United Resource Party slams manner in which Duma was sacked

THE United Resource Party has expressed disappointment over the manner their parliamentary leader and Minister for Petroleum and Energy William Duma was sacked, The National reports.

Deputy leader and Eastern Highlands Governor Malcolm Kela-Smith, in a media conference with Duma and Dei MP Puri Ruing expressed disappointment over the method of communication by acting Prime Minister Sam Abal.

“We feel there is lack of professionalism,” Kela-Smith said.

Duma said he had yet to receive any formal letter of dismissal from Abal and he only learnt of his sacking in the media.

He said the URP had been meeting since Monday and the party had not made a formal decision on its position on the sacking.

“We do not know whether the removal of the party leader also means the party is also expelled from government.

“As the leader of the second largest coalition party in government, I have not been informed of my removal. I learnt it in the media and I feel disappointed.”

Duma said URP had a special relationship with Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and had been very loyal since 2002 and URP was also a signatory to the Warangoi Accord to form government.

Duma also said his people and supporters in Mt Hagen were also disappointed over the sacking.

He said the media speculations that the petroleum and energy portfolio would go to another URP member was not true as it was the prerogative of the prime minister to make appointments.

“Not one single party has the right to claim a ministerial portfolio,” Duma said.

 

Lenalia to head probe

KOKOPO-based judge Justice Salatiel Lenalia replaces Sir Kubulan Los as chairman of the Arthur Somare leadership tribunal, The National reports.

The tribunal will begin sitting on July 4 at 9.30am at the Waigani National and Supreme Court room No.7.

At that time, Somare, the member for Angoram and Minister for Public Enterprises, will know whether he is suspended from office for the duration of the tribunal.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia made the announcement in Port Moresby yesterday, confirming that the two other members of the tribunal would remain. They are principal magistrate Orim Karapo and senior magistrate Noreen Kanasa, who were appointed in 2006 by the former (and now deceased) Chief Justice Sir Mari Kapi.

The appointment of the new chairman followed the decision of the National Court last Friday, in OS No. 818 of 2006 (judicial review) Arthur Somare versus Ila Geno & Others, which dismissed those proceedings.

Sir Salamo said last Friday’s decision handed down by Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika effectively paved the way for the new chairman to be appointed.

Sir Kubulan has retired. 

In a statement yesterday, the chief justice invited parties to file necessary documents to the tribunal via the National Court registry.

In reference to whether the leader holds office during the duration of the tribunal hearing, the CJ said in a media statement that “for avoidance of doubt, pursuant to section 28 of the Organic Law on Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership and the latest decision of the Supreme Court on the question of suspension in Patrick Pruaitch V Chronox Manek & Others (2011) SC 1093, the question of suspension, if any, is to be determined by the tribunal”.

The tribunal will look into allegations of official misconduct against Somare.

Sir Mekere Morauta - the great reformer of our times

By REGINALD RENAGI

 

While he did not remain long in office, this Papuan Knight and former PNG Prime Minister; Sir Mekere Morauta will long be remembered over his peers as a great political reformist.

Among important policy changes he did as a PM, the citizens have come to remember him well for his fundamental reforms in PNG’s financial sector. 

Unlike other former PMs who lacked the political will and commitment to make a difference, Sir Mekere inherited his predecessor’s liability and immediately cleaned up any remaining problem areas in the country’s financial sector. 

As PM, Sir Mekere reformed the following public entities:

·         Minerals Resources Development Corporation (MRDC).  Key actions taken were: To protect the landowner interest groups, pushed for legislation removing political interference by MPs, regulatory regime similar to the Superannuation Act 2000, outsourcing investment management, Central Bank oversight and a ‘fit and proper persons’ test.

·         Workers Mutual Insurance.    To protect many thousands of contributors, he re-established the Worker’s Mutual Insurance at a cost of K 19 million, outsourcing investment management and conducted a major inquiry into its collapse as prelude to reforms of the existing Insurance Act.

·         Pacific Balanced Fund.  Acting on major Inquiry recommendations, resolved current impasse by appointing new trustees and investment manager.

·         Securities Commission.  The commission was revamped to strengthen its weak and ineffective status.  This action gave it stronger powers and independence to pursue white-collar criminal activity by corporate bodies.

·         Rural Development Bank (now called the National Development Bank – NDB).  The bank was continually under capitalised with much political interference.  A review of the new act followed to protect the interests of small rural-based entrepreneurs.  With current regulatory regime the NDB under the Central Bank includes: appointment of independent directors similar to the old IPBC board make up of ex officio directors and a fit and proper persons test.

The financial reforms greatly improved the efficiency of the economy which among other things: restored independence to the IPBC, facilitated instructions to IPBC as a matter of priority to develop ‘community service obligations’ in such important areas of: power, water, telecommunications and airlines to deliver services to rural PNG. 

