Karai bilong Kumul

Mr Philemon sums it up

2009-04-16T10:21:00.001+10:00

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090409/news07.htm

Opposition slams plan to buy VIP jet

THE Opposition has slammed the Government over its plans to buy a K128 million Falcon jet.
Deputy Opposition Leader Bart Philemon said the Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare “does not care and has lost all sense of
shame”.
“Just last month, we increased MPs vehicle allowance by 50 per cent and housing allowance by 42 per cent - much to the embarrassment and
shame of some of us,” Mr Philemon said.
“And now the Government has robbed another priority expenditure to add to the budgeted K40 million from 2008 to purchase a Falcon jet.”
Mr Philemon said it was common knowledge that such an aircraft would be for the exclusive use of a few — the Prime Minister and his Cabinet
Ministers.
“And what is this about the difficulties the Prime Minister has with leg room on the current Kumul plane as a basis for the purchase of a
Falcon jet. How absurd can we get?
“What defies any rationale is that this Falcon Jet will only be able to land on four airports — Jackson in Port Moresby, Nadzab in Lae,
Vanimo in Sandaun and Tokua in East New Britain.
"What about the other airports in the other provinces and Bougainville? On what basis is this aircraft going to be bought given this glaring
limitation?
“How many times will our development partners remind us of our poor social indicators?
“How many times will taxpayers and our constituents decry the deteriorating roads and bridges?
“In short, when is this National Alliance-led Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare going to get its priorities right?
“Time and time again, I have, based on the untabled Right-Sizing the Public Sector Report report, highlighted that:
l K20 million could go to pay for medical supplies to provide a full course of vaccinations for nearly 32,000 young children per year
l K10 million could pay for elementary schools for 34,000 per year
l K10 million could pay for regravelling of 60 kilometres of road
l K20 million could pay for single coat re-sealing of 200 kilometres of road
l K25 million could pay for an additional 1650 police increasing manpower strength by some 33 per cent.
“Given the unnecessary deaths of our mothers and children, can I call on the Government to reconsider its decision?
“Stop reinforcing the image of us politicians as self-serving MPs who do not care for our people,” Mr Philemon said.

Kumuls

2008-10-25T08:41:00.009+10:00

The Kumuls play their first 08 World Cup game today! Best wishes to them! Let's show them how we make them in PNG!

Blog update coming soon.

26/10/08: Last night was an AWESOME game by the boys! Seriously gave England a run for their money and truley showed them how tough we are! That ridiculous call by the ref, allowing a try from a blatant forward pass meant England won by 10 points but the outcome could have been different had they been called out. There was also an incorrect penalty given to England for a knock-on from Costigan which I was unimpressed with. Regardless, I am so proud of our boys and hope to see them play with the same guts and determination in the upcoming games!! GO KUMULS, FUL SAPOT!!

Quickly

2008-09-28T12:05:00.012+10:00

Remember when I mentioned the rumours about Mr Duma and petroleum licenses? Well this came up in the news a few weeks back about the prolonged delays with licences. Could it be these companies aren't paying that extra side money?
Still keeping an eye on the Lupari case, its been thrown back down to the National Court so we have to wait around for that one. I wonder whats happening with the Somare v Ila Geno case?
The Unitech student protest was on the mark! I've blogged on this before, the question of why when the Government is convincing us of all these budget surpluses and a happening economy is life getting tougher for most people.
On a good note, there's $700m going to education and an apparent $3b sitting around waiting to be used. No Mr Tiensten, don't get rid of it fast quick, sit down, put some thought into it and address the fundamentals that aren't obviously being addressed with mothers mortality rates doubling in the last 10 years!
For all my fears of propaganda TV, i do appreciate the showcasing of PNG films/talent on the government station.
Oh and anyone noticed improvement in the Immigration office since the overhaul?

To end, I've blogged about the importance of national ideology before, the need to unite everybody from grassroots up so we can progress together. The other day I had a conversation with someone who told me of his experience working at one the mines. He said he was in charge of a team who had to do some preliminary work (can't remember the correct terms) before the actual mining operations could start. They were pushed for time and he really needed to get his team moving but he had never worked with these guys before and they were from all over PNG. His words, "hau bai ol harim tok bilong mi, mi man nambis na ol bilong ol narapela, narapela ap." So what did he do, he went through team exercises with them, broke down the cultural differences, told them what their goal was, educated them on what exactly it was they were trying to achieve and why and they had to get the job done! His point? Unless everybody knows what the end goal is and why we want to achieve it, they'll get lost and take issue with petty differences like what part of the country we originate from. We need a "cultural identity", national ideology, a clear goal for this country, a motto even, that we are all aware of, whether you are a villager or Supreme Court Judge, and that's the only way we can progress united. It's brainwashing maybe but that's how nations progress and remain resiliant to disruptive factors.

Condolences, Kimisopa, Olga, TV propaganda

2008-09-26T09:38:00.004+10:00

Firstly, condolences to the family of Mike Manning the TIPNG Chairman. Very sad loss for the whole of PNG, Mr Manning was known for speaking out about corruption in PNG without fear. Unexpected deaths like this always bring out theories and this is one I heard from an employee of TIPNG and apparently is something a lot of people who knew him think: Mr Manning was apparently poisoned. Conspiracy or not, I leave that up to you.

Meanwhile, here are some interesting tidbits.

First the Bire Kimisopa case against Thompson Harokaveh. Now this case has been going on for ages. After the trial bit was over the judge, Justice Hinchcliffe, apparently fell sick and went away to Brisbane, delaying the verdict for over 4 months and now the Judge has returned but it's not clear whether he has yet delivered a verdict. By the time this whole thing gets sorted the next elections will be around and that's too long a time to have a promising leader like Mr Kimisopa out of Parliament. There must also be issues of the right to a speedy trial/delay of justice in there somewhere, i'm sure.

Staying in the highlands, Piace Wingti's case against Tom Olga was won and has now gone to an appeal. Meanwhile, the general feeling in WHP is that Mr Olga is doing nothing and cashing up big time. Olga is a tribesmen of Minister of Internal Security, Sani Rambi, who apparently contributed some some to Olga's election campaign and is now reaping the rewards with a huge number of his hire cars (Mountain Hire Car) being used by the WHP provincial government and Olga minions with million dollar checks being made out to Mr Rambi. Meanwhile a few other smaller car hire companies are still waiting on payment from Mr Olga for cars he used during his campaign and some he has continued to use. Apparently Mr Olga made a lot of promises during his campaign and is now busy writing the checks before an untimely end to his term through the courts. What I want to know is why in the hell the WHP provincial government needs so many cars when there is so little in terms of development going on.

The National Court has also ruled against Sir Arnold Amet but he has asked for a review of the decision by the Supreme Court so fingers crossed.

Oh and the government tv station...Maybe I'm over reacting but wouldn't this be such a great propaganda tool? Think Suharto's Indonesia with the Government TV station and regulated media. Hmmm.

Letter to Mr Polye

2008-09-26T09:00:00.006+10:00

Below is the letter to the Minister for Transport and Civil Avition asking for ICAO standards in our civil aviation system. Please mail to Mr Polye and to newspapers.

PNG Parliament: P.O. Parliament House, Waigani, NCD, Papua New Guinea
The National: letters@thenational.com.pg
Post Courier: editorial@spp.com.pg

Dear Mr Polye

While watching a recent story on Australian ABC’s Foreign Correspondent program, I was appalled to witness the current state of the PNG civil aviation system. Papua New Guinea, being a country of difficult terrain, heavily relies on air transportation and it is, therefore, imperative that our civil aviation system is maintained at the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

I ask that the PNG Civil Aviation Department be given the appropriate finances and structures to implement ICAO standards in PNG. Poor aviation standards in PNG will continue to lead to loss of lives that could become catastrophic. I implore against this and ask for your government’s immediate action.

Yours sincerely

Kumul Karai.

Integrity of Political Parties & Candidates

2008-08-19T12:50:00.013+10:00

So I was talking about looking at the organic laws on the integrity of political parties and candidates and it must have meant to have been because unbeknownst to me, in a personal email i received a day before i blogged, a friend had actually sent me a bunch of documents including that very piece of legislation.

I had a look at it and to tell you the truth it the bulk of it is good in terms of bringing stability. I had read a newspaper article that indicated it was very restrictive and here are some of the restrictions it places that are onerous:

s57: Members of a registered political party can not resign from the party unless they do within a 3 month period before the next elections are called. Further, resignation must be tendered with 30 days of the 3 month period. ie; So if elections are being called in December 2008, you can only quit your political party in September 2008. The only other way of quiting your political party is to show that the party committed a serious breach of its own constitution or has been made insolvent. The onus being on the person wishing to quit the party. Resignation for any other reason amounts to misconduct in office. So say, an independent member joined a party before parliament resumed after an election and 1 year into it finds he/she can't support the actions of that party any longer, it really is a "too bad buddy" situation. That member is stuck with that party for the whole 5 year term!
s75 & s81: Citizens and non-citizens can donate a maximum of K 500 000 to candidates and political parties. Donating more than that results in a K10 000 fine or jail for no more than 2 years. Are you kidding me? K 500 000! If someone had more than that to donate, i'm sure they are not about to be perturbed by a mere K10 000 fine. Why is the maximum amount so huge? The US Presidential candidates can only have max donations of $US 4600! K 500 000 (or more) is preposterous and allows for favour-buying.

