Polye, Duma sacked

Abal shows muscle over insubordination and LNG issues

 

By JEFFREY ELAPA

 

ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal has finally flexed some muscle, The National reports.

He is expected to announce today disciplinary actions he had taken against two ministers.

Government sources said last night that Abal last Friday signed instruments terminating ministers Don Polye (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Immigrations) and William Duma (Petroleum and Energy).

Reasons for the tough disciplinary actions were yet unknown but sources claimed last night that Polye, who is deputy leader of the National Alliance highlands faction, was cited for insubordination.

A tussle over the leadership of the faction had been brewing between Abal and Polye since the former was named deputy prime minister.

Duma is parliamentary leader of the United Resources Party, the second largest party in the coalition government.

His sacking, it was understood, was in relation to concerns over his leadership of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) project and licencing issues within his department.

From another direction, a court decision on Public Enterprises Minister Arthur Somare’s long-running case has now paved the way for the appointment of a leadership tribunal.

Were this to happen, the ruling party would be rocked with the absence of the prime minister and the displacement of key ministers.

The highlands region has the biggest number of NA parliamentary members but sources said members from the region had been split with some showing support for Polye while others were behind the acting prime minister.

The sacking was an indication that a bulk of the highlands faction had finally shifted its allegiance towards Abal.

Over the past few months, the National Alliance was also split over the interim party leadership after a vacancy existed when party leader Sir Michael Somare underwent surgery in Singapore.

Sir Michael had undergone two operations in Singapore and had taken almost two months off from work, creating a vacancy in the party leadership which NA members had tried to elect a party leader but that did not eventuate as there was a split within the party.

Sir Michael is still in intensive care at the hospital.

Sources said Polye was also vying for the interim party leadership while Abal was said to be backed by other members of the party for the same post.

NA Momase deputy party leader Patrick Pruiatch is also vying for the party leadership and it is understood the southern and NGI factions may be supporting his candidacy.

However, sources said the leadership issue had not been resolved but the sacking of Polye was likely to create more disunity within the party with less than a year before the general election.

Duma and Polye could not be contacted last night.

 

Somare to face tribunal

By JULIA DAIA BORE

 

ANGORAM MP and Minister of Public Enterprises Arthur Somare will face the leadership tribunal, The National reports.

The Waigani National Court has dismissed all the grounds of bias the minister had claimed in seeking a judicial review against the Ombudsman Commission in his last-ditch attempt to stop his referral.  

The ruling effectively meant that the leadership tribunal, set up on Sept 15, 2006, by the chief justice to deal with Somare’s alleged official misconduct relating to the disbursement and acquittals of the district support grants, would now resume.

However, Somare would not step down automatically as a leader, as per a recent three-judge Supreme Court decision on March 31.

Then justices Bernard Sakora, Salatiel Lenalia and George Manuhu ruled on the Patrick Pruaitch matter which set a precedent that the “question of a leader’s suspension takes place when the tribunal, hearing the leader’s case, convenes and seizes jurisdiction to decide whether to suspend the leader”.

Lawyers dealing with the matter last Friday said the matter was now in the chief justice’s jurisdiction.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia had appointed the tribunal members but, with the retirement of chairman Sir Kululan Los, a replacement was needed.

Other tribunal members included district magistrates Orim Karapo and Noreen Kanasa.

In his decision handed down last Friday, Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika said: “The decision to refer, in my respectful opinion, is not unreasonable and capricious in the circumstances and, as such, the OC did not act in excess of its jurisdiction to refer.

“In the end result, all the grounds for judicial review are dismissed as having no merit,” Salika said, and ordered Somare to pay the costs of the judicial review bid.

He also asked: “Was the referral unreasonable?

“Again, taking into account all that happened from May 27, 2005, up to Feb 28, 2006, the evidence did not support an unreasonable referral. I reject this contention as well.”

On the issue of whether the decision to refer Somare was capricious; Salika ruled: “Capricious is an adjective and comes from the noun caprice, which means – sudden change in attitude or behaviour with no obvious cause (taken from Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary).

“Was the decision to refer the applicant to the public prosecutor capricious?

“Again, from all of the evidence, with respect, I do not think the decision to refer (by OC to public prosecutor) was capricious.”

Salika said: “It was obvious the OC was going to have to make a decision sooner and it did.

“In that regard, I do not consider the decision to refer to be capricious. The commission received the relevant acquittal documents and, therefore, made the decision to refer.

“The decision to refer was not unreasonable and capricious in the circumstances and, as such, the OC did not act in excess of its jurisdiction to refer,” Salika said.

The OC, on its own initiative, conducted investigations into the accessibility and application of the 2002 district support grants by all 109 members of parliament.

As 2002 was a general election year, and there was much concern raised over the misappropriation of the 2002 DSG funds before the general election, the OC decided that it would put out a stop to the payment of the DSG if it sent out a directive.

Following this, notices were publicised in the media of its intentions and follow-up of investigations established with the relevant leaders; Somare was listed number 16 on the directives sent out to the leaders.

In February 2005, the OC served on Somare, his right to be heard notice dated Feb 11, 2005, with allowance of 21 days for Somare to respond.