The commitment to phase out the former Telikom monopoly by increasing competition in telecommunications, and other monopoly service providers achieved positive outcomes: increase in jobs, services and tax revenues.

Furthermore, a full review and reform of the Electoral Commission included: an audit of existing roles, registration of eligible voters and more voter awareness education programmes.

To further boost the national economy, his plans to phase in competition in the airlines and to establish an Independent Commission against Corruption (ICAC) with wide sweeping powers were mooted widely then, but Sir Mekere did not finish what he started when he left to hand over to a new administration after the 2002 national elections.

Presently, the last two political regimes under the current government have consistently demonstrated an inability to initiate much-needed political reforms from where this great reformist PM left off.

Despite pressing needs, current PM has unfortunately not ensured real and innovative political reforms to improve the country’s financial sector.   

Papua New Guineans are only hoping and praying that our country gets another reformist leader like Sir Mekere Morauta after the 2012 national elections to make the required political reforms PNG so desperately needs in future.

 

Basil engages with rural communities in the highlands

Sam Basil flanked with Kiamuga  congregation members,  Eastern Highlands province

Deputy Leader of Opposition Sam Basil has began engaging with rural population to educate them on current state of the nation, parliament and politics in general.

Sam Basil and Francis Kap in Peace Valley Village , Baiyer  River Western Highlands province

“The people must know what their leaders are doing and the state of the nation as a result of that leadership. It’s their right – and it should be our privilege to serve them in this way,” Basil said.

In what was his first official trip since becoming Deputy Leader of Opposition, Basil travelled to Mul-Baiyer electorate to one of Lae’s long time businessman Koi Trappe to pay respects to Trappe’s late mother, Ms Mano Enta on Saturday June 4.

Trappe is the managing director of Traisa Transport one of the premier transport companies operating between Lae and Highlands for over 30 years contributing to Lae’s economic development.

Koi’s contribution to Morobe, Highlands and Papua New Guinea prompted Basil, on behalf of Morobe leaders, people and the Opposition,  to show respect and contribute K2,000 to the haus krai at Kenakyausa village Mul-Baiyer District.

The Tralea tribe asked Basil to give a brief about the current affairs of the nation, parliament and politics in PNG.

Basil told the Tralea tribe that while the overall economic indicators show that PNG was growing, basic processes of governance were not being handled right resulting in a mismatch between economic indicators and social development indicators.

He described the Mul-Baiyer District as another hidden paradise which like many others in PNG were so unique with wonderful people struggling to make life bearable for themselves and their children.

“They don’t need much to be satisfied – access to roads, transport and markets; functioning, stocked, and adequately staffed basic health services; utilities like piped water, communication and power are all that they need,” Basil said.

“These will be our focus as an alternative Government: when in power we will empower the rural communities with this basic services.”

Basil worshipped with the Kiamuga Lutheran congregation of Yamiyufa Lutheran Church in the Lower Asaro area in the Eastern Highland province on the way back where he donated K1,000 to the local church.

In a brief statement, on the current state of the nation and Parliament, he assured them that the alternative government would ensure that the government and churches partnership was adequately resourced to develop citizens of integrity, honesty and respect – keys to law, order and harmonious living in communities, districts, provinces and PNG as a whole.

The experience has fuelled the Deputy Opposition Leader’s resolve to tour as many rural electorates – upon invitation – educating them on the parliament, national issues and politics and hearing what the grassroots people of Papua New Guinea have to say. 

Basil queries delay on finance inquiry report and actions

Deputy Leader of Opposition and Bulolo MP Sam Basil has called on the Government to explain the delay on what is the most-expensive and prolonged commission of inquiry – the one into the Department of Finance since 2007.

"Many months and many millions of kina went into the Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Finance. And what have we got to show for it?" Basil said.

The Inquiry was looking into over 3000 entries recorded in the Finance Department's Cash Book Report of transactions of K300,000 and above from 1 January 2000 to 31 July 2006.

This was later expended.

"We cannot implement its recommendations. People who have committed crimes cannot even be charged. Money that should not have been paid cannot be recovered," a concerned Mr Basil said.

The Bulolo MP described as "puzzling" the fact that a successful court order was made to effectively "put a lock on that report" when millions (up to K10 million) was already spent to ensure that hearings and findings were recorded.

"Many people in this nation are no doubt suspicious about that order: how it came to be made, when it came to be made and where it came to be made," Basil added.

"But we, of the Opposition, respect the fact that a judge of the National Court chose to make such an order. The questions which must now be asked, given the many months which have elaspsed since that order was made, are (1) why has nothing been done about that order? and (2) when will something be done?"

