanding that this was what was required by the National Government.”
Maxtone-Graham said funding for police barracks in Minj, hospital, upgrading of the high school to secondary school and other infrastructure projects were put on the backburner simply because of political reasons.
“Unfortunately, funding was never released and these projects never kicked off,” he said.
“I’m a victim of politicisation.
“Getting things delivered makes it all so frustrating.”
Maxtone-Graham said such attitudes made it very difficult for the Government to achieve the United Nations’ Millenium Development Goals (MDG).
“I believe it all boils down to politics,” he said.
“Under the Millenium Development Goals, which we are party to, we are failing to meet our targets that we ourselves put together.
“We are unlikely to meet the targets.
“That is the sad thing.
“We play too much politics in PNG.
“There should be less politics in this country.”
Maxtone-Graham said there were some leading figures in Government who were from Minj; however, this was no help.
“They know the situation we are in,” he said.
“That’s why I’m not getting any funding for roads, schools, police barracks, law and order, and health.
“I’m not National Alliance, I’m not inner circle, I’m a very critical Member of Parliament and I keep getting shot.
“Unfortunately, I’ve become a victim of my own good intentions.”

Papua New Guinea faces increasing threats to biodiversity

Papua New Guinea faces increasing threats to its bio-diversity through expansion of mining, logging, industrial and agro-forestry activities and an expanding population, and needs to take appropriate action, according to Secretary for Environment and Conservation Dr Wari Iamo.

He issued the call at a workshop on convention of biological diversity (CBD) held at Loloata Island Resort recently, which was held primarily for DEC and its stakeholders to prepare the 4^th national report on CBD.

Dr Iamo said PNG was now faced more challenges and the onus was on DEC and relevant Government agencies and stakeholders to the necessary steps.

“The looming and threat of environment change is another serious challenge to face,” he said.

“PNG is a signatory to the CBD, which is an international convention that promotes ‘to conserve biological diversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and encourage equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources’.

“Such equitable sharing includes appropriate access to genetic resources, as well as appropriate transfer of technology, taking into account existing rights over such resources and such technology.”

Dr Iamo said PNG had already developed a national biodiversity strategy and action plan, and the national capacity self-assessment report.

It is working on the implementation of the programme of work of protected areas (PoWPA).

The workshop was attended by senior staff of DEC and representatives from Department of National Planning, Forest Research Institute, National Agriculture Research Institute, Papa Mama Graun Conservation Trust and University of PNG.

Dr Iamo said stakeholders must be mindful that the 4^th national report had to be developed in the context of government policies and strategies including Vision 2050.

He said natural resources such as agricultural products, marine products and timber were the main provider in the PNG economy.

“The country’s 85% of the population is dependent on the forest resources, sea and freshwater for their subsistence needs and the ecosystems they provide,” Dr Iamo said.

“It is, however, important that there is consultation at all levels when attempting to establish and gazette protected areas.”

He added 2010 was the ‘international year of biodiversity’ and the two key objectives were raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity; and the role of the convention in ensuring its conservation and sustainable use, and the equitable sharing of benefits.

Dr Iam said DECO planned to launch this event later this month.

Giregire puts his hand up to be Governor General

Pioneer Eastern Highlands planter, businessman, politician and former candidate for Governor General, Sinake Giregire, has announced his intention to contest for the vice regal job.
Due to past anomalies, he has personally collected the nomination form from the office of clerk, National Parliament, and has written to concerned Members of Parliament to nominate and vote for him.
He said despite being a founder of two political parties (United and Country) and also being president of Country, he wanted to be bipartisan.
Giregire said he stood for a united, peaceful and prosperous Papua New Guinea.
“My work and experience in the formative years of PNG puts me in good stead for this position,” he said.
Giregire said he had served as councilor and president on the area authority (now provincial governments) and also in pre and post-independence Parliament and had the experience.
“Further, I want to protect the constitution,” he said.
“I believe that I am the only-elected Papua New Guinean who had served on all three constitutional development and planning committees from 1964-1975 and would do my best to maintain and respect that role as being one of its architects.
“Further, this is not my first time to raise my hand for this vice regal position.
“In 1975, I was nominated with along with John Guise (later Sir) for the position of first Governor General on Independence Day.
“However, I lost with a margin of three votes.
“Nonetheless, when Sir John Guise resigned to contests the 1977 elections, Country Party and I nominated Sir Tore Lokoloko who succeeded in that post.”
Giregire, from 1955 till today, is a gold miner, coffee planter, coffee factory owner and entrepreneur
In 1957 he became a pioneer member of Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association and has been president since 1984.
Also in 1957, he was councilor and first president of Asaro Watabung local government council.
From 1964-1968 he was Member of House of Assembly for Goroka Open, and from 1968-1977 was Member of Parliament for Daulo Open.
Giregire was Minister (or Undersecretary to Administrator) for Services from 1964-1968, Minister (Ministerial Member) for Agriculture Stock & Fisheries from 1968-1969 and Minister for Posts & Telegraphs from 1970-1972.
He founded Highlands Commodity Exchange in 1961, Compass (United) Party in 1967, Farmset in 1969 and Country Party in 1974.
“Currently, I am involved in coffee plantations and am president of the PNG Country Party and Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association,” Giregire said

The call of the Saruwaged

A dog-eared copy of Fear Drive My Feet, which is essential reading for all students of PNG history

By MALUM NALU

The rugged Saruwaged Range of Morobe province came into prominence again last Dec 30 last year when a Cessna 185 crashed there, killing a family of six people, and again highlighting its unforgiving terrain.

Walking the Saruwaged has been a goal of me and my good friend, Michael Kari from Manus province, whose father served with distinction there during the dark days of World War 11 and is the star of Peter Ryan’s best-selling book Fear Drive My Feet.

