Keith Jackson & Friends: PNG ATTITUDE

Exams defer national strike until Thursday 25 October

KEITH JACKSON

Gov Gary Juffa, Gov Allan Bird and Bryan Kramer - Planning a nationwide boycott for Thursday 25 October

PORT MORESBY – Opposition members of parliament have deferred  a nationwide strike in Papua New Guinea until Thursday of next week because the protest would have clashed with this week's Grade 12 examinations.

The boycott is to protest against the O'Neill government “colluding with overseas opportunists to steal from our people”.

At a meeting last night, the organisers decided to avoid the strike conflicting with the major national exam, which is sat by 28,000 students.

In the wake of the continuing ‘Maserati scandal’, Oro governor Gary Juffa, East Sepik governor Allan Bird and Madang MP Bryan Kramer together with former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta, now an MP, issued a call to people to join in the strike by staying home in a show of a nonviolent defiance.

Their call resonated even louder today when The Australian newspaper revealed that three new Bentley Flying Spur limousines worth a total of over $960,000 (K2.5 million) had been added to the APEC luxury vehicle fleet. The newspaper had obtained an invoice for the Bentleys made out to PNG's APEC CEO Chris Hawkins.

Pauline Hanson, dysfunctionality & the politics of profligacy

Dr Albert Schram, pictured here on his Sunday hike in Italy, knows a Maserati when he sees one.

PHIL FITZPATRICK

TUMBY BAY - In her simplistic way, the extreme right wing politician Pauline Hanson says that if Papua New Guinea can afford forty luxury Maserati vehicles it doesn’t need Australian aid.

It is the same sort of logic that many people use when arguing for a cut to welfare payments. The argument goes that if they just spend the money on cigarettes, booze and poker machines and refuse to get a job they don’t deserve to get it.

We all know that most people forced onto welfare struggle to make ends meet and carefully manage their money.

It is just the irresponsible minority that gives them a bad name and forces more and more strictures on everyone.

The Papua New Guinea government has now further and decisively demonstrated that it is a similar irresponsible minority.

The Maserati purchase is now a fecund symbol of the unbridled extravagance and irresponsibility of the O’Neill government.

PNGi takes Ockham's razor to APEC Maserati furore

STAFF REPORTER | The Tokaut Blog

PORT MORESBY - A storm of public criticism and protest has erupted after the publication of photographs showing the delivery of 40 Maserati luxury supercars to the O’Neill government.

The white-jacked Maserati Quattroporte cars were shown being off-loaded from two chartered Boeing 747 aircraft at Port Moresby’s Jackson’s airport.

The luxury cars have been brought to Port Moresby to chauffeur world leaders and other VIP guests around the capital for three days during next months Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

The public furore has put the PNG government onto the back-foot as locals fume at the highly visible excess in a country where basic health, education and transport infrastructure and services are in a deplorable condition and public health outcomes are among the worst in the world.

The PNG government has made a number of claims to try and justify their apparent extravagance and to deflect criticism. Unfortunately those claims do not stack up to any serious scrutiny.

Let’s start with APEC Minister, Justin Tkatchenko’s first press statement on the affair.

It doesn’t start well. It is dated 10 November 2018. Clearly a mistake. Perhaps someone was in a hurry or it had to be released ahead of schedule?

Was Silver Fox's crude attempt to censor citizen on APEC's behalf?

David ('Silver Fox') Johnson's communications to Emmanuel Narakobi - was Johnson acting with the authority of APEC or as a freelancer?

BRYAN KRAMER MP

PORT MORESBY – Last Wednesday, respected young entrepreneur Emmanuel Narakobi shared on Facebook an article showing the arrival of the controversial million kina Italian luxury cars at Jacksons International Airport.

He shared a post by airline company, Ajot, that flew the cars to Port Moresby. Minutes after posting the article he was in-boxed by a person with a Facebook account called ‘Silver Fox’ providing his number and insisting Emmanuel call him immediately.

The message read - “You must immediately take down posts of Maserati … APEC security act will be inacted [sic]”.

The person then messaged Emmanuel on SMS - “Need you to immediately take down FB posts concerning recent airport photos ... It is a security risk under APEC joint task force ... Please call me, David Johnson”.

Question & questions for Bougainville independence referendum

John Momis and Peter O'Neill sign the joint statement (Joseph Nobetau)

KEITH JACKSON

PORT MORESBY – At a meeting here on Friday, Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’Neill and Bougainville president John Momis agreed the important question to be put to Bougainville voters at next June’s referendum on the autonomous province’s political future.

The question gives the voters a choice of opting for greater autonomy or independence, the precise wording being, “Do you agree for Bougainville to have (1) Greater Autonomy or (2) Independence”.

The question itself raises other questions. Why has it been framed in the way it has? What is 'greater autonomy'? Is the offer of 'greater autonomy' as the alternative to 'independence' a successful demand by Momis or a clever distraction by O'Neill?

I'm sure these matters will soon be addressed by people smarter and better informed than I.

The agreement came late on Friday after weeks of delays at a meeting of a joint supervisory board attended by the chairman of the Bougainville Referendum Commission, former Irish prime minister, Bertie Ahearn.