The Deputy Opposition Leader added: "If the gag order was made as a temporary order by a National Court judge then the matter should have been taken before another judge with an application to set that order aside. Alternatively, the order of the National Court should have been the subject of an appeal to the Supreme Court, coupled with a request to have the matter heard as a matter of urgency."

The opposition pointed out that the directions to follow-up falls within the duty statement or jurisdiction of the Minister for Justice and Attorney General Hon Sir Arnold Amet.

"This is an area for which the Attorney General is responsible. As a former Chief Justice, the learned lawyer, cannot use ignorance of the law and judicial process as an excuse," Basil said.

"If the Attorney General cannot entrust this instructions to the State Solicitor to try to get rid of this gag order because of potential conflict of interest arising from contents of the Commission of Inquiry Report, what's to stop Sir Arnold outsourcing the matter for a private law firm to do something about it as soon as possible?" He said.

"But the bottom line is: millions of taxpayers' money – supposed to be used for the benefit of the people – has been abused in questionable ways by those entrusted to ensure proper usage. These public servants – and their political masters – are all paid to do these jobs," Mr Basil said.

"If they failed and mishandled funds, they must face the consequences of their actions. The Commission of Inquiry cost the taxpayers another K10 million or so to hear, ascertain and determine its findings. The people cannot be double-denied justice because no one is attempting to free the report from the court gagging," Basil said.

Health is next

Abal demands answers over use of donor funds

 

ACTING Prime Minister Sam Abal has ordered an investigation into allegations of gross abuse and mismanagement of funds earmarked for Papua New Guinea under the Global Fund for the fight against the HIV/AIDS pandemic, The National reports.

He directed Health Minister Sasa Zibe, in a letter last week, for an urgent report on the allegations.

He reiterated that if found to contain gross irregularities, abuse and mismanagement, he would instruct for a full inquiry into the administration of the funds.

Adamant to see his undertaking through and to ensure Papua New Guinea safeguarded its credibility as a legi-timate and credible donor-recipient country, Abal had demanded an urgent response from Zibe.

“I have directed the health minister to look into this allegation and report to me immediately on whether the allegation is true,” Abal said.

Abal said: “I am concerned that unless the government takes full cognizance and control of this matter, we stand to lose our legitimacy as a worthy, credible and trusted recipient of international donor aid and technical assistance.

“If unscrupulous persons are involved, they will be identified and dealt with severely.

“Appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken to stop such practices,” the acting prime minister said.

“I want our institutions of government to be good and trusted custodians of financial support being made available to assist PNG by international organisations, charitable groups, governments and philanthropic organisations to help improve our social conditions such as health.”

Global Fund this month decided to select a new principle recipient to carry out some of the financial and administrative responsibilities previously carried out by the Health Department.

This followed allegations that the department was mismanaging the grants.

Abal said: “These are monies meant to complement the government’s own effort to reduce life-threatening scourges and epidemics such as HIV/AIDS that focuses ultimately on making this nation a healthy and progressive nation.

“Monies for purposes such as this must be governed with accountability of purpose.

“As acting Prime Minister, I will not tolerate such practices going on inside government instrumentalities.

“There are enough examples around us and we must seek collective resolve to stop such malpractices once and for all,” Abal said.

 

Car theft turns ugly for youths

Carjacking ends in disaster … Paramedics from the St John Ambulance service in Port Moresby attending to two wounded suspects (pictured left and right) after an exchange of gunfire with police yesterday following an alleged carjacking incident. Another suspect, who is lying next to the right rear wheel of the stolen dark blue CRV, reportedly died. However, there were no external wounds on the dead person to justify him being shot. Two others fled on foot when they were cornered near the Tokam Police Barracks

at Waigani. – Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU

 

By ANGELINE KARIUS

 

A SUSPECT is dead while two others suffered gunshot wounds in a shootout with police outside the Tokam Police Barracks in Port Moresby yesterday, The National reports.

The three were part of a gang believed to have stolen a dark-blue CRV, registration BCF 474, at Gerehu yesterday afternoon.

Police gave chase from the university roundabout at about 2pm.

Police reportedly returned fire after the suspects began shooting, wounding two in the process, one died after being cornered and disarmed while two others fled the scene.

Police could not confirm whether the man who died at the scene was shot.

The five men were caught when their getaway vehicle ran off the road and into a ditch along Cormorant Street, opposite the Boreboa Primary School after crashing into several other vehicles, including a police double-cab utility.

The shootout attracted hundreds of people from the neighbourhood with police directing traffic at the intersection between Cormorant and Pitpit streets in the North Waigani area.

Several support units from police stations around Port Moresby responded to the carjacking when the matter was reported and relayed on police radio.

NCD metropolitan commander Supt Joseph Tondop could not be reached for comments.