Something interesting though:

s42(d): The Commission may cancel the registration of a registered political party where – the party without reasonable justification, fails to file financial returns, as required by this Law, for two consecutive years.

I know Somare hasn't been filing them but what about his party? If NA hasn't either then here's another way to get rid of them.

P.S the 18 months grace period for votes of no confidence is contained in s145 of the Constitution.

In other news, PNG will be one of the four Pacific countries Australia involves in their Pacific Solution/working visa arrangement. This makes me very happy because I swear I read just the other day that PNG would in fact NOT be one of the countries in the pilot program and was poised over my keyboard ready to cry out at the unjustice of it all!

Also, because I can't keep up with the hypocrisy, I will now have a column on the side for "Somare says" so we can all keep track of his "fight against corruption." I won't front, I started this blog to give an objective as possible insight on PNG politics and corruption but when the PM continues in the way he has, it's really hard not to just disbelieve and remain sceptical of everything he does say.

Here are two very good letters to the editor from The National: http://www.thenational.com.pg/081908/letter1.php, and; http://www.thenational.com.pg/081908/letter5.php. I strongly agree with the latter, the only way this country can really progress is by developing our human resources in a well- rounded way, education + attitude development, and I have blogged about the importance of ideology before.

Before I leave, here is a blog by a Papua New Guinean really trying to empower the people. I've heard about him and read his column but haven't yet read one of his books which I hope to get around to, he is the type of Papua New Guinean that gives me hope for our country: http://tirikuimbakul.blogspot.com/

Coming up soon: issues/rumours about the judiciary and its independence.

Oh and how much faith can we have in the Finance Department's new corporate plan?

What's up, What's happening

2008-08-17T19:57:00.008+10:00

So what has been going on PNG?

1) The Somare/Moti/Defence Board Inquiry Supreme Court Appeal: Was there actually an appeal? What stage are we at? Generally, what is going on? If anyone has info please update me, meanwhile i'll be on the hunt for an update from sources too. You can certainly tell I haven't been up with all my current affairs.

What I do know is that Moti is now back in Australia facing the child sex offences he ran from and into the safety of PNG, where our Government had no problems with sending him, VIP like, to the Solomons, using state property and services! Newcomers are welcome to browse my old post on this which looks into the legality of the whole Moti debacle.

2) The sacking of Issac Lupari, the Chief Secretary to Government: Mr Lupari has asked for a judicial review of the decision to sack him. He has/had two cases pending, with primary defendants being Somare and the Public Service Commission. I see the National Court was due to hand down its decision for Mr Lupari's action against Somare on 21 July 2008, what was the verdict?

3) And before he goes out of office, the Chief Ombudsman, Ila Geno, has attempted to reel Somare in. Somare lost his bid to have an injunction granted against the OC's inquiry and now he is appealing it. Apparently there was a mention before the National Court on 24 July 2008 but i wonder if a trial date was set and when? Well done to the OC nonetheless for doing their job!

4) Here is a link to a very good article summarising some of the happenings in PNG politics in the last 6 months: http://www.islandsbusiness.com/islands_business/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=18031/overideSkinName=issueArticle-full.tpl. Such as Somare and his problems with the OC and Lupari and the power struggle going-on between Government pollies for the big seat once Somare e v e n t u a l l y decides to retire. The best/quickest way right now for Somare to lose his throne (and there are so many reasons why) and for political power to be decentralised (let's face it, no one PNG PM has accumulated as much political power, influence and total disregard for proper processes as Somare) is for the government to break down from inside. Right now is when Chan and Morouta should be playing the old "divide & conquer" card. If our politicians weren't so greedy, people like Polye would have started walking away from Government some 6 months ago. I wish he would and lead a mass exodus with him. I'm not for a unstable country but neither am i for an autocracy or an oligarchy!

5) What do you think about Chan asking for the organic law on the integrity of political parties and candidates to be scrapped? I believe the initial intention behind it was good, i mean think back to the time when we had government changes every few months, however, i agree there is potential for exploitation, especially where the grace period is a whole 18 MONTHS!? 12 months should be the max, and if elections in PNG weren't such a big, violent, money- wasting hoopla I would even champion shorter electoral terms of 3 years. I know these integrity laws actually encompass more than a grace period and i need to really look at them because they may actually cause more restrictions than they are worth.

6) Also, how damn long is that finance inquiry taking?! According to the PNG Gossip Newsletter, "Chairman of the commission looking into the Finance Department, Maurice Sheehan, is still waiting on the K13 million promised by Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare in May. The commission has three months remaining to finalise a report for the Prime Minister to present to Parliament."

To end this first real back blogging, here's a bit more ~crazy~ talk from the Rt Hon Grand Chief, M T Somare, GCL GCMG CH CF KStJ Prime Minister http://www.pm.gov.pg/pmsoffice/pmsoffice.nsf/pages/0038CE0D9B4D4D204A2573AD00207C8F?OpenDocument. Do you really know what the people deserve Mr Somare? They deserve the truth and they deserve leadership and respect from their "leaders" for the laws and institutions of this country!

Pettiness

2008-08-17T16:43:00.016+10:00

Petty: Marked by narrowness of mind, ideas, or views. Answers.com

Now, while Ryan Pini has been swimming his heart out trying to make PNG and Pacific Islands history, other people have been marring it with general pettiness.

Apparently, some people are still looking at this blog and the other day I got forwarded the following email conversation from someone who has volunteered to guest blog. Identities were edited so I don't know these people but I gather they have all been educated overseas and some are still living outside the country. They also all sound like book smart people so why such a conversation would even have begun in the first place is beyond me. Why such prejudice is an "issue" when I could list 10 more important issues up for debate in PNG in under 30 secs, is also beyond me. But the thing that most frustrates me is that this conversation/debate took place when probably for the first time in a long time, the whole of PNG was united in one hope- success for Pini and for PNG.

I'm not sure if the contributor forwarded this to me to open up discussions on the privleges of being white in PNG but as you can see, the issue here for me is how petty the "problem" being discussed was in light of Pini's achievements and their greater meaning to the whole of the country.

Anyway, i'll let you all read the following and see what you make of it, before you do, here is a quote from rapper T.I:

"I think racism should only bother you if it prevents you from doing something that you should have the right to do, like voting, using the same bathrooms, or sitting where you want to on the bus. But white people being racist, as long as it ain’t really affecting you, just take it for what it’s worth–ignorance."

(scroll down and read from the bottom up)
From: EO
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Subject: Re:
To: DK, WM, JO
Cc: JM, LA, NS
D, I don't see how my comments could be construed as rascist. You and I both know expats get a better deal in PNG so lets keep it real here.

By the way, whats with the term 'nationals'? why the fuck are we called that? again, must we be labelled in our own country...that term in itself has such a colonial overtone to it and yet "educated" papua new guineans continue to call themselves and each other that. Why don't we just revert to calling ourselves "natives" while we're at it. People still use the term "Masta" for fucks sake! Isn't that indicative of whats been ingrained in the national psyche? That one is inferior because one isn't a "Masta" or a "wait man"?

The value of an education largely hinges on whats done with it. Some of PNG's brightest are community-school educated (Clement Waine for example) and some of our greatest deadshits have an overseas education. The ordinary shop assistant may not be educated but I've heard so many of my educated friends use the term "masta". Fat lot of good an education has done in getting rid of that mindset!

Have a good weekend all and yes, Go PNG!

E.
p.s To those who haven't said much on this, sorry to have inundated your inboxes.

----- Original Message ----
From: DK
To: EO ; WM ; JO
Cc: JM; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 4:33:37 PM
Subject: RE:
HAHAHA… You both sound like a bunch of farking racists!!! So now you’re racist against expatriates just because nationals are racist toward you. For some reason I don’t think that’s going to resolve anything but rather harness greater division amongst the two races.

The reason is quite simple i.e. the ordinary shop assistant is not educated. Education is key folks. Our mindsets need to change quick smart because right now it totally stinks. You seriously cannot tell me there is no difference in the quality of education in PNG and in Australia ? If you are then you need to come back home for a reality check.

Look guys it’s Friday; so don’t hang yourself over this debate. Seriously though… GO PNG!!!!!!!

Laikim na lukim

From: WM
Date: Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 3:35 PM
Subject: Re:
To: JO
Cc: DK, EO, JM, LA, NS
I'm not taking sides here J, my opinion just happens to be in line with D’s and JM’s, now that I've read JM's reply. There is a big difference between Australian and PNGean education and that is just a fact. There is also a big difference between living in Australia and PNG.