Bertie Ahern has personal experience of travails of civil war

Peter O'Neill and Bertie Ahern (The National)

GARRY ROCHE

DUBLIN - One of the reasons former Ireland prime minister (Taoiseach), Bertie Ahern was chosen to head the Bougainville Referendum Commission is that he has been involved with successful conflict resolution processes in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Ukraine and with the Basque people of Spain.

Ahern’s parents and grandparents themselves experienced the trauma of revolution and civil war.

His father, Cornelius (Con) Ahern, was involved with the IRA (Irish Republican Army) way back in the 1920’s in the Irish war of independence against the English.

Ireland did gain independence from Great Britain but immediately civil war broke out between the IRA members who accepted the proposed treaty with Britain and those IRA members who opposed it.

Con Ahern, who opposed the treaty, was on the losing side of the civil war, and as a result was imprisoned in the ‘Tintown’ prison camp in Curragh, County Kildare, for some of that time being on a hunger strike.

Citizens react in anger as govt tries to explain Maserati purchase

2018 Maserati Quattroporte S GranLusso Sedan

HELEN DAVIDSON | The Guardian | Extracts

SYDNEY - Papua New Guineans have reacted with anger at its government importing a fleet of Maseratis to drive international delegates around the APEC conference next month, amid a health and poverty crisis, struggling economy, and ongoing efforts after a devastating earthquake.

The PNG government has defended its decision, expressing confidence that all 40 luxury cars will be bought by the “private sector” after the two-day event, leaving the government with no financial burden.

The cars, which cost between $200,000 and $350,000 each in Australia, were flown in from Milan on two Boeing 747-8F charter planes this week, with the costs covered by “the private sector”, according to the minister for APEC, Justin Tkatchenko.

“Maserati Quattroporte sedans have been secured and delivered, and are being committed to be paid for by the private sector,” he said.

Oz foreign minister to PNG to check how things are going

Foreign minister Payne -  issues of corruption, refugees & Maseratis off the agenda

KEITH JACKSON

CANBERRA – Australia’s foreign minister Marise Payne will fly to Port Moresby today for a two-day visit.

Her visit is stated “to engage with Papua New Guinean leaders and to advance Australia's strategic and economic partnership with our closest neighbour.”

“Our bilateral relationship is broad and deep, with strong people-to-people links built on shared history and values,” Senator Payne said.

“In my meetings with PNG ministers, I will discuss Australia's support for PNG's hosting of the upcoming APEC meeting and explore opportunities to promote our shared regional and global priorities.

“I will officially open PNG's new satellite internet system, a critical investment by Australia which will increase capacity by approximately 30%. Together with the new Coral Sea Cable, Australia is supporting the digital transformation of PNG's economy,” she said.

New independent corruption commission has no independence

EDDIE TANAGO | Act Now!

PORT MORESBY - The Papua New Guinea government’s announcement of a so-called Interim Independent Commission Against Corruption is an insult to the nation and an abuse of the ICAC name.

An ICAC must be independent from government and free from any political interference, but what the prime minister has announced fundamentally fails both tests.

Peter O’Neill and his government have been pledging to establish an ICAC since 2012, yet all that has been announced is a politically-driven body set up to investigate political opponents.

The ‘interim ICAC’ is being directed on what it can investigate by the National Executive Council [Cabinet] and is housed in the Department of the prime minister.

It is not even clear whether there is any legal basis for an ‘interim ICAC’ or whether its investigations will have any legal validity.

‘We have sovereignty over B'ville, don’t interfere': Pato

PNG foreign minister Rimbink Pato addresses the UN general assembly - 'don't meddle in Bougainville'

STAFF REPORTER | Niu FM Pacific Radio News

PORT MORESBY - Papua New Guinea's foreign minister Rimbink Pato has told the United Nations general assembly that international meddling in the upcoming Bougainville independence referendum won't be welcome.

He told the global leaders that PNG is keen for the referendum commission, which will be led by former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, to begin its work.

But he says all stakeholders, while welcome in the work of the referendum, must not undermine PNG's sovereignty over Bougainville.

"We want to emphasise that the work of partnership, should in no way - and I repeat in no way - undermine the sovereignty of Papua New Guinea over its territory in accordance with international law."

The referendum Bougainville’s political future on will be held on 15 June next year.

Why PNG goes for high interest loans: to avoid scrutiny

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - The post global financial crisis era (Americans call it ‘the great recession’) of virtually free money is drawing to a close.

After years of quantitative easing (let’s call it ‘printing money’), the world's central banks are slowly but surely beginning the tricky process of pulling excessive liquidity out of the world economy.

The aim is to carefully defuse the world's enormous debt bomb without causing an explosion.

Also, thanks in part to Donald Trump's massive tax cut for America's corporations and wealthy individuals, interest rates on US Treasury Bonds are heading towards 3% pa and beyond.

Reflections on our 43rd year of independence

Students in Huli dress mark the 43rd anniversary of Papua New Guinea independence

IAN LING-STUCKEY CMG MP
| Shadow Minister for Treasury & Finance

PORT MORESBY - On the occasion of our 43rd anniversary of independence from Australia on 16 September 1975, it is timely to reflect on how our great country has been going over the last twelve months.

