We love and miss you so much...Malum and our children Malum Jr, Gedi, Moasing and Keith.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A thought for Hula
We love and miss you so much...Malum and our children Malum Jr, Gedi, Moasing and Keith.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Prosecutor calls for Somare to be sacked
By ABC Papua New Guinea correspondent Liam Fox
Papua New Guinea's public prosecutor has called for the prime minister to be dismissed from office after he was found guilty of official misconduct.
A leadership tribunal yesterday found Sir Michael Somare guilty of 13 counts of filing late and incomplete financial returns to PNG's Ombudsman Commission.
In his sentencing submission, prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said politicians found guilty of similar offences in the past had not been punished with dismissal.
But he said this case is more serious because Sir Michael is the prime minister and "the higher the office, the higher the responsibility".
Sir Michael's lawyer, Ian Molloy, argued against dismissal, saying there was no dishonesty involved and his client had "an extraordinary and unblemished public record".
The tribunal said it hoped to make a decision on the 74-year-old leader's penalty this week.
Papua New Guinea's public prosecutor has called for the prime minister to be dismissed from office after he was found guilty of official misconduct.
A leadership tribunal yesterday found Sir Michael Somare guilty of 13 counts of filing late and incomplete financial returns to PNG's Ombudsman Commission.
In his sentencing submission, prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said politicians found guilty of similar offences in the past had not been punished with dismissal.
But he said this case is more serious because Sir Michael is the prime minister and "the higher the office, the higher the responsibility".
Sir Michael's lawyer, Ian Molloy, argued against dismissal, saying there was no dishonesty involved and his client had "an extraordinary and unblemished public record".
The tribunal said it hoped to make a decision on the 74-year-old leader's penalty this week.
Who is Hudson Ramatlap protecting?
By SAM BASIL
Bulolo MP
Bulolo MP
I refer to the comments by the first legislative counsel, Mr Hudson
Ramatlap, and note with great concern that a person who is supposed to
protect the independence of Parliament legislative process is now
making outlandish comments in support of the contemptuous behaviour of
the Prime Minister.
His statement is not only misleading, but calculated to undermine the
seriousness of this matter.
This is not just another political scoring issue here it is an issue
of national importance.
The first misleading statement is his reference that Belden Namah and
Dr PukaTemu whose names are also on the Gazettal Notice.
Their names are not there.
I can pass a copy to him if he so pleases.
I know he has a copy of the notice but deliberately wanted to mention
their names.
This is contemptuous in itself as he is trying to water down the
seriousness of this case and the implications it has on the judiciary.
Secondly, Mr.Ramatlap as a lawyer knows that an appointment does not
take effect until it is gazetted.
It is trite law that a purported performance of duty by a minister
without having his appointment gazetted is null and void.
It can also be noted on the gazettal notice that Mr Pruaitch's
gazettal does not mention him as Finance and Treasury Minister to show
that he is a finance minister suspended on full pay, or to confirm
that this is just a republishing of the original Gazettal dated 13th
September 2007 as claimed by Mr Ramatlap.
Instead it is a new portfolio (State Minister assisting PM) and that
portfolio takes effect upon gazettal.
This is also deliberately stated by Mr Ramatlap to further confuse the
public of the serious nature of the matter.
Mr Pruaitch and Mr Ramatlap are alleging that the decision of the
Supreme Court does not stop the Prime Minister from appointing a
Minister.
In other words, they are claiming that the Prime Minister had
unfettered powers to appoint a Minister, even in contempt of the
Supreme Court Order.
How sensible is that?
I have sought opinion on the Supreme Court decision and whilst the
decision does not state the details of being suspended on pay, which
is left to be an administrative matter, the decision in no uncertain
terms declares Mr Pruaitch automatically suspended as a leader.
Mr Pruaitch is not attending Parliament sitting or attending NEC
decisions which is the effect of him being suspended as a "leader".
It follows that Mr Pruaitch's justification of his new portfolio can
be said that he wants to be a minister without the name "leader"
because under the name leader, he is suspended.
Can the Judiciary see how important it is to protect its independence
or continue to subject itself from political interference?
I am concerned because we are setting double standards and weakening
the institutions that we look up to as our beacon of hope.
Where is the rule of law?
The Prime Minister is in clear contempt and should be cited for
contempt of court.
I reiterate that this is not the first time that the Prime Minister did this.
He is known for interfering and scandalising the judiciary.
We cannot allow that to happen.
I do not need to influence the judiciary as they are learned people
who know the legal implications of this issue.
What I am saying here is my concern as a national leader to protect
the independence of the judiciary.