I agree E that we do still treat white people with deference in PNG and that is a throwback from colonialism which will one day change as more and more people get an education and realise, hey, we are the same as them, the only thing different is the colour of our skin. No doubt some white folks live protected lives in PNG but I know a few outside Pom who live and socialise with other PNGeans. This is especially true of those with children who have grown up in PNG and been raised with other PNG children. We have to remember, some PNG folks live very protected lives too, especially in Pom where the elitism is really quite obvious sometimes. I suppose it's good to look at it objectively.

Anyway, you all have a good weekend and let's hope Pini brings his A game tomorrow!

On 8/15/08, JO wrote:
I don't think it's a matter of agreeing with so and so, it is an interesting debate that has been brought up- we are all of different opinions. at the end of the day we are all proud PNGeans. I did not put the question forward so that people can take sides, I was just interested in your thoughts.

On the spectrum of education - what is the opposite scale of International education ? I think Education is Education. we are all educated the same way at the end of the day - International education is the same as National education or whatever there is. If you talk to someone on the other side of the world, they will understand when you ask them what 1+1= (if they have been to school) -There is no disctinction between international education or National education? We are all taught the same basic maths, geography, biology,chemistry, english,physics what not......elaborate on what you mean by international education. But then again that is a totally different topic right?

From: EO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 4:11 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; JM ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
W, well said.

However, I think we Papua New Guineans have perfected our own version of the tall poppy syndrome. We very rarely uplift our own but subject them to rumours , jealousy and innuendo when we see them achieving be it at sport, professionally or in academia. It is a cancer of our own making and something we as a nation have to address.

I also see J's point. There is not point denying colour and race in a country like Papua New Guinea when colour and race are huge facto rs . You see it every day in PNG even in an ordinary place like a shop....a shop assistant will crawl up the arse of a white man before he/she deigns to smile at my black face!

As an aside, Ryan's parents are to be commended for paying for their son's achievements. These are the same parents who live in a rather exclusive enclave in Port Moresby ....much like the rest of the expats who live in PNG.

----- Original Message ----
From: WM
To: JO
Cc: DK ; EO; JM ; LA ; NS
Sent: Friday, 15 August, 2008 3:39:11 PM
Subject: Re:
I'm going to have to agree with D on this.

The fact that other PNG athletes can't afford to train in world class facilities is no one's fault but successive PNG Governments! I'm not going to blame Ryan's parents for affording to get him fi rs t class training facilities. I think just the same amount of respect given to Pini is given to other PNG athletes, the only difference is that Pini competes in a more popular sport that garners more attention, just the same attention would be given to a PNGean that excelled to that level in say the 100m sprint.

There are comparisons to be drawn with an international education. Should the fact that we are here enjoying a better standard of living and a better education system (and undoubtedly more opportunities) be held against us because our country can't provide the same? No. My mama works hard for me to be here and yes other PNGeans may not get the same opportunity and that is sad but it's not our fault. If anything, we are more selfish because at the end of the day we are doing it to better ou rs elves whereas athletes like Pini have the opportunity to unite a nation and bring them pride!

From: JM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:27 PM
To: WM ; JO
Cc: DK; EO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re
Hi guys,

Been avoiding the politics not to play it safe but only cause I’m getting hammered here today na can’t email much but really felt the need to addim tingting blo mi.

I find it offensive that as PNGeans we always come back to black, white, mixed raced, Central, Sepik, Enga what ever. I think the situation is no different in an athletes case as it is to any other, this is still a profession. Opportunities present themselves whether because we excel academically or professionally or our parents have the cash what ever and these allow us to venture beyond PNG and gain experience and training in our respective fields, represent our country abroad and hopefully give back to PNG on some level at some stage.

I think everyone on this email list is an example of this. We have had other athletes in the past who have had the chance to train abroad Ann Mooney, Stanley Nandex himself, Marcus Bai etc and I don’t think we need to cut these people down for doing so, they are still ambassadors and valid representatives. We’re currently doing that ourselves (correct me if there are those of you on this list that I don’t know who are currently at home). We have doctors, lawyers, engineers, geotechs, pilots, nurses etc doing this every day of the week.

A fair playing field is the ideal but it will not be a reality for a long time to come, I think we need to take advantage of the opportunities we can to promote PNG, enhance skills and god willing return to give back.

Ryan Pini’s colour and training ground should not be an issue and if it is I guess this would mean there is an issue with a whole lot of people including myself as I am both PNG educated with a tertiary qualification from Australia and now onto post graduate study in Australia (by choice) and I am half PNG, half Australian with my lewa in the Waghi Valley.

Tok tasol

JM

On Fri, Aug 15, 2008 at 12:37 PM, JO wrote:
What are you talking about? I don't see the link between international education and olympic athletes. Please expand or clarify.

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:31 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
So what's your view on international education?

From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:29 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
D good on him for wearing the country's colors , but I am not proud of a man who trains in Australia when all our athletes are back in PNG -

If he gets such a high standard of training then why can't our other athletes get the same- they should all have the same standard across the board.

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:27 PM
To: JO ; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
J, plis yu painim wok o? What you on about and what's colour got to do with anything?!?! He's wearing the country's colours , so be proud!

From: JO
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:20 PM
To: DK; ' WM '; ' EO '
Cc: ' JM '; ' LA '; ' NS '
Subject: RE:
General question to all- Would people be just as excited if he wasn't white?

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 3:16 PM
To: WM ; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
Shit! I'm so pumped I got the time wrong. It's 1210h rs (AEST) tomorrow and not 1220h rs .

Catch

From: DK
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 2:14 PM
To: ' WM '; EO
Cc: JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: RE:
He's done the nation proud just to get in! I'm so happy for him… mind you I nearly had a heart attack in the last 50m! 1220h rs (AEST) tomorrow guys… make sure you're watching!

…And E you get your little arse to the nearest pub to watch the race… No excuses! Despite the result, you'll be viewing PNG History!!!

From: WM
Sent: Friday, 15 August 2008 1:48 PM
To: EO
Cc: DK; JM ; JO ; LA ; NS
Subject: Re:
He raced Phelps and made it to the finals!! Boy even beat Phelps at the turn! Honest hamamas kills, let's pray he has an awesome swim tomorrow

Good luck Ryan!

2008-08-14T15:55:00.006+10:00

Damn. It's been a long time! But I'd like to come back by first wishing Ryan Pini the best of luck tonight!! I know he will give it his best and we can all hope it'll be a medal best! More on sports and its contribution to nation-building when i get into the swing of things.

Update 15/08/08: Pini has made the 100m Butterfly Finals!! Same heat as Phelps na mangi blo yumi pulled through! Pini has a way of responding to pressure and competition so God be with him tomorrow when he takes the mighty Phelps on and shows them how we make them in PNG!

Update 16/08/08: Ryan did an awesome job getting into the finals! He came 8th but made history by becoming the first Papua New Guinean ever to swim an Olympic final! Well done Pini, you have truly done us proud!

Back with bitters

2007-12-02T03:37:00.000+10:00

Poll results (multiple votes allowed): 72% of you felt the PM should resign because it is ethical to do so and 52% because the people have lost confidence in the PM and his office. 20% of you felt the PM should remain until found guilty by a court and 4% of you didn’t know or didn’t care. Overwhelming support for the Chief to STAND DOWN.

I’m back. Finally. Gosh it’s hard doing this blogging thing, especially when it sometimes seems so pointless. I pretty much got discouraged after reading this bullshit in the papers. Having only just drafted a letter to Dadae. Then I had work and more work and work and…it’s too damn easy to make it all about you and forget the bigger picture, of what is really going on, again, especially when it sometimes feels so pointless. But I’ve returned and many thanks to those who emailed me and encouraged the site!

So let’s do a whole 3-week backtrack on what has gone down in PNG.

Moti
First, as mentioned, Dadae and his plain stupidity. Since when is he, as a member of Parliament, able to overrule court findings? At least one good thing came out of it, well two, not only did Salika resoundly slap him down, but it’s now confirmed for all that there is in fact an appeal pending on the case. But when does that go through? What are we waiting on? Meanwhile, Dadae is being thrown into court for contempt and along with him some very senior news people. If they were in contempt, good on the Court but what I really want from the Supreme Court is a hearing of Somare’s appeal and a final decision. How long will this thing drag out for?

Again, I’m disappointed by the restrictions on civil society in PNG. Though apparently I’m not joined in this view by my friend Freddy Gigmai, whose various letters to the editor which the papers seem fit to repeatedly print are let us say, interesting. A Freddy column will be put up in the corner for us to follow this man’s opinions. I believe he may have been a journalist with The National and is truly exercising his right of free speech with letters to the editor, and though I may not agree with all he says, it will be interesting to follow his thoughts.