On balance there is a pretty mixed report card, with some good achievements and some clear problems.

Our 43rd year started in a thrilling way with our wonderful PNG Hunters team winning the Queensland rugby union grand final by defeating Sunshine Coast 12-10.

This was important for lifting national pride and also making clear to our friends in Australia that PNG is a force to be reckoned with as the win was achieved in only the fourth year of competition.

In response to Peter O’Neill’s Independence Day message

Peter O'Neill - a message empty of meaningful content and nothing that might serve to engage people's hearts.

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - Periodically, all political leaders feel the need to play the role of statesman. This is when they seek to rise above the noise, dysfunction and mundane squalor of ordinary politics and articulate a noble and worthy vision for the future of the nation.

These speeches usually are carefully crafted pieces of work, where the language chosen and the sentiments expressed are calculated to inspire the hearer to believe that the nation can and will, by harnessing the collective talents, energy and commitment of the people, become wealthier, greater and nobler.

This is often accompanied by reference to elements of national mythology, drawing upon shared ideas of nationhood, as well as notions that qualities like resilience, creativity and industry, supposedly at least, are possessed in abnormal abundance by the nation.

Such speeches are often carefully rehearsed, so that the tone, cadence and rhythm can be choreographed to achieve maximum impact upon the hearer and, especially, to appeal to their emotions.

Only independence will appease Bougainvilleans, O’Neill told

Bougainvilleans, bearing their flag, marching for an independence day that has yet to come

PATRICK MAKIS | PNG Post-Courier/Asia Pacific Report/Pacific Media Watch

BUKA - The people of Bougainville will only accept independence from Papua New Guinea and nothing else, says concerned Bougainvillean and independence hardliner Gabriel Moses.

And no amount of greater powers or autonomy will appease the people – especially after the loss of more than 15,000 lives during the 10-year Bougainville war.

Moses was speaking in reaction to comments made by Papua New Guinea’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, this week, who reportedly said that the PNG Constitution did not permit the granting of independence to any province or region in the country.

“It is hard to compensate the 15,000 to 20,000 lives that were lost during the conflict even with K20 million or 100 pigs or even greater autonomy, free and just association or whatever,” said Moses.

Embracing the future - we must believe in ourselves

PETER O’NEILL CMG MP | Prime Minister

PORT MORESBY - We must prepare our communities to adapt to changes in the modern world.

This includes dealing with natural disasters brought about by climate change so we can protect our people.

We must better adapt to the evolving global economy, so that we not only insulate ourselves from economic shocks – but we must take advantage of economic opportunity for our people.

Our country has products that the world wants and needs to buy.

This is not just our oil and gas resources, but we have renewable resources that are in high demand.

Is the world’s latest breed of ‘strong men’ leading us to chaos?

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - Now that we are some 50 years or so into the post-colonial era, it is painfully apparent that many former European colonies are struggling to make a go of independence.

It turns out that creating and maintaining a viable democratic nation state is much harder than anyone previously thought, including those of us fortunate enough to live in places like Australia.

As our recent local troubles have shown rather graphically, we cannot afford to take for granted that democratic norms will persist if those we elect decide to ignore long standing conventions and put spite, revenge, self-interest and ambition ahead of the national interest.

Is there a middle class in Papua New Guinea?

Dr Benedict Imbun is a Papua New Guinean expert in human resources, business ethics and business administration working in Sydney

BENEDICT Y IMBUN

SYDNEY - The development status of a country is arguably judged on the size of a middle class in the population more than any other characteristic such as economic and social indicators (e.g., levels of economic growth, infrastructure, educational and health achievements).

One of the primary reasons could be that the size of the middle class in many ways typifies not only the consumption pattern of the country, it also nurtures relevant economic, social, and political beliefs, values and ethos which forms its fabric.

The argument would be that aspirations a middle class harbours usually perpetuates and consolidates the mode of socio-economic and political achievements of the country, so is there such a middle class in Papua New Guinea?

In recent years, commentators and scholars have observed an emerging middle class in PNG increasingly spurred on by the country’s unprecedented economic growth since the 2000s. Others have lamented the ‘very limited’ growth in the middle class, making it difficult as a force to be reckoned with.

The argument in this narrative would be that the middle class as a social group in PNG is struggling to emerge in a society fraught with complex difficulties.

Police commissioner calls Madang MP a "mix race bastard"

Police Commissioner Gary Baki & Madang MP Bryan Kramer - Baki has a reputation for being hot-tempered; not the best attribute for making good decisions

BRYAN KRAMER MP

MADANG - Yesterday afternoon at 6pm I was at Biliau village on Manam Island when I noticed my phone registered five missed calls from of police commissioner Gary Baki.

I was on the Island to carry out an assessment of the extent of damage and plight of the Manam people following a massive volcanic eruption on Saturday morning but I was also aware that Bailiau was the same village where journalists were attacked on Sunday.

I was in the middle of speaking to villagers when commissioner Baki called. I also received a text message from him.

The message read - "Mr Kramer, it’s the police commissioner, can you answer your phone."

So Commisioner Baki thinks he can bury the O’Neill case?

