Polye condemns reports over court challenge

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

DEPUTY Prime Minister Don Polye has urged the public not to be manipulated and brainwashed by naïve political tactics employed by individuals and groups who are hell-bent on tarnishing the good name of the national government, The National reports.

Commenting on last week’s Post-Courier reports alleging that the prime minister had lost his court appeal challenging his referral to the public prosecutor, Polye said: “I challenge those individuals and groups, including the opposition, to think about how they can contribute meaningfully to the development of this nation instead of engaging in counter-productive bickering over

trivial matters, which, most likely, is for purposes of advancing their political interests other than anything else.”

The deputy prime minister said the matter relating to the referral of the prime minister was being addressed by the judicial system and it was wrong for groups and individuals to capitalise on the issue for their political gain or otherwise.

Polye, who is Works and Transport Minister, also called on young politicians not to be misled by the so-called veteran politicians who had little to show in terms of their contributions to the development of this country.

“I further call on the youths to be vigilant and ensure they do not become influenced by the cheap politicking that is, unfortunately, becoming an all-too-common practice that unpopular and weak leaders resort to demean other leaders,” Polye said.

He said there were more rewarding matters that journalists should give emphasis to allow for the public to reflect on and discuss rather than wasting time on exaggerating an issue that was still before the courts.

Polye said while freedom of expression and information were the cornerstone of PNG’s thriving democracy, it was unfortunate that some citizens tended to abuse their purposes for ill-conceived motives.

 

 

Ban sex education, lawyers meet told

By JULIA DAIA BORE

 

SEX education should be banned from schools, government chief specialist on lifestyle diseases Dr Thomas Vinit said, The National reports.

He said it should not be taught at primary and secondary schools “until the students are fully matured”.

 “Condom should not be promoted but let only as option for those who wish to take a risk for it is not 100% safe,” Vinit, who is the technical adviser in lifestyle diseases at the Health Department, made these known last Wednesday at the Constitutional and Law Review Commission (CLRC) conference in Alotau.

He also called on churches to speak out on their moral teaching on sex and marriage to promote abstinence and chastity, or being faithful in marriage; to promote good role models as saints and our Blessed Peter Torot instead of models who promote sexual promiscuity and beauty shows; all cultural values that promote abstinence and being faithful such as high bride price for virginity must be strengthen and encouraged and others that promote promiscuity and polygamy must be exposed and outlawed.

Vinit said adultery laws should be tougher to deter multiple sexual partners claiming that adultery was the main route of HIV/AIDS transmission.

He added that it had increasingly become PNG’s main instigator of criminal offences, describing the rise in the HIV/AIDS epidemic as frightening and no longer a health issue but an economic and a development issue which required a multi-sectoral approach.

Vinit told the conference that his focus was on adultery, “especially the Adultery Act to have it reviewed”.

He said this would lead to definite decreases in sexual transmitted diseases (STI).

“There will be decrease in the prevalence in HIV/AIDS, domestic violence and deaths related to adultery,” Vinit said, adding that the degree in incidents in tribal fights as a result of adulterous behaviour would no longer be; or that there would be better control of such behaviour.

He said also that the social and economic gains would better with there being less family break-ups “and I am sure you know of a lot of family break-ups”.

Vinit said children would be happier in a good and loving family home or environments where there were less adulterous parents.

“There will be a lot of money saved if there were less adulterous affairs.

“There will be decrease in tribal tensions and decrease in criminal activities; as those are effects of adultery and family break-ups.

“And spiritual benefits will increase as there will not be any family break-ups and, ultimately, family values in that love (in a family) is cherished.”  

He expressed concerns about media reports on a daily basis reflecting how “people now have not a care in life at all; they just can go and kill somebody”.

“And this is because the family values are not now being seen as very important.

“And it is in the family that love starts growing. And you can see that in families where there is love and caring, they will not enter into rascalism and even murder.”

Prime Minister must step aside: Namah

Leader of PNG Party Belden Namah has called on Prime Minister (PM) Sir Michael Somare to voluntarily step aside from official duties following last Tuesday’s (30th November2010) Supreme Court dismissal of an appeal by Sir Michael to prevent the Ombudsman Commission (OC) from investigating him.

Namah said Sir Michael should stop employing deliberate delay tactics to frustrate the constitutionally mandated tasks of the OC to delay his referral process by endlessly seeking relief in courts.

He said: “Sir Michael’s indifference with the law and OC leaves a lot to be desired of the founding father, who was an architect of the very constitution he helped drafted and adopted at independence.

“He should simply swallow his pride, stop being arrogant and humble himself.

“ In the public interest, he must voluntarily relinquish his position by stepping aside as prime minister to allow for his referral process to proceed without further unnecessary delays.

“If the PM has nothing to hide, he should allow his referral process to proceed unimpeded.

“ He should defend himself in the tribunal hearing like other leaders who have been referred in the past.

“He is no different to other elected leaders who have been referred for misconduct in office.