While we are on court proceedings, Mr Kua needs to stop. He seems to have created animosity with the Bench and is outdoing himself to bring his reputation down. Yes, he may be doing his job as a professional and trying to represent his client’s best interests but his declining relationship with the Bench and this business of arguing on mere technicalities is really not making him the best candidate for President of the PNG Law Society.

Budget
Meanwhile the Govt has produced a stellar budget. I commend it. However, I remain sceptical of trust accounts and though talk of money and economic growth is all well and good, I’m restraining my praises till I see some trickle-down happening. Mr Pruaitch can go on for all he wants about the fantastic growth in this country but what does that matter if living standards in PNG have improved nought and crime and security of person, seems to be getting worse, though stats say there has been slight improvement.

Bart Philomen too shares concerns with this love of trust accounts. Though the Govt. assures us there are only 200. Here’s a really good analysis of the budget including the dilemma with trust accounts and the truth that the Govt.’s budget can only truly be judged by the success and effectiveness of its implementation.

With all that money we should be able to adequately help victims of the flooding in Oro. Are we?

Before I go any further, I must mention the huuuuge coup PNG had with the EU at the PIF. Good? Maybe, however, if we have such a strong economy why in the hell are we so aid dependent? I don’t mind aid, I hate aid dependency and I hate being a pawn between the EU and Australia, making an asset of the rife corruption and thievery in this country. I’m hoping something is shown for this large unexpected windfall.

Congratulations to the Govt for reducing public debt. NONE of this legitimises Somare’s actions in the Moti Affair though. Sir Mek seems to have found more on Somare.

Hmmm of the day
Mr William Duma. Heard many whisperings over the suss conduct of this Member of Parliament. Especially in regards to the discharge of his duties as Minister for Environment and Conservation in the last Govt. There was talk of large “scratch my back” type favours being asked of mining and petroleum type projects requesting Ministerial consent, resulting in those who can ill afford it or with the higher moral ground walking away. Now I see he has implemented this. Is it to get people with petroleum licenses to get a move on and develop projects or will it be too easy now to ask for some cushioning at the end of every year? If the latter, then this can only discourage investors.

Mr Duma is one of the many Parliamentarians that live in Pom when their electorates are outside the NCD, I don’t get how that works but apparently it does. How can you represent your electorate if you visit it several weekends a year? And a member with a “urban” electorate has even less reason, they have all the technology and other modern comforts right within their electorate. I bring this up because of the slow decline of the Hagen Open electorate in terms of law and order problems, and the lack of comment or positive actions from its member. Mr Duma, can’t forward a few thousand kina every time a problem pops up and relax in Pom, nor can those other leaders who take the mandate of the people all the way to autonomous rule! Who are MPs accountable to if not their electorate?

Immigration
About bloody time is all I can bloody say. I do not know how far these improvements have come but probably not that far as last I heard the Dpt was still out of passport books and were issuing them to the most desperate cases, ie; go buy your ticket come in with it and they’ll sort something out…and if they can’t, you’re screwed. Kudos to Mr Abal and Mr Pepson for getting things moving though.

Ombudsman Commission
What are these new laws being proposed to limit the powers of the OC?

Aids
A few hours ago, it was World Aids Day. December 1st. Take a minute to reflect on the statistic of some 50 000 infected people in PNG. Take a minute to think about the mass of foreign aid and apparent budget surpluses PNG has, and then consider the struggle to get ARVs to infected persons and the struggle to make a concerted effort to teach sex education, especially safe sex education in PNG. I remember a friend’s human biology teacher, skipping the whole reproductive process because he felt ‘everyone knew enough’ about it, in other words he was uncomfortable.

The other problem is the increased risk-taking by people who feel they have nothing to lose. The sign of desperate society.

Lastly but worth your attention, I also got this in my inbox, can anyone shed some light, ie; true/false on the situation?

PNG people should be concerned about Somare's latest moves to turn the business interests of PNG into Somare Inc.

IPBC controls all of the PNG government's interests including its 18% ownership of Oilsearch. IPBC has now been put under the supervision of Arthur Somare even though Michael Somare is the caretaker Minister for that portfolio.

Somare has now appointed Glen Blake to IPBC Board and appointed Sana Somare, his eldest son, to PNG Power Board.

Glen Blake is the Managing Director of the Somare family companies Damai Investments and SBA Constructions Ltd.

Sana Somare is the Managing Director of SBA Construction, a small contractor company in Wewak.

Sana and Glen Blake are directors on the boards of these two companies with all the other somare children.

SBA stands for Sana, Bertha and Arthur construction.

By appointing Blake and Sana to the different boards of the statutory enterprises and IPBC under control of Arthur, Somare is turning IPBC and PNG Government's business interests into "Somare Inc."

Is "political space" enough?

2007-10-26T22:52:00.000+10:00

A letter to the Minister of Defence asking him to table the Moti Report has been posted below. If anyone has his email address that would be fantastic, at the moment i've got a postal address and you can still email the national newspapers.

Now on to my rant. There is a reason PNGscape is NOT a Kumul Link (right-hand column). PNGscape exemplifies how much PNGeans are capable of talking about something without lifting a finger to do anything. Yes much of it has to do with our feeling of powerlessness but a whole lot of it, especially for the small population that enjoys a good standard living, many of those who have access to the Internet, is plain LAZINESS. No one wants to do anything.

Am i sounding bitter? Maybe so. When i first drafted the letter to the PM, i posted it on Scape and asked people to join in ...but nothing. No replies, and the replies i did get were dismissive. On principle I try to avoid the site because it displays this accepting/can't be bothered/ it's too hard/ unable to do anything/ ineffective complain complain complain/unproductive attitudes held by so many of us. Me included. Sometimes I can't be bothered. Yes, sites like Scape may be comparable to Habermas' "political space" (or civic space) and allows PNGeans to talk about issues that they may be unable to do so within the constrictions of PNG society, freely, but what good is that if no one is willing to act on it? Is it a slow process that will evolve into an active protest against corruption, misconduct and other issues with the Government and general bureaucratic and political systems of PNG? I don't know, it happened in Indonesia in what was labelled the first "Internet revolution, " so maybe it can happen in PNG

Speaking of Indonesia, if anyone has studied the paternalistic system of Governance under Indonesia's Suharto, you'll find there are growing similarities with Somare's regime (and no 'regime' does not automatically have negative-dictator connotations, however fitting that would be, it's just a sub for 'government.') Growing. And the more people shut-up about it the worse it will get. At this stage other than speaking out in every possible way we can, we must also ensure that our judicial system remain independent and impartial, PNG has been lucky and we need to increase the security of the judiciary so they can continue to act as they have been. How to do that i'm not sure about, because really the intiative needs to come from the Government and that's where we have a Catch-22 situation.

In actual news, Ila Geno the Chief Ombudsman emphasised during the week, at the National Development Forum that Government funds for the community should be used as such and that MPs need to be transparent in how they use the funds and be accountable for its use. He said MPs should make records available to the public and ensure public servants are well salaried to stop temptation. I can only hope some part of that message penetrated the minds of those present.

I am also aware that Bire Kimisopa was challenging the new member for Goroka Open in Court. Anyone have updates on that? He was a truly outstanding politician last term and if he doesn't succeed in returning I hope that the current Goroka Open MP can be just as upstanding and outspoken.

Letter to the Minister of Defence

2007-10-26T22:34:00.000+10:00

Below is a letter to Minister of Defence. I've not found an email address for him yet and if anyone could help that will be much appreciated. Till then, if you agree with the sentiments please print and send the letter to the Minister at the address below and to the national newspapers or any potentially effective forum.

Minister of Defence Mr Bob Dadae

c/o The Ministry of Defence

P.O. Parliament House

Waigani, NCD, Papua New Guinea (as at http://www.parliament.gov.pg/)

Again, I encourage sending letters either by your real identity or under pseudonym if you feel unsafe to do the former. What matters is showing the numbers in discontent. I would also encourage you to step-up efforts and get other people involved. Forward the letter (or letters so far) and address to your contact list or forward this link, whichever way you think would get more people demanding transparency and accountability from the government.

Dear Minister,

I am writing this letter as a concerned Papua New Guinean to implore you to table the Defence Force Board of Inquiry’s Moti Report in Parliament.

As the Minister of Defence, the discretion to table the Report lies with you. I believe that this discretion is to be exercised in the nation’s best interest, and as a citizen of this nation, I believe that it would be in the nation’s best interest to officially publish the Moti Inquiry’s Report directly. Such an action would promote accountability and transparency, both fundamental principles of democracy, in the Government.

It is evident from the opinions of the public expressed through letters to the national newspapers, talkback radio, Internet discussions and other forums of public discourse, that many Papua New Guineans strongly demand a thorough and conclusive investigation into the issue. This, Mr Dadae, can only succeed once you have officially tabled the Report. There is no evidence that the Report is being currently contested in Court, therefore, I believe your discretion as to the Report’s publication should be exercised without delay.