Is Peter O'Neill in the clear? There are serious doubts that the people of PNG have seen justice in the long-running Paraka fraud case

FRANCIS NII

KUNDIAWA – Papua New Guinea police commissioner Gary Baki has claimed in a media statement that prime minister Peter O’Neill’s official corruption case is officially closed.

The long-running saga involves alleged fraudulent payments of K78.4 million of public funds to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

However, according to Bryan Kramer MP on Facebook, Baki may have both rekindled the fire of justice and possibly set a trap for the prime minister and the commissioner.

Baki stated his reason for closing the case was due to lack of evidence.

Whatever reason Baki may employ, though, many Papua New Guineans view the act as a conspiratorial servant-master scheme with no bearing at all on O’Neill’s innocence of the alleged crime.

PNG politicians have differing views on benefits of APEC

Bryan Kramer MP - after APEC life in PNG is not going to be any easier. Billions spent for what?

JOHNNY BLADES | Radio New Zealand

PORT MORESBY - Social breakdown could come to a head in Papua New Guinea after it hosts APEC, opposition MP Bryan Kramer has said.

PNG is preparing to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in November.

The government said the summit would present a remarkable marketing opportunity for PNG as an investment destination and a trade partner.

But Madang Open MP Bryan Kramer accused the government of borrowing beyond its means to spend on infrastructure projects in Port Moresby while neglecting basic services around the country.

"The reality is hospitals are running out of medicines. We've now got a polio outbreak. So it seems we're not focussing on our priorities and that is the welfare of the people," Mr Kramer said.

The true story of Minister Nali & the China Railway Group

Michael Nali MP

STAFF REPORTERS | PNGi Central | Edited extracts

You can read the full, detailed analysis of this most interesting relationship here

PORT MORESBY - Michael Nali is Papua New Guinea’s  Minister for Works and Implementation. Here we look at his unique private and public relationship with a Chinese state corporation implicated in a wide range of corruption and bribery scandals.

Nali was first elected to parliament in 1992. He is now in his fourth term as MP for the seat of Mendi in the Southern Highlands.

During a turbulent career, the MP for Mendi has faced two Leadership Tribunals, where he was accused of inciting a riot, misusing his position as a leader and misappropriating K650,000. Some of those allegations are still outstanding and have never been resolved.

Nali has also had a controversial role in one of PNG’s largest real estate development, the Paga Hill Estate.

Alongside his political career, Nali has developed a number of high profile businesses. They have kept him connected to some very influential political figures when out of public office between 2007 and 2017. During that period Nali’s companies also benefited from high-value and sometimes controversial government contracts.

The day Peter O'Neill called me a moron, a raskol & a snake

Peter O'Neill and Bryan Kramer - in Kramer O'Neill has found an ethical MP with the courage to take him on and the gall to make him lose his cool

BRYAN KRAMER

PORT MORESBY – On a notable day last week, prime minister Peter O'Neill was forced to apologise on the floor of parliament over rude remarks in which he called me a moron.

His apology was in response to the shadow attorney general Kerenga Kua's request to the deputy speaker to refer O'Neill to the parliamentary privileges committee.

O'Neill's remarks were triggered by my interjections over his misleading statements when trying to answer a series of questions put to him by the member of Moresby North West, Mekere Morauta, in relation to APEC.

O'Neill lost his cool, yelling at me to shut up, branding me a very special kind of moron.

"If the member of Madang can keep his mouth shut then I can answer. You are just a moron, in fact a moron of the highest degree."

Getting the numbers: How Somare won the 1972 election

Robert Forster - author of the just published 'The Northumbrian Kiap'

ROBERT FORSTER

NORTHUMBRIA - In the 1972 Papua New Guinea elections there were 102 seats in the House of Assembly.

The conservative, anti-independence United Party won 42. Michael Somare’s Pangu Pati won 24.

The United Party was sure it would form the next government, but Pangu Pati expertly put together a coalition.

Iambakey Okuk, a MP from Simbu in the highlands region, played a key role in forming the government that took the country into self-government and independence.

He later became Deputy Prime Minister and, as a minister, worked to reserve sectors of the economy for citizens as a method of returning a complex economic role to Papua New Guineans. He died aged only 41, and is recalled as one of PNG's great independence leaders.

Here is Iambakey Okuk’s own version of how it was done, taken from an address to some university students in 1982.

____________

Bougainville, independence & the doctrine of ‘stare decisis’

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - In 1977, as a young and ambitious ex-kiap turned proper public servant, I sought and obtained appointment to the apparently important position of Chief Clerk of the South Australian Department of Education.

The use of the term ‘Chief Clerk’ to describe this position was anachronistic in the extreme. The title was a hangover from the 19th century when such a person, seated at a high table reminiscent of a judge’s bench, presided over serried ranks of more junior clerks, each studiously dipping their quills in ink and writing or transcribing official documents of one form or another.

By 1977, while I still presided over 40 or so clerical officers, their duties ranged from running the department’s huge file registry to drafting, promulgating and interpreting the regulations made under the Education Act.