Tribunal finds prime minister guilty of 13 counts
By JULIA DAIA BORE and JACOB POK
THE courtroom was packed to capacity when the decision was handed down at 1.30pm, The National reports.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sat expressionless as the judgment was read by tribunal chairman Roger Gyles, in summary.
It took no more than five minutes as he summarised the tribunal’s main findings.
The tribunal also said they would be making recommendations, relating to this proceeding, to the head of state, the governor-general.
However, prior to making any recommendations to Government House, pursuant to section 27(5) of the Organic Law on leadership, it would “provide an opportunity for further submissions and/or evidence”.
These, it will hear today at 9.30am through submissions on penalty from both parties.
Sir Michael is the first prime minister to be tried by the leadership tribunal in relation to his annual returns from 1994 to 1997.
The not guilty and dismissed charges related to his returns between May 1997 and May 2004.
The latter years were regarded as “unnecessary” and not pressed by the prosecution because they were outside the 1994-97 period which the Ombudsman Commission had initially investigated and brought charges against in 2006.
Of the 13 guilty charges, eight were allegations relating to incomplete statements while five counts were related to delay in providing such statements to the ombudsman.
In the 44-page judgment, the judges explained that there were no other allegations of corrupt practices or breach of any substantive provisions of the Organic Law on leadership by Sir Michael except the allegations on delay and incomplete statements.
In respect of Sir Michael’s duty under section 4 of the Organic Law on leadership, to provide to the Ombudsman Commission timely and complete annual financial statements, the tribunal:
* Found him not guilty of all three of the effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by failure to provide such statements, namely allegations 2, 3 and 4, and had summarily dismissed two others, namely allegations 1 and 5, as unnecessary;
* Found him guilty of all five of the effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by delay in providing such statements to the Ombudsman Commission, namely allegations 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12, and had summarily dismissed three others, namely allegations 6 and 13 as unnecessary and allegation 11 as it was not pressed by the public prosecutor; and
* Found him guilty of the eight effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by providing to the Ombudsman Commission incomplete statements, namely allegations, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24, and had summarily dismissed four others, namely allegations 14 and 25 as unnecessary and allegations 17 and 22 as they were not pressed by the public prosecutor.
 |
| Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare leaving the Waigani court premises with his deputy Sam Abal after yesterday's leadership tribunal found the prime minister guilty of 13 counts.-Nationalpic by EKAR KEAPU |
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare sat expressionless as the judgment was read by tribunal chairman Roger Gyles, in summary.
It took no more than five minutes as he summarised the tribunal’s main findings.
The tribunal also said they would be making recommendations, relating to this proceeding, to the head of state, the governor-general.
However, prior to making any recommendations to Government House, pursuant to section 27(5) of the Organic Law on leadership, it would “provide an opportunity for further submissions and/or evidence”.
These, it will hear today at 9.30am through submissions on penalty from both parties.
Sir Michael is the first prime minister to be tried by the leadership tribunal in relation to his annual returns from 1994 to 1997.
The not guilty and dismissed charges related to his returns between May 1997 and May 2004.
The latter years were regarded as “unnecessary” and not pressed by the prosecution because they were outside the 1994-97 period which the Ombudsman Commission had initially investigated and brought charges against in 2006.
Of the 13 guilty charges, eight were allegations relating to incomplete statements while five counts were related to delay in providing such statements to the ombudsman.
In the 44-page judgment, the judges explained that there were no other allegations of corrupt practices or breach of any substantive provisions of the Organic Law on leadership by Sir Michael except the allegations on delay and incomplete statements.
In respect of Sir Michael’s duty under section 4 of the Organic Law on leadership, to provide to the Ombudsman Commission timely and complete annual financial statements, the tribunal:
* Found him not guilty of all three of the effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by failure to provide such statements, namely allegations 2, 3 and 4, and had summarily dismissed two others, namely allegations 1 and 5, as unnecessary;
* Found him guilty of all five of the effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by delay in providing such statements to the Ombudsman Commission, namely allegations 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12, and had summarily dismissed three others, namely allegations 6 and 13 as unnecessary and allegation 11 as it was not pressed by the public prosecutor; and
* Found him guilty of the eight effective allegations against him of misconduct in office by providing to the Ombudsman Commission incomplete statements, namely allegations, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24, and had summarily dismissed four others, namely allegations 14 and 25 as unnecessary and allegations 17 and 22 as they were not pressed by the public prosecutor.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Highlands farming field day at Tambul
By MALUM NALU
Picturesque Tambul, Western Highlands, on the foothills of the majestic Mt Giluwe, came alive last Saturday when National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) highlands regional centre staged its third annual field day.