“Is the PM telling the nation that he is above the law?

“Is he telling us that he should not be prosecuted if he breaks and laws?

“Why can’t he respect the very laws he helped crafted?

“Why shouldn’t he be prosecuted and dealt with appropriately like others leaders who have been charged under the Leadership Code?” Namah asked.

The OC alleges that Sir Michael failed to lodge annual returns for the periods 1994/5, 1995/96 and 1996/7, his lodgement returns for the periods 1998/99, 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 20003/04 and incomplete statements for periods 1992/93, 1993/94,1997/98, 1999/2000, 2000.01, 20001/02 and 20002/03.

The OC referred Sir Michael to the Public Prosecutor to ask the Chief Justice to appoint a Leadership Tribunal to deal with the allegations, but Sir Michael went to court seeking orders to stop the OC from investigating him.

On June 24 2008, National Court Judge, Justice Derek Hartshorn rejected an application by Sir Michael for a temporary injunction to stop the OC from investigating him.

When rejecting Sir Michael’s temporary injunction, Judge Hartshorn ruled that it was not in the interest of the justice of the general public that lawful authorities should be prevented from performing their legal and constitutional duties.

Sir Michael had gone to court asking the court to grant him certain declarations and a permanent injunction preventing the OC from continuing its investigations.

However, Judge Hartshorn stated that Sir Michael did not have a strong case to stop the OC from continuing its investigations.

Section 4 of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of the Leadership require every person who is subject to the Leadership Code to furnish the OC every year details of assets, income and other required information.

On Nov 19, 2010, Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek told a media conference in Port Moresby that Sir Michael was referred to office of the public prosecutor after his court challenge failed to stop the referral.

Manek highlighted that he was not aware of any court order preventing the public prosecutor from appointing a tribunal.

Namah said since the Supreme Court had upheld that National Court decision, the Public Prosecutor was duty bound to move swiftly to perform his constitutionally mandated duty to ask the Chief Justice to appoint a tribunal to deal with Sir Michael.

“This is a case of national importance involving the chief executive of this nation.

“It therefore demands for the Public Prosecutor to act in a timely manner in the public interest,” he stressed.

Fix corruption at Vulupindi House: Namah

Leader of PNG Party Belden Namah has called on Prime Minister (PM) Sir Michael Somare to act decisively in dealing with corruption in the Treasury and National Planning departments.

Namah said it was common knowledge that corruption was rife in Treasury and National Planning offices, but Sir Michael continues to pretend that all is well.

He said Sir Michael had conveniently shut his mouth and chooses to remain deaf and blind.

“When will he act to fix the problem and protect MPs from paying huge sums of money in commission to get money that is legally belongs to their electorate released?

“Why should members pay public servants who are already paid by the taxpayers to get project funds?” Namah asked.

He noted with grave concern that Treasury and National Planning offices have become houses of conmen and organised thieves robbing million of public funds that could well fund important development projects throughout the country.

“This has to stop.

“The PM must act swiftly to stop such corruptive and fraudulent acts.

“Enough is enough.

“Immediate action is needed to save the Treasury and Planning offices from becoming an institutionalised corruption houses, “Namah stressed.

He also challenged Sir Michael why he had not acted to implement the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Finance and Treasury as required under the Commission of Inquiry Act.

“The nation is anxiously waiting for the PM to act and implement the recommendations of the inquiry, which among others revealed of over K500 million missing without trace.

“This is despite the PM promising to act swiftly on the inquiry recommendations to investigate and prosecute those involved in stealing public funds.

“To date, nothing had been forthcoming from the PM.

What a pleasant surprise.

Sir Michael’s inaction simply sends one message to the general public.

He condones the existence of rampant corruption in Treasury and Planning offices.” Namah stressed.

As well, Namah said National Planning Minister Paul Tiensten should stop passing the buck by blaming MPs for paying commissions, and take remedial actions to deal with civil servants and middlemen who are collaborating to rob the state and taxpayers.

On Tuesday (30th November), Telefomin MP Peter Iwei claimed that he paid K10, 000 to a staff of National Planning department to have a cheque of K12.4 million for electoral project released; only to find out that it was a bogus cheque.

Namah said this was a serious case of fraud that warranted swift and most appropriate action to deal with those involved, including criminal charges.

“The public demands immediate and decisive government action and not buck passing and lame excuses from Mr Tiensten.

“The situation demands most immediate and decisive action.

“It is incumbent on the minister to stop talk and institute remedial measures to address the issue of corruption in that office.

“The minister has a duty to take appropriate action and inform the nation what measures he has instituted to rid corruption in the department he is responsible for,” Namah concluded.

 

Basil slams MPs' pay rise

By GABRIEL LAHOC

 

Bulolo MP Sam Basil is against the budgeted pay rise for Members of Parliament, announcing to his district that he “didn’t get into parliament to get a pay rise, but to bring development and services down to the people”.