PNG promises come to nought, & Bougainville is getting anxious

President John Momis

EDITOR | Radio New Zealand Pacific

AUCKLAND – Bougainville’s president John Momis has raised concerns that the Papua New Guinea government is not pulling its weight as the autonomous region prepares for next June’s referendum on its political future.

Momis recently met with PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill at a meeting of a joint supervisory board to discuss preparing for the vote.

However, outstanding financial commitments of hundreds of millions of kina which PNG owes to Bougainville remain an obstacle to preparations.

PNG finally made a minor payment of $US1.49 million to Bougainville last week, but the cheque bounced, although this embarrassment has been denied by PNG treasurer Charles Abel.

Bougainville Day marks formal end of civil war hostilities

Bougainville Revolutionary Army irregulars of the Wirai faction - the peace process continues in the now autonomous province

ANTHONY KAYBING

ARAWA - Thirteen years ago Bougainville made a historic transition into a more flexible self-governing system that is the autonomous arrangement it enjoys today.

And 15 June next year is the date that epitomises the hopes and dreams of Bougainvilleans as, on that day, they progress towards their referendum on self-determination.

This year on 15 June – just one year before this important vote - the celebrations in Bougainville’s former capital, Arawa, were a little different from others held throughout the country.

The highlight was a reconciliation ceremony between North Nasioi ex-combatants of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and ex-members of the Bougainville Resistance Forces.

Government honesty needed to address economic challenges

Ian Ling Stuckey MP says the government must be honest if it is to develop appropriate policy responses to a seriously ill economy

IAN LING-STUCKEY MP | Edited extracts

You can read the Papua New Guinea shadow treasurer’s complete article here

KAVIENG - At a recent conference in Port Moresby, a striking statistic emerged. Economic academics from both the University of Papua New Guinea and the Australian National University said the non-resource sector of the PNG economy went backwards by 5.9% in 2015.

This extraordinary result confirmed what business people and the people of PNG have known for years – 2015 was a year of severe recession in PNG.

Yet the government continues to hide and delay official accounts from the National Statistics Office which would confirm the recession.

More honesty is needed from the government as a first step in addressing the economic problems facing PNG.

The long, sad history of cunning plans - & the implications for PNG

CHRIS OVERLAND

ADELAIDE - In the very funny television series ‘Blackadder’ the eponymous protagonist, played by the hugely talented Rowan Atkinson, has a manservant called Baldrick, played by prominent actor and historian Sir Tony Robinson.

Blackadder is constantly scheming to find ways to enhance his status, wealth or power, usually at the expense of others. In doing so he is assisted or mostly hindered by a cast of characters who manage to manifest the very worst qualities of Britain’s former aristocratic ruling elite.

A running joke throughout the series is that the exceedingly dim Baldrick often tries to help his master achieve his devious ends by devising “cunning plans”. These plans are invariably stupid and destined to fail but Baldrick is always disappointed when Blackadder points out their obvious flaws.

One of the important reasons the series resonates so powerfully with anyone familiar with history is because many of the scenarios it depicts echo the ambitions, attitudes and behaviours of real historic figures.

A billion kina owed, no referendum question – is it a PNG go-slow?

John Momis & Peter O'Neill at the referendum conference in Arawa, Bougainville - the main decision was to meet again next month

KEITH JACKSON

ARAWA – Friday’s top level meeting between Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’Neill and Bougainville president John Momis deferred the crucial issue of what questions will be put to the Bougainville people who will vote on their political future in a referendum on Saturday 15 June next year.

The joint PNG-Bougainville supervisory body agreed to postpone this and other crucial matters until its next meeting in Port Moresby at the end of this month.

It was a further instance of the PNG government’s longstanding tardiness – whether deliberate or because of institutional inefficiency – in handling almost every issue relating to Bougainville.

At the meeting Dr Momis stressed that PNG was still not providing Bougainville with the grant committed to enable its public service to operate effectively, including meeting salary costs.

He said the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is “in extreme budget crisis” due to the national government’s failure to make a range of payments.

Public comments sought on proposal for electoral reform

A G SITORI

Robert Atiyafa

PORT MORESBY - The Chairman of the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission, Robert Atiyafa MP, has just bought a two-page advertisement in each of the two national daily newspapers to publicise reforms in Papua New Guinea’s electoral laws.

Papua New Guineans have over the years voiced concerns on problems associated with electoral laws and processes and this is our chance to put in our own ideas for reform. I encourage everyone to contribute to the process.

There are twelve terms of reference indicated under the headings of pre-election, casting votes, limited preferential voting and electronic counting.

You can find more detail by going to the Commission’s Facebook page here and browsing through the information provided. It covers electronic voter registration, national identity cards, extra time for polling and more choices for preferential voting.

You can also find more information by emailing ericlkwa@gmail.com or olnllge2018@gmail.com or writing to the Constitutional and Law Reform Commission at PO Box 3439, Boroko, National Capital District.

Politicians need courage & wisdom to settle highlands grievances

Hela landowners set fire to buildings and machinery

FRANCIS NII

KUNDIAWA - The call by Angore landowners in troubled Hela Province for a forum to discuss the problems surrounding the gas project could be the beginning of meaningful dialogue among landowners and other stakeholders leading to a peaceful solution to the royalties crisis disgruntled.