I recognise that as a Minister, you must be cautious in your handling of this issue as it directly involves the Prime Minister, who has discretion over your position within Government. However, I implore you to be a true representative of the people and to uphold the laws of this country by tabling the Moti Inquiry’s Report. To withhold the Report from publication only serves to accelerate Papua New Guineans’ growing loss of confidence in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Government.

I ask that you make the decision to table the Report with the best interests of this nation at heart and that you are not swayed by the interests of individuals. In the event that you further delay publication of the Report or refuse its publication, I request transparency and that you publicly state your reasons for doing so.

I place my faith in you and your office to make the right decision and remain hopeful that the voices of Papua New Guineans are heard and represented in Parliament.

Yours Sincerely,

Kumul Karai

OC,RH & the National, money tricks, violence against women

2007-10-18T11:29:00.000+10:00

Ok so I put the wrong address down for letters to the PM so correction it’s; pmsmedia@pm.gov.pg NOT pmsmedia@pm.gov.AU , as you may well be able to tell ‘.au’ is a prefix I drop behind a lot of my emails for work and family purposes. (Thanks Peter)

Now back to Moti. I found one of the drafted letters to the PM published in the Post, of course with their editions and nothing at the end asking the PM to adhere to the laws of this country which he himself implemented but I’m happy it was published anyway. I was also a bit surprised to find out that the Ombudsman Commission has been conducting an investigation into the Moti issue since last year (navigate to "News" tab). Yes, it begun around the same time as the Defence Force Board of Inquiry and the inquiry by the office of the Chief Secretary but is apparently still on-going though I fail to see how a small incident, time and logistics wise, could take such a long time to investigate. Maybe they’re hoping we’ll forget about it but thanks to the Post for printing this, we now know it’s still around.

I’ve drafted a letter (posted below) asking the Ombudsman Commission to basically hurry-up with their investigations. If any of you agree with this please feel free to copy and paste the letter and email or airmail it off to the Ombudsman Commission. I’m still not on to that letter for the Defence Minister requesting he table the Moti Report in parliament.

On the grapevine, notable sources have told that members of the former Somare Government entered elections with K3 million each, which was supplied from a fund initially set aside for resolving possible land-owner problems with the (now failed) proposed Australian gas pipeline project. Now I read that Patrick Pruitich is siphoning off a certain K500 million to a different trust account for future gas projects. My question is does the whole K500 million still exist? Or could this be the same money that was used for elections and is now being publicly announced (true or otherwise) as being stored away, to ward off any requests for its possible re-distribution or questions as to why it hasn’t been re-distributed yet?? Maybe I’m totally off the mark but only time will tell.

In other news I truly laughed at The National printing this crap. What they fail to inform readers is that this consulting firm is employed by RH to write these reports and has been employed by RH to do so for the last few years. Selective reporting indeed. I have no doubt RH employs PNGeans etc… but at what price are they “contributing” to this nation, and what is their NET contribution once social factors including: government and public sector manipulation, environmental damage and the fact that they “govern” certain remote areas of PNG are taken into account.

Please send a letter to the Ombudsman Commission and the papers if you agree with the drafted letter below and return to this site for a letter to the Defence Minister. We should not be prepared to let the Moti issue die, especially since it is unclear whether Somare has in fact appealed the decision of the National Court, and if not are we all expected to sit around in limbo?

Before I sign off I heartily endorse Lady Kidu’s campaign for zero tolerance on violence against women, the women of PNG who are standing up to the “norm” of violence against women in PNG, and The Post for championing this campaign! I don’t know if the petition is still doing the rounds, if it is, please sign it!

Update: I recieved a prompt reply from Mr Ila Geno, the Chief Ombudsman, which is posted below.

Letter to the Ombudsman Commission

2007-10-18T11:00:00.000+10:00

Below is a letter to the Ombudsmen Commission. If you agree with the sentiments please cut and paste and send it to the Mr Illa Geno the Chief Ombudsman at ila.geno@ombudsman.gov.pg, and John Nero the Ombudsmen at john.nero@ombudsman.gov.pg. Again, I encourage sending letters either by your real identity or under pseudonym if you feel unsafe to do the former. What matters is showing the numbers in discontent.

Dear [Mr Geno] or [Mr Nero],

I am writing this letter as a concerned Papua New Guinean to request that the Ombudsmen Commission act with urgency in completing its investigations into the Moti Affair. Further, I ask that the Ombudsman Commission take into account recommendations made by the Defence Force Tribunal’s findings in the “Moti Report,” in concluding its investigations.

I believe it is of vital importance that these investigations are completed thoroughly and directly. Delay in taking such measures has resulted in the People’s loss of confidence in the Government, the Office of the Prime Minister and in the legal processes of this country. It is the Ombudsman Commission’s duty to ensure that public offices are held in the highest honour, and I implore your Office to fulfil its obligation by taking action on this matter. It has been a year since the Moti incident and the failure of the Ombudsman Commission to release its findings on the matter is both concerning and disappointing.

I request the Ombudsman Commission fulfil its duties under Section 218 of the Constitution, which requires supervision of the Leadership Code and the duty to ensure that all governmental bodies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the People. Corruption such as that alleged in the Moti incident not only relates to possible abuses of public office, including the office of the Prime Minister, but exemplifies the wide-spread abuse of power in decision-making processes, throughout governmental bodies and agents, which results in neglect of the People’s needs and aspirations. I implore the Ombudsman Commission to address such practises by concluding its investigations into the Moti Affair and releasing a Report, which I hope is both diligent and precise in its findings and recommendations.

I thank you for your time and place my faith in the Ombudsman Commission to fulfil its Constitutional duties.

Yours Sincerely,
[Your name/pseudonym]

Update: I recieved a prompt reply from Mr Ila Geno, the Chief Ombudsman, which reads as follows:

Kumul karai,
Congratulations for expressing your concerns which I understand and appreciate and could not agree with you more in clearly stating the importance of institutions such as the Ombudsman Commission which must be seen to be performing its duties diligently and timely. I want to assure you that Ombudsman Commission is continuing with the investigations as stated in the print media lately and will independently take its position after satisfactory completion of investigations.
Regards.
I.Geno.

I thank Mr geno for his reply, however, I still believe urgency is required on this matter and continue to encourage those in agreement with this blog to express their sentiments to the OC and to the national newspapers.

Letter to the Prime Minister

2007-10-05T02:15:00.000+10:00

I’ve been busy. See how easy it is to 'forget' an issue.

I started this blog because I was incensed with the whole system of corruption in PNG which was topped with that big red cherry that is the Moti affair. But after reading the papers today I haaaad to post something to get my sheer frustration out.

Here is what went down today: http://www.thenational.com.pg/100407/nationpage.htm

It’s not just about whether the PM committed a crime or not (how will we know when he keeps stalling the thing from getting to the DPP, where if he is innocent he will be found to be so), it’s about ethics as Professor John Nonggorr reminded everyone last week. It’s also about maintaining the nation’s confidence in the government and in the office of the Prime Minister (which need I add is addressed in the Leadership Code contained in the Constitution). This it seems is either beyond Somare’s understanding, below his understanding or amazingly non-existent to his understanding.

And now he proposes that the media should be further regulated? For what, publishing materials that disadvantage him?? This isn’t his private company, it’s a nation-state that is apparently democratic and, therefore, has a sovereign people. SOVEREIGN PEOPLE. In the event that this legislation does go through I hope it's challenged in the Courts under s39 of the Constitution as “REASONABLY [UN]JUSTIFIABLE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY."

Here’s a letter I drummed up and sent to the PM’s office, but off course bounced back because the email address does not exist anymore, so i've forwarded it to his media department and am airmailing it too. I do respect Somare’s achievements for this country but I am finding it harder to respect him as a person as more and more of his actions illustrate his disregard of proper procedure and ethical practise.

You too can send this letter (copy & paste) to the PM via pmsmedia@pm.gov.pg. Or send it in to the national newspapers. I've done it and maybe they'll print it but so should you just as a show of discontent...that is if you too are of the opinion that the PM should step down. If you don’t want to be so direct, change the last sentence in the last paragraph to the alternative in blue. ( A letter to the Defence Minister to encourage publication of the Report is next, if you've already written such a letter send it to kumul karai and we'll post it up.)

*We all know PNG is a small place so I would encourage people to send in letters under pseudonyms if they feel its safer because I do appreciate the dangers with speaking out. Even with pseudonyms we can at least illustrate the sheer numbers in discontent.PNGeans don't have many avenues open for protest that are safe and we shouldn't be prepared to wait every 5 years, so let's do what we can now.

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

I am writing this letter with recognition and respect for you as the first Prime Minister of this country, who so strongly campaigned for a free and independent Papua New Guinea. When you campaigned for Independence and envisioned a future for this nation, I am in no doubt you saw a strong democratic state where the people remained sovereign and were afforded adequate living standards and fundamental human rights.