This event coincided with the 46th NARI council meeting which was held at Tambul last Friday, however, a lower-than-anticipated crowd attended the event.
An icy-cold typical Tambul downpour also cut short the event and had visitors running for cover.
With the theme ‘Enhancing sustainable farming for rural farmers’, the event provided an opportunity for the people of Tambul and visitors alike to learn about activities undertaken, meet scientific and technical staff, tour the grounds and facilities, and gather information on other activities NARI undertakes throughout the country.
This event provided the chance to people to find out more about the research and development activities undertaken by NARI in the high altitude highlands region of PNG and how they can source and adopt them.
Tambul MP and Minister for Civil Aviation, Benjamin Poponawa, was the chief guest, and was disappointed that not many people attended, given that his electorate is the capital of potatoes and fresh vegetables in the country.
‘Many more of our people should be here, however, they are not aware of the event,” he said.
“There should be more awareness about such activities in future.”
NARI council chairman Dr John Kola urged the local people to be proud that such an important institution was located on their land, and urged them to look after it.
“What is developed here will benefit the whole country,” he told them.
“When you look after this place, you are contributing to the development of Papua New Guinea.”
Major activities that were displayed and demonstrated include kaukau (sweet potato) silage-making for pig feed, village broiler production, improved pasture species, wheat milling and cooking, high-yielding pyrethrum clones, early-maturing kaukau varieties, and mini tuber production of selected potato clones.
Representatives from divisions of primary industry in Enga and Western Highlands provinces, Enga Pyrethrum Company, National Development Bank, National Micro-Bank, Correctional Services of Baisu, Porgera Joint Venture, Christian Leaders Training College, Tambul/Nebilyer district administration, Fresh Produce Development Agency, Jiwaka Women’s Association, Highlands Farmers and Piggery Association, MKL Vegetables, Laiagam district project office, farmers, and school children, attended the day.
Field days such as the one staged in Tambul are one of the means that NARI uses to allow stakeholders to come together to share information, exchange views and see for themselves the agricultural technologies and innovations being developed and tested.
Similar open days are organised in all NARI regional centres around the country, including the annual innovations show, which will be staged on May 5 at the Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre at Bubia, outside Lae.
 |
| Fresh Produce Development officer Conrad Anton (right) explains the work of FPDA at the field day.-Picture by MALUM NALU |
This event coincided with the 46th NARI council meeting which was held at Tambul last Friday, however, a lower-than-anticipated crowd attended the event.
An icy-cold typical Tambul downpour also cut short the event and had visitors running for cover.
With the theme ‘Enhancing sustainable farming for rural farmers’, the event provided an opportunity for the people of Tambul and visitors alike to learn about activities undertaken, meet scientific and technical staff, tour the grounds and facilities, and gather information on other activities NARI undertakes throughout the country.
This event provided the chance to people to find out more about the research and development activities undertaken by NARI in the high altitude highlands region of PNG and how they can source and adopt them.
Tambul MP and Minister for Civil Aviation, Benjamin Poponawa, was the chief guest, and was disappointed that not many people attended, given that his electorate is the capital of potatoes and fresh vegetables in the country.
‘Many more of our people should be here, however, they are not aware of the event,” he said.
“There should be more awareness about such activities in future.”
NARI council chairman Dr John Kola urged the local people to be proud that such an important institution was located on their land, and urged them to look after it.
“What is developed here will benefit the whole country,” he told them.
“When you look after this place, you are contributing to the development of Papua New Guinea.”
Major activities that were displayed and demonstrated include kaukau (sweet potato) silage-making for pig feed, village broiler production, improved pasture species, wheat milling and cooking, high-yielding pyrethrum clones, early-maturing kaukau varieties, and mini tuber production of selected potato clones.
Representatives from divisions of primary industry in Enga and Western Highlands provinces, Enga Pyrethrum Company, National Development Bank, National Micro-Bank, Correctional Services of Baisu, Porgera Joint Venture, Christian Leaders Training College, Tambul/Nebilyer district administration, Fresh Produce Development Agency, Jiwaka Women’s Association, Highlands Farmers and Piggery Association, MKL Vegetables, Laiagam district project office, farmers, and school children, attended the day.
Field days such as the one staged in Tambul are one of the means that NARI uses to allow stakeholders to come together to share information, exchange views and see for themselves the agricultural technologies and innovations being developed and tested.
Similar open days are organised in all NARI regional centres around the country, including the annual innovations show, which will be staged on May 5 at the Sir Alkan Tololo Research Centre at Bubia, outside Lae.