The issue has been exacerbated by lack of landowner and political leadership on the ground.

All members of parliament from Southern Highlands and Hela mostly operate out of Port Moresby. They have avoided face to face dialogue to address the grievances of the people.

Frustrated landowners resorted to violence to draw the attention of their political leaders, resource developers and the PNG government to their marginalisation.

Demands for money from MPs can drive us into a corner

Governor Taboi Yoto

TABOI AWI YOTO | DevPolicy Blog | PNG Blogs

Taboi Yoto MP is governor of Western Province and an opposition member of the Papua New Guinea national parliament

DARU - There’s a public perception out there that members of parliament have a lot of money. In Western Province, many assume that MPs and the Governor are supposed to have all the money and goodies to dish out for every personal/family/group request.

Though it’s a fact that what we MPs receive in a fortnight is more compared to the rest of our ordinary citizens, the list of requests we receive is way beyond what our fortnightly pay can offset.

Since I won, there has been a never-ending list of requests that continue to flood my office via my Facebook inbox, Whatsapp, text messages, emails and phone calls.

Many requests that I have received have tagged phrases used to try to squeeze something out of me. Tagged phrases such as “I’m your voter”, “I campaigned for you”, “I gave you my first preference vote”, “I sacrificed my time for you”, “I’m your die-hard supporter since 2012”, “I was your scrutineer”, “I lost my tears for your victory”, “mi hard wok man yah” etc. etc.

Letter home: From afar a leader calls for peace & order

Heavily armed irregular fighters man pick-up trucks at Nipa in the Southern Highlands Province

KEITH JACKSON

NOOSA – Papua New Guinea finance minister James Marape has pleaded with the people in his Hela Province to “cease the use of threats, intimidations and guns as a means of getting your grievances heard and settled”.

This follows a period of arson, looting and road blocks on the fringes of the Angore and Hides gas fields last week.

“I ask you all to remove blockages and we work through the normal channels of dialogue again,” Marape said in a press statement issued in Port Moresby, which offered irony to his subsequent metaphor that “the O’Neill Abel government is not far from you landowners.”

One of the problems driving the elevated state of violence and disruption in the south-western Highlands provinces which are rich in resources has been the disregard of genuine landowner and other grievances and the absence of elected leaders from situations where they might have been able to exercise some influence.

Unrest in the highlands exposes deep political divisions

JOHNNY BLADES | Dateline Pacific | Radio New Zealand

WELLINGTON - Last week's court ruling upholding Southern Highlands governor William Powi's 2017 election win sparked the rampage by supporters of a losing candidate who had challenged the result.

As part of the ensuing state of emergency provisions, Papua New Guinea’s government has ordered the deployment of armed forces to restore order and has suspended the provincial government.

However, subsequently supporters of the suspended government and Mr Powi have been mobilising around the province with high-powered weapons, threatening violence.

While Mendi had quietened down by Monday, Mendi police commander Gideon Kauke said the potential for unrest remained acute.

"This is not a normal law and order situation. It is political differences and politically manipulated issues that are causing all the destructions," he said.

Earlier, prime minister Peter O'Neill said those behind last week's destruction would be arrested and prosecuted. But Commander Kauke said police hadn't made arrests yet because the situation was highly charged.

We don’t want to be a nation of beggars. Peter O’Neill must resign

SIR MEKERE MORAUTA

PORT MORESBY - The prime minister’s mismanagement of the economy and public finances has turned Papua New Guinea into a state of ‘hunting and gathering’, living daily from hand to mouth.

Mr O’Neill is now begging and selling the country into China’s lap. This week’s visit to China is a glaring example of begging. And begging is not for the good of the nation.

It is used for projects for O’Neill’s own glorification – like tearing up good roads in Port Moresby for the Chinese and his friends to rebuild so APEC motorcades can ride on them for one day.

Look at the members of the delegation that has gone to China. Is the prime minister in China to sell off our petroleum, gas, fisheries and forestry resources, Ok Tedi, and Bank South Pacific?

Troops arrive in Mendi. Politicians apologise for ‘distress’

STAFF REPORTER | Asia Pacific Report | Edited

PORT MORESBY - More than 100 Papua New Guinea soldiers from Taurama Barracks have arrived in the Southern Highlands capital of Mendi after a nine-month state of emergency was declared by the PNG government.

And political leaders from the Southern Highlands – including prime minister Peter O’Neill - apologised to the nation for the “distress” caused by rioting and destruction of state property last week.

Video clips circulating in PNG social media show armed Southern Highlanders, some with assault rifles, challenging the government and threatening the massive PNG liquefied gas pipeline project in the province.

Some protest placards referred to the suspension of the Southern Highlands provincial government and the appointment by Port Moresby of an acting provincial administrator although it was unclear what the full range of their demands were.

While Mendi burns, Peter O'Neill hides out in Moresby

BRYAN KRAMER MP | Nokondi Talk | Edited extracts

MADANG – On Friday prime minister Peter O'Neill declared a state of emergency in Southern Highlands Province following a serious outbreak of civil violence in the capital Mendi.