I have already walked Kokoda and Black Cat Trails, and it has largely been through my efforts, through numerous magazine and Internet articles, that the Black Cat has now become an internationally-recognised tourism icon.

Next up is the Bulldog Trail linking Gulf and Morobe provinces, and of course, the Saruwaged.

Kari and I have been talking about trekking the Saruwaged since 2004; however, our logistics and finances have not yet fallen into place, unless, of course, Morobe leaders and the provincial administration can sponsor an expedition.

The Saruwaged Range (also Saruwared, Sarawaket or Sarawaget) is a mountain range on the Huon Peninsula in Morobe province, north-eastern Papua New Guinea.

The range is dominated by the Saruwaged Massif which is capped by the two peaks of Mount Bangeta and Mount Saruwaged.

The Saruwaged Range runs into the Finisterre Range to the west and together they form a natural barrier between the Ramu and Markham valleys to the south and Vitiaz Strait to the north.

Streams flowing from its southern flanks feed the Markham.

The Germans, during their years of administration in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, made several exploratory trips into the range.

Early European ascents of Sarawaged Massif include those by the missionary Christian Keyser in 1913 and Charles Lane Poole in 1925.

Ascending to these summits would be likely to depend on finding a way through thick tropical rain forest.

I first became a fan of Fear Drive My Feet – a minor classic of World War 11 - way back in the late 1970s and early 1980s when it became a hit radio play on the National Broadcasting Commission.

Fear Drive My Feet, written by Peter Ryan and first published in 1959 by Angus & Robertson in Sydney, describes the factual adventures of one man in the struggles of 1942 and 1943 in the savage country of the Huon Peninsula area of Morobe province (then district).

As an Australian soldier of 18, Ryan, who is still alive, was sent out alone and untrained, to conduct intelligence patrols for months on end, deep in the jungles of Japanese-occupied New Guinea.

Without heroics, his book describes the hardships and dangers of such a life, though they did not blind him to the stupendous beauty of the country and the nobility of its native peoples.

Peter Allen Ryan was born on September 4, 1923, and educated at Malvern Grammar School.

He joined the Victorian Crown Law Department but left in 1941 at the age of 18 to enlist in the Army.

For 18 months, he worked on special intelligence work in PNG behind Japanese lines, winning the Military Medal in 1943 and being mentioned in dispatches.

In addition to numerous press articles and book reviews, Peter wrote several books including Fear Drive My Feet (1959), Redmond Barry (1972), William Macmahon Ball: A Memoir (1990), Black Bonanza: A Landslide of Gold (1991), Chance Encounters: AD Hope (1992), Lines of Fire: Manning Clark and Other Writings (1997) and Brief Lives (2004).

Fear Drive My Feet, rarely out of print over the last 40 years, is a classic story of the darkest days of WW11, when Australia itself stood in deadly danger.

James Kari, who is the son of Sergeant Major Kari – one of the heroes of Fear Drive My Feet – wants the Saruwaged Range not to be forgotten and must become recognised like the Kokoda Trail, Black Cat Trail and Bulldog Trail.

He also wants an expedition undertaken to recreate that done by his father and Ryan over 60 years ago.

Fear Drive My Feet is a captivating factual narrative of the author’s and Kari’s experiences between Wau, the vast Markham Valley and the towering Saruwaged Ranges during the dark days of WW11.

Other places like Lae, Salamaua, Port Moresby and the infamous Black Cat, Bulldog and Kokoda Trails come into mention in this book that all ardent students of PNG history must read.

Ryan was only 18, Kari 20, when they were part of the 2/5th Australian Commando Company in patrol and observation work behind Japanese lines in 1942.

The Manusian was a giant of a man – standing over six feet tall – and his exploits are well documented in the annals of Australian military history, including the killing of several Japanese.

As Ryan describes him: “He was as black as coal, six feet tall and so broad that he filled the whole entrance…his skin was smooth, glossy and hairless, and you could see the magnificent muscles that rippled underneath it.”

Apart from Kari, many other Papua New Guineans are mentioned in the book, and it is my fervent hope that the younger generation of those mentioned have read or will take time to read this book to understand the misery of war.

They include Watute and Dinkila, who made an excellent deduction from the way the Japanese were moving, that they were preparing to evacuate Lae.

Another notable character is Buka, whose real name was Ure but because he came from somewhere in Bouganville he was called Buka, and who went stampeding, stark naked, around a village threatening to shoot all the men in a case of temporary memory loss.

Dinkila comes into the story after Kari as a cook, but eventually takes over Ryan’s life, as he decided what his boss should wear and eat.

One day, the Japanese made an air raid and before he could jump into the safety of the trenches, Dinkila fell into a toilet pit.

His body stank terribly that Ryan asked if he had soiled himself, however, Dinkila replied: “Master, me hearim bomb ‘e come, now we fall down long haus pekpek.”

There is constant mention of Singin, tultul of Wampangan village, who constantly helped Ryan’s group.

Singin is the father of tourism personality Erigere Singin, former Evangelical Lutheran Church of PNG secretary Fua Singin, and Prime Minister’s advisor Sumasi Singin.

Legendary patrol officers Leigh Vial and Ian Downs, who made significant contributions during peacetime and war, are well mentioned.

Fear Drive My Feet fords you across the Markham River, sweeps you across the Markham Valley, and lifts you on to the mountains of Boana and the mysterious Saruwaged Ranges and beyond.

It is a work of non – fiction but will captivate you just like any of the best novels.

The narrative is captivatingly built up and it culminates with the dramatic escape in the final chapters.

A riveting read!