Do away with ‘paper farmers’
By MALUM NALU
Tambul-Nebilyer MP and Civil Aviation Minister Benjamin Poponawa says the lessons of the massive corruption involved in the national agriculture development plan (NADP) must never be repeated if agriculture in Papua New Guinea is to prosper.
Poponawa, an outspoken critic of the NADP despite being in government and a member of the ruling National Alliance, said this last Saturday at the Nation Agriculture Research Institute field day at its high altitude research station in Tambul.
Tambul-Nebilyer is famous for producing the best potatoes and fresh vegetables in the country, and is already contributing in a big way towards development of agriculture in this country, with the research station.
It also has some of the best services found in a rural area such as good roads, health, education, mobile phone, district treasury and internet to enable NARI scientists and local people to be in touch with the world.
Tribal fighting and law and order issues have been kept to a bare minimum, and local people respect government facilities at the station.
Poponawa has, in the past, been blunt in his anger at NADP funds being stolen by “paper farmers” in Waigani who may have never touched a fork or spade in their lives.
“We already know the experience of the NADP,” he said at the field day.
“The people who ran the NADP did not think about the people, rather, about filling their own pockets.”
Poponawa called on the government not to forget about agriculture, despite the massive resource developments in the country such as gas, minerals and oil.
“Agriculture will be with us all the time,” he said.
“Gas, oil and gold will run out.
“The government should give more recognition to agriculture.”
Poponawa, who announced that he would give K50, 000 from his electoral funds to support the work of NARI, commended the organisation for its work in assisting the farmers of PNG.
“Tambul is privileged for NARI to be based here,” he said.
“NARI is an organization for the whole of PNG so I appeal to you, the local people, not to disrupt the work of NARI.
“I also thank NARI council for choosing to have its meeting in Tambul, rather than an expensive hotel in town.
“We want more scientists to come and be based here at Tambul.
“We have everything here.
“We have created a more-conduicive environment for scientists to come and be based here.”
 |
| Tambul-Nebilyer MP and Civil Aviation Minister Benjamin Poponawa (right) listening attentively to NARI dought preparedness project team leader Akkinapally Ramakrishna at the field day in Tambul.-Picture by MALUM NALU |
Poponawa, an outspoken critic of the NADP despite being in government and a member of the ruling National Alliance, said this last Saturday at the Nation Agriculture Research Institute field day at its high altitude research station in Tambul.
Tambul-Nebilyer is famous for producing the best potatoes and fresh vegetables in the country, and is already contributing in a big way towards development of agriculture in this country, with the research station.
It also has some of the best services found in a rural area such as good roads, health, education, mobile phone, district treasury and internet to enable NARI scientists and local people to be in touch with the world.
Tribal fighting and law and order issues have been kept to a bare minimum, and local people respect government facilities at the station.
Poponawa has, in the past, been blunt in his anger at NADP funds being stolen by “paper farmers” in Waigani who may have never touched a fork or spade in their lives.
“We already know the experience of the NADP,” he said at the field day.
“The people who ran the NADP did not think about the people, rather, about filling their own pockets.”
Poponawa called on the government not to forget about agriculture, despite the massive resource developments in the country such as gas, minerals and oil.
“Agriculture will be with us all the time,” he said.
“Gas, oil and gold will run out.
“The government should give more recognition to agriculture.”
Poponawa, who announced that he would give K50, 000 from his electoral funds to support the work of NARI, commended the organisation for its work in assisting the farmers of PNG.
“Tambul is privileged for NARI to be based here,” he said.
“NARI is an organization for the whole of PNG so I appeal to you, the local people, not to disrupt the work of NARI.
“I also thank NARI council for choosing to have its meeting in Tambul, rather than an expensive hotel in town.
“We want more scientists to come and be based here at Tambul.
“We have everything here.
“We have created a more-conduicive environment for scientists to come and be based here.”
Somare found guilty of official misconduct
By ABC Papua New Guinea correspondent Liam Fox
Papua New Guinea's prime minister has been found guilty of official
misconduct after failing to properly lodge financial returns.
It was alleged Sir Michael Somare failed to properly lodge more than a
decade's worth of annual financial returns with PNG's corruption
watchdog.
A special leadership tribunal made up of three foreign judges found
him guilty of five counts of filing returns late.
It also found him guilty of eight counts of filing incomplete returns
after he left out details of his salary and bank balances.
But he was found not guilty of failing to lodge any returns at all
over a three-year period in the 1990s.
The tribunal will hear submissions on penalties tomorrow.
Politicians who have been found guilty of similar offences in the past
have been handed small fines
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