The decision covered the suspension of the provincial government, appointing an emergency controller, deploying the police mobile squad and criminal investigators, initiating troop deployments and approving K6 million to enable their mobilisation.

The unrest – including the torching of the governor’s residence, an Air Niugini aircraft and the court house - was triggered by a national court ruling dismissing a petition challenging the election of Governor William Powi.

The PNG electoral commission had declared Powi the winner of the regional seat in last year’s general elections, a decision unprecedented as the decision was made before counting was complete.

What is particularly interesting about this matter is that it is taking place in O'Neill's own province. So what does he do?

Is Bougainville’s referendum binding on the PNG government?

John Momis & Peter O'Neill at the referendum conference in Port Moresby

Extract from a talk by ANTHONY REGAN to last week’s Bougainville referendum conference. You can read more comprehensive coverage of the conference here

PORT MORESBY - As was agreed between the parties negotiating the Bougainville Peace Agreement, following the intervention of Australia’s then foreign minister Alexander Downer, the outcome of the referendum scheduled for June next year will not be binding on the Papua New Guinea government.

The peace agreement states that “the outcome will be subject to ratification [final decision-making authority] of the national parliament” and that the two governments (Bougainville and PNG) “will consult over the results of the referendum”.

The provisions of the PNG constitution, though, are worded differently. They state that the governments “shall consult over the results” and that the results shall be taken to the national parliament “subject to the consultation”.

In other words, if it were to be agreed to by the two governments in the course of the consultation that there is no need for the results to go to the parliament for the time being, that would be permissible.

Transparency urges govt to ditch plans for first-past-post voting

Lawrence Stephens

MEDIA STATEMENT | Transparency International PNG

PORT MORESBY - Transparency International PNG (TIPNG) is gravely concerned by a recent statement by prime minister Peter O’Neill who has told parliament PNG should go back to the first-past-the-post voting system and abandon the limited preferential voting (LPV) used in the 2012 and 2017 national elections.

“The LPV system has increased the democratic mandate of elected leaders and any step back to first-past-the-post will risk diminishing the voices of the people of Papua New Guinea in our national elections,” said TIPNG chairman Lawrence Stephens.

“The voting system is a non-issue in comparison to other more pressing administrative challenges to ensuring the integrity of national elections that should represent the views of Papua New Guineans.”

Preferential voting systems like LPV are seen to be more democratic than first-past-the-post as they allow voters the opportunity to spread their votes amongst multiple candidates with the winner of a majority of votes after elimination and redistribution of votes being quantitatively more representative – especially in electorates with many candidates.

Facebook ban would stifle dissent of the people’s parliament

Alan Bird MP says Facebook is the 'people's parliament' which gives citizens a voice

BEN PACKHAM The Australian

CANBERRA - The Papua New Guinea government has been accused of trying to stifle dissent in the lead-up to this year’s APEC conference with a plan to take Facebook offline in the country for a month.

Free press organisation Reporters without Borders this week condemned the plan as a move by the government to silence online critics, particularly those sounding the alarm over corruption.

Amid growing criticism of the ban, opposition MP Allan Bird warned it would alarm APEC nations as PNG prepared to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation leader’s week in November.

Communications minister Sam Basil announced the ban late last month, saying it was to identify “fake accounts” and users who posted “false, misleading information”.

“This will allow genuine people with real identities to use the social network responsibly,” he said.

PNG’s roughly 900,000 internet consumers are big users of Facebook, which has become the primary means of sharing sensitive political stories that mainstream media would be reluctant to report.

Anwar outs Australia on corruption. The issue must be addressed

Anwar Ibrahim - "Australia's foreign policy is perceived as tolerant of corruption"

PHIL FITZPATRICK

TUMBY BAY - I’ve long had a theory that the industrial scale corruption now prevalent in Papua New Guinea was originally imported by Malaysian logging companies and that one of the first politicians they corrupted was the then forestry minister.

Many of these logging companies were owned by Malaysian Chinese and this is still the case. Anecdotal evidence related to the recent influx of Chinese companies into PNG also reports a high level of corruption.

What we call bribery and graft, although illegal and in some jurisdictions punishable by death, is regarded as a normal way of doing business in China and many other Asian countries. Greasing the wheels of commerce is a way of life.

It seems to be only when such practises escalate out of control that there is official reaction.

A good example of outrageous and unacceptable behaviour is the current case of recently defeated Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak.

Najib is facing allegations he looted the state-funded One-Malaysia Development Bank and used the stolen billions to buy everything from real estate to artworks. His wife apparently has a handbag collection on an industrial scale.

On Mr Speaker referring me to parliament’s privileges committee

BRYAN KRAMER | Facebook | Edited extracts

Bryan Kramer - 'The member is confused about the issues & appears to have been used as a tool'

MADANG – Last Thursday the member for Tewae-Siassi Open in Papua New Guinea’s national parliament, Kobby Bomareo, sought leave from the Speaker to make a personal statement on the floor of parliament.

Bomareo’s statement was in relation to my Facebook post, "Did Dumb Just Get Dumber" [ see PNG Attitude story here].

He took issue with the article suggesting it labelled his Pangu Party leader and minister of communications and energy Sam Basil as ‘dumb’.