Bautama blocked

Caption: Calling for action ... Residents and villagers along the Magi Highway, including Koiaris and Motuans armed with bush knives, in Central last Friday blocked off the Bautama junction in protest over the lack of action into a double murder two weeks ago. Road users from the Motuan coastline, including Rigo and Abau districts, were restricted from getting into the capital city from as early as 4am. The protesters also petitioned for the eviction of the 6-Mile settlement and for justice to be served on those responsible for the killings. A four-day ultimatum, which expires today, was issued.– Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

 

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

TENSION is on a knife’s edge after bush-knife wielding Koiaris and Motuans blocked the Bautama junction last Friday in protest over the lack of action into a double murder there two weeks ago, The National reports,

All road users along the highway from the Motuan coastline, including Rigo and Abau districts, were restricted from getting into the capital city from 4am last Friday.

At the scene, agitated and armed youths guarded part of the road for 5km leading to a gathering of Koiaris waiting to hand over a petition to government officials.

The Koiaris gave a four-day ultimatum which would expire today for the provincial and national governments. They wanted:

·         Both Goilala politicians, Governor Alphonse Moroi and Goilala MP Matthew Poiya to meet all funeral expenses for the two deaths;

·         Payment of K2 million as compensation;

·         Increase in police personnel at Bautama to be stationed at Koiari and Motuan villages along the Magi Highway;

·         Reintroducing the Vagrancy Act and death penalty; and

·         Creation of a Koiari open electorate to ensure sustainable socio-economic activities in the area, including transport, electricity and water supply.

The action was sparked by a double murder in the area two weekends ago when a Grade 10 student from Mt Diamond Secondary School was murdered at his Madowate village. 

Koiari committee chairman Rev Baru Gou said failure by the government to address the petition would result in “further actions”.  

He did not say what those actions would be, only that they would be revealed when the deadline expired.

He said locals had been living in fear and “enough was enough”.

After the handover of the petition, several houses belonging to the Goilalas at the 6-Mile dump settlement known as ‘Dark Street’ were burnt to the ground. 

Police yesterday confirmed the flare-up, saying more than 40 makeshift homes were completely burnt to the ground.

However, quick response by the police, led by NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop, stopped further destruction in the area.

It was unclear how many Goilala families had been affected.

 

Micah: It's now or never!

By MALUM NALU

Former Kavieng MP Ben Micah says the need for good leadership in Papua New Guinea has never been greater than now.

He said this when officiating at a two-day workshop for intending candidates for the 2012 elections titled ‘Winning strategies for a successful political election campaign’ at Aku Lodge in Boroko, which is also being attended by officials of various political parties and non-government organisations.

“The demand for good leadership is greater than ever before,” Micah said.

“Papua New Guinea has a lot of leadership potential, but there is no leadership.

“The 109 people chosen from the six million people is very critical in the 2012 elections.

“It is critical that they elect men and women who know how to lead.

“Papua New Guinea is looking for transformational leaders.

“We are not focusing on transformational leaders, that’s why the country is entering a serious case of leadership crisis.”

Micah said the current level of leadership was very depressing to him.

“I’m afraid, I’m scared,” he said.

“In the next elections, if the people don’t elect transformational leaders, the country will disintegrate.

“I don’t see a clear future for this country.

“I’m not a prophet of doom, but a realist.

“The Electoral Commission must run a fair and transparent election in 2012.”

The workshop, which has attracted intending candidates, political parties and non government organizations, continues today.

Topics discussed today included election strategy development process, pre-election preparation, assessing readiness to contest for public office, analysis of voting trends, and networking.

Tomorrow’s topics include maximising the power of words, communication methods, designing a winning strategy and implementation plan, and running a successful election campaign, before closure by NCD Governor Powes Parkop.

It is being facilitated by former Institute of National Affairs and Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council staffer John Varey.

New political group formed

By MALUM NALU

Former Kavieng MP Ben Micah today (Sunday, June 05, 2011) announced the formation of a new political movement in the build-up to next year’s election.

To be known as Movement For Change, the movement will be across party lines, and will be looking at making a change from the last 35 years of independence.

Micah made the announcement at a two-day workshop for intending candidates for the 2012 elections titled ‘Winning strategies for a successful election campaign’ at Aku Lodge in Boroko.

It will be officially launched in Goroka next month.

“This is going to be across party lines,” he said.

“We are setting up a movement independent of political parties.

“I believe that if we work together, we can mobilise the people.

“We want to talk now about fundamental change.”

The movement will be officially launched in Goroka next month.

Opposition advisor Reg Renagi said people wanted a complete paradigm shift from the last 35 years.

“We need this grassroots movement,” he said.

“Thirty-five years is a long time.

“Right now the ruling regime has lost the plot.

“We need the support of both sides of parliament.”

People's house starts slow

By REG RENAGI

The public in 2011 did not expect parliament to rise on a high note since closing shop last year to give itself a six - month holiday.

Last May, PNG’s 8^th National Parliament started in usual fashion. 

Proceedings started slow and low key. 

The house got down to business and from the public gallery, some key differences could be observed. 