Mr Basil said this on Monday during the launch of the EMTV and Australian Network signals into Lekluk village in Mumeng Local Level Government area.

He described as “ridiculous” the decision of the Somare government, seeing it as another luxury item on the Government’s wish list.

The Government passed the 2011 national budget last week and gave a massive 52% salary increase, which Mr Basil argued should have been spent on other important government sectors which will have a direct impact on the people and communities.

“We the MPs are getting an extra K80,000 while the Prime Minister is getting another K100,000, which I believe is not the people’s wish,” said Mr Basil.

He also announced that for all future bills and acts presented in parliament to be enacted and amended, he would firstly consult the people through mass opinion polls in the local level governments and vote accordingly in Parliament.

Several leaders speaking on behalf of the Leklu community, which has a population of more than 2000 people, openly challenged him to continue to bring community impacted projects and give to the people all that is rightfully theirs.

Bougainville Copper Ltd shares soar

BOUGAINVILLE Copper Ltd’s share price has soared as talks to unite the landowners of the mine site under a single umbrella company proceeded, The National reports.

If successful, the talks will streamline negotiations for the reopening of the mine in Bougainville.

According to Australian security exchange last Friday, the share price of the Rio Tinto-controlled company rose 4.08%, and on Monday 4.58%.

The shares had  doubled in price since August and tripled since May, even though the mine had not operated for 21 years, the ASX stated.

The new president of the Autonomous Bou-gainville Government John Momis, told the media last week that discussions between landowners were going well.

“I am satisfied we are doing OK … we need to get the mine reopened … it will kick start developments in Bougainville,” Momis said.

The copper mine, at Panguna, provided about 20 % of government revenue during the 1970s and 1980s.

It closed in 1989 as the island disintegrated into civil war, in part due to disagreements about the mine’s impact and the way royalties were shared. Rio Tinto owns 53.58% of the company.

The PNG government has a 19.06 % stake, and the other 27.36% is held by public shareholders.

“With copper reserves estimated at almost three  million tonnes and gold production in the range of 400,000 ounces per annum, Panguna is one of the world’s largest potential producers of both metals,” BCL, as quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald this week, said.

“It is expected that the Bougainville copper agreement renegotiation will be actively pursued towards the end of 2010.”

The company said market values for both copper and gold were higher than at the time of mine’s closure.

 

 

Tiensten: Scam ring in Waigani

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

THE nation’s top planners admitted yesterday that there is a highly organised syndicate operating with the bureaucracy who preys on recipients of government cheques, The National reports.

They included public servants, bank workers and police personnel who may have milked the state of millions of kina over the years.

Members of the syndicate, mostly women public servants, take “cuts” of K10,000 to K30,000 to facilitate quick payment of these cheques at commercial banks.

National Plannning Minister Paul Tiensten and his departmental secretary Joseph Lelang said this at a media conference, adding weight to what had been suspected by the public for some time.

“This syndicate has done a lot of damage to individuals and organisations,” Tiensten said.

He and Lelang called a media conference after The National ran a front-page story yesterday about an MP claiming that he had paid K10,000 to a staff of the department to have a cheque of K12.4 million released, only to find out that it was a bogus cheque.

Tiensten was angry that Telefomin MP Peter Iwei could allow himself to be conned.

Tiensten called on the Ombudsman Commission to investigate Iwei for facilitating official corruption in depositing K10,000 into a Westpac account for the immediate release of funds.

“This is a very irresponsible leader who, earlier, had misplaced K1 million of DSIP funding for the people of Telefomin in a taxi.

“The people of Telefomin should be given a fair treatment by their member.

“Parliament recently increased MPs’ salaries and he should buy himself a car instead of running around in a taxi with cheques.”

Teinsten said the cheque issued was bogus, and was never raised by the department.

He said there was a scam in operation outside of Vulupindi House, not within his department as people claimed, although there were “several rotten officers” in National Planning who were also involved in supplying information to facilitate the fraud.

Tiensten said they were producing copies of fake cheque, claiming that they were from the department and asking people for commission for up to K30,000.

He said the syndicate was using electronic copies of cheques remittances in their computers and printing them out and were conning people, pretending to be him or his secretary, and asking for commissions for the release of fake departmental cheques.

Tiensten said the recent case of Iwei depositing K10,000 into the account of a woman was not an isolated case.

He said he was aware of other similar cases.

“This syndicate is an evil existing in our society. Look at the links, the police is involved as well as the banks are involved,” he said.

He said on two different occasions, some people were caught and locked up at the Boroko police cell but they were released on unknown grounds without even turning up in court.

He said a woman was caught with money in the New Erima Primary School scam but she was set free by police.

In another incident, a woman was arrested for the diocese of Bereina case involving K20,000, but she was also set free.

He said several incidents were known and referred to police but the suspects were running around free.

“I appeal to the new police commissioner to investigate these cases,” he said.

Teinsten said things were made even more difficult when callers could not be identified because there was no control over the issue of mobile phone sim cards where people would buy them without registration.