As the years have proceeded and having just celebrated our 32nd Independence, it seems that the dreams you and all Papua New Guineans may have had for a successful nation, have not been entirely fulfilled. As a Papua New Guinean I am proud that PNG has reached 32 years of independence, however, I fail to remain proud of the condition of this nation after 32 years of independence. It seems we have taken big strides forward to take a multitude of small, quick steps back, progressively chipping away at the progress we have made as a united nation.

There is much to be desired in terms of the fulfilment of the basic human rights in this nation, including the provision of an adequate standard of living, food, shelter, education and healthcare for our people. Elements of this are illustrated in our nation’s incapacity to adequately address the HIV epidemic that has seized us. However, the problem I wish most to address in this letter to you is the diminishing respect for Papua New Guinea’s judicial and legal system that has progressed over the years. There are countless instances of the flagrant disrespect many Papua New Guineans have for the laws of this country, which has developed over the years to what can only be described as a systemic perpetuation of corruption.

Corruption is not only about stealing but relates to the abuse of power in decision-making processes. It is a form of behaviour that deviates from ethics, morality, tradition, law and civic virtue. Indeed corruption is rife in PNG. It pervades almost every level of society in PNG and it has developed from the top down. Corruption in this country has been able to spread so quickly and take such a stronghold because those at the top, including successive governments and politicians of this country, have directly or tacitly encouraged it, or have taken inadequate steps to address it. It is corruption that has led to the inadequate standards of living in this country, to the inadequate response to HIV/Aids, to the ignorance of fundamental human rights, to the effective demotion of PNG by the UN from a ‘developing’ nation to a ‘least-developed’ one, and in order for corruption to be halted, the change must come from the top.

Mr Prime Minister, the first step to ensuring that corruption is addressed in PNG is to reaffirm the people’s confidence in the Government and in the public offices of the nation. This requires all public office holders to adhere to the Leadership Code contained in our Constitution, which you were a part of establishing at Independence. The Leadership Code contained within the Constitution is very clear on what is expected from public office holders and espouses the need for maintenance of public confidence in these offices. Where the Leadership Code has been breached the offenders must retire from office and be dealt with by the appropriate authorities.

The Ombudsmen Commission is charged with the duty to ensure compliance with the Leadership Code, however, in the event that it fails to discharge its duty, I believe the onus should be on the alleged offender to comply with general principles of ethics and withdraw from office, until such time as proper investigations are conducted to clear them of the alleged breach(es). Alternatively, if there is widespread public outcry or loss of confidence in public offices due to a general opinion that breaches of the Leadership Code occurred, the office-holders in question must respect the sovereignty of the people in a democratic system and step-down.

Mr Prime Minister as the head of the nation I implore you to ensure that these ethical and democratic practises are adopted by the government to tackle the web of corruption that is suffocating our nation of Papua New Guinea. I have faith that you and your Government maintain the same dream you had at Independence; for a nation in possession of a thriving, transparent, accountable and effective democratic system. A system where adequate living standards are afforded and basic human rights are met and in maintaining this vision I ask you, Mr Prime Minister, as my representative in parliament to [step-down until such time as the Moti Affair has been sufficiently resolved by proper procedures] or[use your powers to the best of your ability to ensure ethical and democratic behaviour of all public office holders].

May God be with you and with our nation of Papua New Guinea.

Yours sincerely,

Kumul Karai

2007-09-16T22:35:00.000+10:00

HAPPY 32nd INDEPENDENCE PEOPLE...MAKE IT COUNT!

Application for judicial review rejected

2007-09-16T22:08:00.000+10:00

So I’ve been a little slow with the updating but as you all know by now, Somare’s attempt to have a judicial review of the DF Tribunal has been thrown out by the National Court. Heck, apparently Somare was not even a legitimate party in the proceedings. This means the Court has found that there is no reason to proceed as on the basis of the information available…(did Justice Sakora eventually get a copy of the Moti Report?)… no grounds for judicial review have been established. Let’s state that again: there is insufficient evidence that the Tribunal and its members were biased.

Where does that leave the whole Moti issue?

Well it means the report as a result of a procedurally proper and unbiased Tribunal must be tabled in parliament unless the Minister of Defence finds that it is not in the best interest of the public to do so. Right now I cannot think of a reason why it would be in PNG’s best interest to withhold the report, further, I can not think how effective it would be to block a report that is already publicly available. What I do think is important, in the public’s best interest and effective is for the Minister of Defence, in following the laws of PNG, to table the report whilst symbolically illustrating that no one is above the law, not even the Prime Minister of PNG.

What the Court decision also means for Somare is that the DPP and the Ombudsmen Commission must now take up the recommendations of the Tribunal as per s28(2) of the Constitution and investigate Somare for breaches of the Criminal Code and the leadership code contained in the Constitution. Recommendations against other named persons must also be taken up.

However, already the Defence Minister has indicated that he has no plans to table the Moti report because, “that report is very controversial and I do not want to do any thing with it.” In typical PNG style when something gets too difficult, too challenging, too long-winded, possibly dangerous for one’s self-interest we drop the damn thing and no one exemplifies this trait better than our pollies- even when it means contravening the laws of this country.

If the Minister of Defence does not act and the DPP and Ombudsmen Commission ignore the matter then this could end up just another forgotten issue of corruption. We cannot afford this. We must rally for the tabling of the Moti Report and for investigations into Somare and others during which time Somare should be suspended from office as per s142(6)(a) of the Constitution.

I am awaiting Monday’s news reports to tell us what the appropriate authorities are planning to do from here and what civil society in PNG will/can/should do from there.

Before I end I must thank God that PNG's judicial system is still strong, independent and just. There is hope yet. It's when the judiciary goes that we're pretty much f&*^$d.

Keep it alive and make it right

2007-09-12T17:47:00.000+10:00

K700 million missing from the Treasury and no one says anything really. (I'll be glad for more info on this if anyone is in the know)
The Sandline Inquiry is floating about (PNGscape News Board) but who really cares anyway...i mean Chan had a convincing win.

Again the same old same old with PNG and corruption. "We ignore it/accept is as part of PNG and life (bulk of the population)/blame anyone but the people responsible, preferably the Aussies- not just for their part of it but for the entirety of the problem/get in amongst it/talk, talk and talk about it some more- well hey look who’s talking (I try)/ try to fight it but fail (cast your mind to UPNG student demonstrations 2001)/ try and keep on trying and trying (NGOs)…what a choice eh."

Independence is around the corner and I think it is about time that PNG and PNGeans made a commitment to themselves and to their country to care even when it seems hopeless, even when it seems that there is really no point. To send a message out there to all those at the top that someone out there is watching them and WILL hold them accountable for their actions even if holding them accountable amounts to very little.

The most effective way to change the whole culture of corruption in PNG is to work from the top down. Ideology is a solution that can only be successful if once the incubated are out in the real world, their society emphasis and maintains the values they have been instilled with. I can only hope that no one will let the Moti issue die until a final and just resolution is reached. Let's make this the symbolic case that indicates a change in the tide for PNG and its attitude towards corruption. Keep it alive and make it right.

It's 31 years since Papua New Guinea got independence.
Up until today, nothing much has been achieved. I still eat kaukau and drink cold water from the bamboo.
I walked many miles to catch the next donkey to get into town. While in town, intimidated by street boys and robbed of my only K5 meant for a packet of rice and a can of fish.
On my way back home, gun wielding criminals threatened and robbed me of my only clothes.
At home my wife is in labour.
No nearby aid post, we had to transport her on a stretcher miles into the nearby clinic.
Upon arrival told that the medicines were run out or I have to pay a fee up front first. While waiting she dies.
The story goes on. Good leaders of this great nation — When will I see electricity into my kunai house? When will I see a road into my village? When will tribal fighting stop in my village?
It's 30 years since independence and I haven't seen any real development taken place yet.
What I read every day in the news- papers are the stories of corrupt politicians misusing public funds, travelled overseas on regular basis, passed parliament bills to suit their own interests, appoint their own political wantoks to head government offices, deals under the table for exploiting of our resources by foreign companies, etc.
Leaders, whose country are you destroying and whose interests are you serving?
You must know in you heart that you are representing the interests of the country, not yours.
Always do what is right to protect the interests of the country and its people.
If it means to sacrifice your own life, please go to the extreme. You can go to another country for medical treatment if you are sick.
But when you die, your body will never leave the shores of Papua New Guinea to be buried in another country. You can change your face by plastic surgery. You can change your skin colour. You can change your appearance.
You can do anything to your body as long as you don't want to be called a Papua New Guinean or recognised as one. But remember, blood is thicker than water.
Deep in your heart you will still know that you are a Papua New Guinean by birth. Leaders of this beloved country of Papua New Guinea, I'll die rather than live to see you destroy our beautiful country.