Three prominent figures making up any robust parliamentary debate sessions were notably missing from the chamber. 

The Prime Minister, Opposition leader and the Speaker of the House were not at their seats on the preliminary proceedings. 

Prime Minister Somare was abroad seeking medical treatment and new Opposition Leader, Belden Namah was also visiting his family overseas on medical treatment. 

Speaker Jeffrey Nape was conveniently unavailable since parliament adjourned last year, with many speculating his whereabouts since last year.

During three weeks of this year’s first parliament sitting, general business of parliament has not really improved much over the years. 

Proceedings would start very late with government consistently failing to provide the required numbers for a quorum.

When MPs did debate “hot” issues on the floor, the Speaker would almost always gag discussions initiated by the parliamentary opposition party.

Last month’s May session had many outstanding issues being debated by MPs from both sides criticising each other amidst raised voices. 

 The more passionate even let slip a few colourful language. 

Many issues were presented as Ministerial statements (and reports) being tabled by MPs for information, and relevant state agencies to take note and act on them.

Sitting directly overlooking the government side, new Opposition Leader, Belden Namah and his firebrand deputy, Sam Basil were true to form in their first-time job as the “new kids on the block”. 

 Both excelled well as they took to task, Acting PM, Sam Abal and government senior ministers over many and wide-ranging policy issues. 

The government’s responses were as usual, both long and evasive in nature; and lacking any real substance.

Among others, the most controversial issue so far has been the many questions asked of the Acting PM, Sam Abal by Belden Namah to explain clearly to citizens, what is the true state of PM Somare’s health condition for him to be given ‘a leave of absence’ for this session of parliament.

Today, the public is now widely speculating whether PNG will have a new PM in 2011 due to PM Somare’s prevailing health condition. 

Papua New Guineans will soon know whether it is time for the government’s succession plan to be activated when parliament rises for another three weeks.

 

REGINALD RENAGI

Port Moresby

 

 

Reward for information about PNG Blogs

The NASFUND Board is aware of various articles posted on the blog site, PNG BLOGS and now being circulated via e mail which are factually incorrect, malicious in nature and defamatory.

 The articles are not only a serious attack on the integrity of the NASFUND Board and management it is a mischievous attempt to create confusion and instability amongst the contributors of NASFUND.

The author of these articles has used the cloak of anonymity aided by the named website in perpetrating this cowardly and criminal smear campaign.

An investigation to establish the identities of the persons involved is ongoing and a reward of K 50,000.00 is now offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of both the author of the articles and the persons responsible for publishing it on this blog or any general media.

 

All information received shall be treated confidentially and should be forwarded to:

 

Ernie Gangloff

Independent ex Officio NASFUND Board

C/ Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu

Level 12 Deloitte

P.O. Box 1275

Port Moresby

Email: Egangloff@deloitte.com.pg

 

 

Authorized by:

 

NASFUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

 

Joint CEO, Rod Mitchell's Statement

 

I will preface this statement with the following quote from author Kevin Donnelly

 

“Deciding between competing rights and balancing rights with responsibilities is difficult and challenging, no more than in relation to freedom of religion, expression and belief. As common sense suggests, not all rights are absolute and there are occasions when particular rights have to be qualified or curtailed. Freedom of expression does not give one the licence to shout “fire” in a crowed cinema”

 

A number of issues in relation to allegations made on a blog site and reproduced in scurrilous form by email circulation through out PNG can be drawn from the above quotation.

1.         That blogs far from being a democratic agent for change are now being used more and more as a tool for certain smear campaigns and agendas

2.         In relation to allegations about me we can see that there is an agenda on a blog site to make any fanciful allegation without substantiation and use it to smear my character.

3.         Nearly all the postings are written by the same person under different names. There also appears to be a racist overtone.

4.         There should be an onus where people make unsubstantiated allegations that are designed to damage a persons reputation, for blog sites to not only state who they are, but also any article should be fully credited to the person who wrote it – not some glib “PNG Nationalist” etc

5.         The whole approach on this blog goes against common law. What we have in these “blogs” is some Napoleonic approach of guilty until we say otherwise. And that also tells any thinking person of the hidden agenda at work here. Faceless people behind faceless, unsubstantiated muck raking.

 

On this I note the claims of one anonymous writer who believes the mere mention of claims of defamation suggest identification with corruption.

Once again I state that no one begrudges fair comment.

Malicious unsubstantiated allegations designed to hurt a person or company’s reputation is in a class of its own and the mere refuting of an allegation does not justify the malicious intent of the allegation in the first place.

 It is a shame that this particular website does not demand more accountability from those who comment and if it was a legitimate site you would expect a code of conduct regime in place – Not a policy of agenda driven anarchy.

It is clear that over the last few months there has been a concerted attempt to destabilize NASFUND, the Board and it’s Management by malicious rubbish.

The most successful financial organisation in Papua New Guinea will not stand by idly and allow faceless people to dictate or set their hidden agenda against the organisation.

I ask the Members and the public to hold firm and co operate in exposing the people behind the website and those who wrote the malicious commentary.

Let them have their day in court and let their allegations be tested in a legitimate forum.

 

Rod Mitchell

NASFUND