– Lucas Kiap
UNITECH, Lae

On the side: And again the Post is caught out with its unsubstantiated reports. As I thought. It seriously needs to lift its game, PNGeans are again driven into a tight corner, here where they have no choice but to 'support' The National while its owners plunder our forests in the background.

The Moti Affair

2007-09-05T15:16:00.000+10:00

Read my first post and you will understand why this issue in nowhere near done nor should it be considered so.

I don’t wish to address why Moti was being pursued by Australia 6 whole years after the dismissal of his case in Vanuatu (though a ‘new’ application has been pending in the Vanuatuan Supreme Court since 1999), nor the claims of a witch-hunt, nor whether a re-trial of Moti under the Australian judicial system could amount to double jeopardy.

What I wish to address is Papua New Guinea’s role in all this, in particular Somare’s role in the Moti affair and why his actions were at the least, so very very unnecessary. I will attempt not to enter into speculation (a paragraph with forewarning) on whether or not Somare sanctioned Moti’s escape aboard a PNGDF aircraft but I will analyse the illegality of his actions surrounding the aftermath of the Moti escape.

Contrary to some claims floating about on the net and to Somare’s own statement on the 15th of November 2006, Moti was arrested under PNG’s 2005 Extradition Act (“The Act”) not the 1975 one. The Act was implemented as a direct result of PNG’s membership of the Pacific Islands Forum and its signatory status to the Pacific Island Forum Commitment to Fight Transnational Crime, Money Laundering, Human and Drug Smuggling. The Act stipulates that extradition of nationals of Forum countries (Pacific Islands Forum) is to be processed under a different manner to that of nationals of non-Forum countries. The most significant difference between these processes being that the former is a purely judicial process while the latter allows for political involvement.

Moti as a national of a Forum country (Australia) was arrested on a provisional warrant as per section 10 (s.10) of The Act. Under s.10 an application for a provisional warrant is made on behalf of a Pacific Forum country and the Magistrate is told in an affidavit that the original warrant is in the Forum country and that the person named (who is in PNG or about to enter PNG) is the same as that named in the original warrant; and the Magistrate believes that it is reasonable to issue a warrant then they must issue the warrant. (Here I’m ignoring Somare’s ill-made claims that the same Magistrate cannot issue a warrant and hear the case- remember they’re assumed to be objective 3rd parties).

Now understandably there is confusion as to how Moti was arrested so here is a timeline on agreed facts to clear things up and again I’m only interested in PNG’s role in all this:

2006

· August: Australia puts a request out to Interpol for the arrest of Moti
· Interpol proceeds to send out a red alert to all its member countries for the apprehension and detention of Moti, including to the Pacific Transnational Crime Coordination Centre (PTCCC) in Fiji of which PNG is a member.
· September 28th: PNG Police receive the red alert from the PTCCC and also receive a request from Australia for a provisional warrant of arrest to be issued on their behalf by PNG officials for Moti’s arrest.
· September 29th: The Transnational Crime Unit of the PNG Police Force arrest Moti at Jacksons Airport at 5:30am on the info they’ve received from the PTCCC and the Australian request. There is no warrant for the arrest. It is unclear whether the arrest was made under s.3 of the Arrest Act 1977, which allows for arrests without a warrant.
· September 29th: According to Somare’s statement on 15th November 2006 a warrant of arrest is issued by the Waigani Committal Courts at 9:30am. What exactly the warrant of arrest was for (what crime) is unclear. Somare also mentions that an application for a warrant under the 1975 Extradition Act was made. Whether the warrant issued at 9:30am was under the old extradition act or whether Somare was referring to the provisional warrant issued the next day is also unclear. (Anyone who knows for sure the details of this apparent warrant please inform me)
· September 29th: Moti is released on bail
· September 30th: The Public Prosecutor obtains a provisional warrant of arrest under s.10 of the 2005 Extradition Act. Moti has failed to appear at the Waigani Committal Court, the Court then revokes bail and sets the date for proceedings a surrender warrant (ss.15-21 of The Act) on Monday the 2nd of October.
Moti never fronts, instead Moti has fled to the Solomons Embassy whereupon he was airlifted to the safety of the Solomons aboard a PNGDF aircraft.

Now so far the only place PNG may have gone wrong is with the arrest of Moti at Jacksons Airport. It’s unclear under what acts/laws he was arrested, however, if there was illegality here Moti could’ve easily contested the matter in Court …but he didn’t stick around did he.

Where PNG really goes wrong is with that wretched PNGDF flight out of PNG.

The thing is, it was all so very unnecessary. Prominent sources (yes, I have them) have suggested that Moti would’ve succeeded if he had been tried in PNG because at the time there was considerable ambiguity surrounding the 2005 Extradition Act and the implementation of its protocols. Jurisdictional issues would’ve been argued, including dual criminality and double jeopardy (if proven, both expressly prohibit extradition under the The Act). Moti as a QC would’ve known his chances were pretty good, hell he could’ve represented himself and flown Air Niugini to the Solomons, instead he escaped kanaka style because prominent Pacific Islanders are apparently above the law.

Here’s where I speculate a little…

If some of you out there still doubt whether the airlift was a PNG Government initiative then I advise you to crawl out of the rock you are under and join the real world. I appreciate the matter is before the Courts but everyone knows the orders had to have come from somewhere around the top, and let’s face it, with Somare’s hawk-like hold on PNG nothing of that extent would have occurred without at the least his knowledge and just a little above that his consent- express or otherwise; and as has been concluded by the Moti Inquiry all the evidence points at Somare’s express consent. Somare by sanctioning a PNGDF aircraft made his little dalliance with Moti an official executive action of the Government of Papua New Guinea.

End of speculation…

But let’s uphold the Constitution of PNG and state that Somare is innocent until proven guilty by a Court of law. However, this does not belittle the Defence Force Board of Inquiry in any way, as the conduction of an Inquiry into office-holders of the State is itself contained in s.28(1)(g) of the PNG Constitution. In fact s.28(2) of the Constitution states that where an independent tribunal has made recommendations, the appropriate authority shall act in accordance with the recommendation. In this case, the recommendations of the Moti Inquiry should be taken up by the authorities named; including the Ombudsmen Commission and the Department of Public Prosecutions who the Inquiry recommends investigate what it believes are violations of the leadership code (s.28 of the Constitution) and various criminal conduct (perverting the course of justice, conspiring to defeat justice…) executed by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare.

Now, it’s about here where things get a little heated, because apparently the Grand Chief is truly the Grand Chief of PNG so he can pretty much do whatever he wants. You’ll notice in a statement released by Somare on the 15th of November 2006 he was quick to point out the alleged illegality of Moti’s arrest and attempts to protect Moti’s rights under PNG’s Constitution, when the issue at hand was Moti’s escape NOT his arrest (attempting to distract much?). Yet, Somare himself has no qualms with ignoring and plain violating the Constitution and laws of PNG when he feels the need.

Setting aside the fact that Somare may have ordered the Moti escape, let’s look at his various other indiscretions including his violation of all forms of law:

1. Stating that PNG would let Moti walk prior to any Court hearing when the 2005 Extradition Act clearly states that extradition of Forum nationals is a purely judicial process, this could be seen as unconstitutional as it illustrates executive interference in judicial powers (separation of powers).
2. Arbitrarily sacking the Defence Minister (Ani) for apparently failing to request an extension of time for the Defence Board of Inquiry. Under s.3 of the Defence (Boards of Inquiry) Regulation 1978, the convening of a General Board of Inquiry (such as the Moti Inquiry) is done by the Minister of Defence and decisions pertaining to extension of the Inquiry’s duration is also up to the Minister as per s.2(3). Mr Ani did not need the PM’s express approval to extend the duration of the tribunal and as such the PM had no valid reason to sack Mr Ani and by doing so (for the reasons stated), Somare is probably in breach of the leadership code of conduct contained in the Constitution, particularly of s.27(1) of the Constitution which includes at part (c ): allow(ing) his public or official integrity, or his personal integrity, to be called into question.
3. In sacking Mr Ani the PM was also in breach of s.144 of the Constitution which requires that for a Minister to be dismissed: a motion of no confidence is to be passed against the Minister and that either the Head of State sack him on the PM’s advice or that he is sacked for a violation of the leadership code. This procedure was not followed.
4. Somare assumed the powers of the Ministry of Defence and made executive decisions about the Defence Force Board of Inquiry when clearly there is a conflict of interest (he is under investigation); this is a breach of s.27(1)(a) of the Constitution which states that the PM may not: place himself in a position in which he has or could have a conflict of interests or might be compromised when discharging his public or official duties.
5. Failing to make the Moti Inquiry public and threatening contempt of court for its publication. Under s.17 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1951 an Inquiry report must be tabled in parliament unless it is deemed to be in the public’s best interest to withhold publication. As there is no equivalent of s.17 in the Defence Force (Board of Inquiries) Regulation, we must assume that something of a similar nature is applicable as s.51 of the Defence Act 1974 refers to Regulation of Defence Force Boards of Inquiries incorporating the provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act. In this light, I fail to see how an action that would not be in Somare’s best interest equates to not being in the public’s best interest too. Yes he may be the Grand Chief but we also have a democracy in this country. The law is clear here and Somare has violated it by stalling the Moti Report’s publication- even before his Court case was pending. Again Somare is in breach of the leadership code.

6. Bringing an action against members of the Defence Board of Inquiry. Somare has clearly on some legal advice on the finer points of law (thanks Mr Kua) weaselled his way around to bring an action against the Tribunal who under the proper process of the law would have been protected.
S.18 of the Defence Force (Board of Inquiry) Regulation states:

where the Minister consents to the publication of a report of a Board, no action or proceeding in respect of the publishing of that report may be brought against–
(a) the State or its agents or servants; or
(b) a Minister; or
(c) a member of the Board.

Somare deliberately fired Mr Ani so he, with the powers of the Minister of Defence, could sit on the Inquiry’s Report, halt it from publication (illegally) and then bring an action against the Members of the Board. What a laugh…or real cleverness…or plain treachery, whichever way you look at it. What happened to judicial immunity and/or its equivalent?

Let me break it down real slow…

Somare sacked the Minister of Defence because he did not want the appropriate authorities, including the Ombudsmen Commission to follow the Inquiry’s recommendations as required by law, which could see him suspended while the investigations were pending (s.142(6)(a) of the Constitution) and at worst dismissed from his office if found guilty at trial. Now why would the Grand Chief let go of such a Grand Title?

In order to get his way Somare knew he had to stop the Inquiry’s Report from getting out. How does one do that? By halting publication of the Report and on that technicality bringing a case against the members of the Inquiry.

Apparently the Inquiry was biased. Well why didn’t Somare and his lawyer bring that up during the Inquiry? Instead Somare waited until the evidence implicated him before he took the law into his own hands to protect his own backside.

If the proper legal procedures were followed the Minister of Defence would’ve been Mr Ani and the Inquiry’s report would’ve been published. The members of the Board of Inquiry would’ve been protected from court action and the appropriate authorities would’ve taken up the recommendations of the Inquiry. The Ombudsmen Commission and the DPP would’ve investigated Somare and he would’ve then had the chance to dismiss the evidentiary value of the Inquiry Report on the same grounds he is brandishing about in Court now. In that scenario, if Somare succeeded the Inquiry Report would’ve been thrown out and the case proceed on other evidence or if there was insufficient evidence, the case dismissed. You see there was always legal redress available for Somare the proper way; he just didn’t fancy the proper way.

Somare has preferred the short cut route because it keeps him in power for just that little while longer (god forbid a suspension) and of course he may have apprehended the possibility of the Ombudsmen Commission and the DPP finding him guilty of misconduct and violations of the Criminal Code. And his actions show that apparently he could not possibly risk that. The actions of a guilty man? We may never know, because this man has duped and continues to dupe PNG.

Regardless of the Board of Inquiry Report recommendations the Ombudsmen Commission is still able to investigate Somare for breaches of the leadership code pertaining to his dismissal of the Defence Minister (Ani) and his assumption of the Defence Powers regarding the Board of Inquiry. I would encourage the Ombudsmen Commission to do so and for PNG’s general public to encourage the Ombudsmen Commission to do so too. No one is above the law no matter what niceties you put in front of your name.

For a similar style article regarding the breach of Solomon Islands laws in the whole Moti Affair check this out (Dated Friday May 25th): http://biukili.blogspot.com/

And just for lolz…but seriously:

s.142 of the Constitution:
5) The Prime Minister–
(a)… (b)…
(c) may be removed from office by the Head of State, acting in accordance with a decision of the Parliament, if the Speaker advises the Parliament that two medical practitioners appointed by the National Authority responsible for the registration or licensing of medical practitioners have jointly reported in accordance with an Act of the Parliament that, in their professional opinions, the Prime Minister is unfit, by reason of physical or mental incapacity, to carry out the duties of his office.

UPDATE: I see Somare is trying to hide the Moti Report from the National Court too. How can you contest something you won’t let the Court see??? Come on Mr Kua, you should know better than that. http://www.thenational.com.pg/090507/nation2.htm

It's not done till it's done

2007-08-27T21:27:00.000+10:00

So I was going to start of this blog with a huge write-up on Moti. Yes, yes I know apparently it is a ‘done’ issue but how can something be ‘done’ when nothing has been resolved. Since I’m waiting to clarify on some matters concerning it and after I read this article from the Post I thought, what better way to start of this blog then to talk about the most pressing issue in PNG today which is not Moti, or Australia’s ‘interventionist’ Government, or Digicel, or Arthur, Bertha and Michael Somare but rather HIV/Aids.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070827/mohome.htm
Yes, I too sometimes forget we have an epidemic in PNG, you know with all the election hoopla going on and me, you and everyone else’s concerns about Digicel and its license. But it’s there, it’s more than a problem and I really can’t say the Government of PNG is doing enough about it.

Now I’m not sure how accurate this article is- the Post is not always the most credible source of info- but it seems statistics of people dying of Aids is not enough to make news anymore, it’s old, it’s ‘done’ instead what makes news are desperate unimaginable stories like this. HIV/Aids (in all its capacities) is occurring in PNG on such a wide-scale that it has become accepted as just another facet of PNG life, moved to the side and ignored. Just like corruption. Yes they’re comparable because they truly represent not only the mind-set of PNGeans but the hopelessness of it all. The ‘done’ (though half-way and not even) nature of PNG and PNGeans.

Let’s brainstorm these issues.

Corruption: Illegal, a problem, rife, accepted, acceptable, the norm, unprotested, ignored, side-tracked, not front story news, no solution indicated, systematic, protected, inaction, high NGO scrutiny (pretty much always indicates that there is a huuuge problem).
HIV/Aids: epidemic, accepted though not acceptable, rife, unprotested, ignored, side-tracked, not front story news, lack of commitment, inaction, high NGO participation, systematic.

Similar much????

Corruption is rife, nothing much is done about it, PNGeans do not feel empowered to do anything about so instead they ignore it/accept is as part of PNG and life (bulk of the population)/blame anyone but the people responsible, preferably the Aussies- not just for their part of it but for the entirety of the problem/get in amongst it/talk, talk and talk about it some more- well hey look who’s talking (I try)/ try to fight it but fail (cast your mind to UPNG student demonstrations 2001)/ try and keep on trying and trying (NGOs)…what a choice eh. This my friends demonstrates PNG and PNGeans in just about every situation of difficulty on a national scale. And this can be applied to the HIV/Aids situation in PNG.

Is it our fault, society’s fault or the Government’s fault that we find ourselves in this position? Who/what disempowered us, and if they/it could do that can they/it also empower us? Are empowerment and disempowerment an external force or can we as a people empower and disempower ourselves? And if we can empower ourselves how do we go about it, how do we get PNGeans to unite and have a clear coherent voice, to say what we want and mean it, to end desperation or learn to deal with desperation so we can look beyond the K2 today for the schools, hospitals and effective governance of the future.

It’s difficult and I have no magic solution though I do have one idea. Ideology. To preach it, teach it, embed it in children’s minds, basically to brain-wash them. Teach children all through their schooling years to have national pride, care for the nation, do what is best for the nation, to have a social conscience. Have them rhyme it, sing it, repeat it, turn into a motto, a subject, an important part of their learning and you will turn out committed citizens. Take Indonesia and the pancasila- unity, unity, unity- because unity was important to them as an ‘invented’ nation. Cuba and socialism. USA and rights. Is there a bad side? Of course, if you teach it in an intolerant manner but there is also the good. Indonesia is still a united nation, Cuba has one the best health-care systems in the world and a 97% literacy rate and Americans will do anything to protect their rights.

This isn’t such a new proposal for PNG, right before and after independence there was a lot of national pride, a want to benefit the nation, a sense of opportunity, hope, a love of this country that went beyond the current ‘ples ya’ which implies that whilst there is so much wrong with PNG we love it because it’s home. This shouldn’t be the case, we should love it because of all that is right, not for purely sentimental reasons but because it is a land of opportunity because it is the land of the ‘free and the brave,’ because we built this nation and we are proud of what it is and because we follow through with everything. Because nothing is ever done until it’s done. Because we have an accountable and transparent government. Because we are not downtrodden desperate people but a proud forward-looking nation. That should be why and if this feeling isn’t going to come around naturally then we create it, we teach it and we preach it. We embed it in the minds of the next generation and along the way we come to believe it ourselves. It could happen.

On a side-note: All hail Powes Parkop for getting in there and showing people how it should be done. This my friends, is what a politician in a democratic system is about, just in case anyone needed clarification on that point.