Bomareo called for leaders to have respect, dignity and be responsible in their conduct, writing and speech both in and outside parliament.

“The MP for Bulolo is definitely not dumb but because of [sic] the MP for Madang’s post on Facebook which is demeaning,” Bomareo said.

“The MP for Madang is a first-timer charging that the people of Bulolo have been electing a dumb MP for the third time. That’s not on.

Did dumb just get dumber & Sam Basil just dig himself a hole?

Sam Basil with Peter O'Neill - worried about the well- being of PNG or just politicians feelings being hurt?

KEITH JACKSON

NOOSA – Samuel H Basil, the man who might ban Papua New Guineans from Facebook, was not always such a stern opponent of the social media platform he now despises - a platform used by nearly a million of  his fellow citizens.

Indeed it was only 18 months ago that Basil – who is now communications minister - posted on his own Facebook page: “FB users in PNG have used the medium to their advantage exposing corruption in government.... Everything is changing; people are taking their bloggers seriously and their politicians as comedians.”

Yes, bloggers serious; politicians comic.

Then last week, having defected not only from his political base but seemingly from his former progressive and liberal ideas, Basil felt able to announce that Facebook could be banned for a month for some mysterious “research” – and maybe disposed of permanently, perhaps to be replaced by Basbook.

The Kramer censoring: Another attack on freedom of speech

Governor Gary Juffa

GARY JUFFA | Facebook | Edited

POPONDETTA - The Papua New Guinea government’s move to refer Bryan Kramer to the parliamentary privileges committee is nothing but another attack on freedom of free speech.

We politicians, rather than being hurt by what people say about us, should be hurt by deteriorating health, education, and law and order; and the loss of PNG jobs, businesses, forests and marine resources.

We should be hurt by the stealing by transnational criminal cartels and the worsening economic conditions that affect our people.

Criticism comes with the territory we occupy as politicians. We all get attacked for various reasons. When you put yourself in the public's eye you are agreeing to the reality of being criticised. We need to develop a thick skin and rise above it. That's leadership. To try to stifle and suppress criticism is the exact opposite of leadership – it is dictatorship.

Why Peter Numu wants Facebook banned (& how we’ll stop him)

Peter Numu and Sam Basil

LIVINGSTONE TALEX FONTENU | Nokondi Talk | Edited

GOROKA – I’ve previously expressed my disgust at Sam Basil’s deliberate efforts to silence freedom of speech through banning Facebook.

Basil’s call was unmistakably a ‘good news trumpet’ for most politicians who are not only afraid of what Facebook can do to their corrupt rule but also afraid to take public criticism.

In this context, it is not surprising that Peter Numu, the governor of Eastern Highlands Province, couldn't hold his patience and publicly embarrassed himself in parliament when he jumped on Basil’s bandwagon.

Let me tell you why Peter Numu is one of the MPs who wish to ban Facebook.

PNG students in China say Facebook ban could be damaging

Is Sam Basil's one month takedown of Facebook for dubious "research" just a precursor to a total ban?

MELISHA YAFOI | Pacific Media Watch

Since this article was written and the Facebook ban story widely reported  around the world, PNG communications minister Sam Basil has walked back from his statement about suspending the social media platform. Basil now says his words were 'taken out of context' and 'not official, just a discussion'.....

BEIJING – Papua New Guinean students studying in Beijing, China, have described the move by PNG communications minister Sam Basil to suspend Facebook for one month as “irrelevant” and damaging for educational communications.

Speaking in a forum, the students expressed disappointment, saying there are more pressing issues that the government needs to address yet it is concerned about legislating freedom of speech for the people.

They said that being outside the country they were able to read information and connecting with family back home as many of the people do not have other social media platforms other than Facebook.

Basil hints at Chinese model as Facebook faces PNG shutdown

KEITH JACKSON

NOOSA – The Post-Courier newspaper reports today that the Papua New Guinea government intends prevent access to Facebook for one month for so-called “research purposes”.

Communication minister Sam Basil has established no date for the shutdown, nor has he revealed how he will achieve it.

He has also not stated how the country will cope if access is prevented to the many substantive and legitimate sites that are used for day-to-day commercial, government, personal and emergency transactions in PNG.

Basil said his Communications and Information Technology Department and National Research Institute will conduct “research and analysis” of Facebook’s use, adding that his ministry was trying to enforce the 2016 Cyber Crime Act.

Schram tells: ‘My wrongful dismissal & malicious prosecution’

Albert Schram finally at liberty in Singapore - "A truly terrifying world, but the truth will set us free"

ALBERT SCHRAM

SINGAPORE – On his way back home to Verona in Italy during a stopover in Singapore, Dr Albert Schram wrote a lengthy article on his scarifying experiences in Papua New Guinea. It provides a detailed background and analysis of what befell him when he ran foul of powerful political players. You can read here the original Facebook piece, from which this extensive extract is drawn - KJ

My Arrest

Now that I have safely left Papua New Guinea, I feel free to write about what happened and was not reported in the national media.

As Vice Chancellor (President) for the PNG University of Technology appointed for two terms, I worked with seven Ministers of Higher Education, and three different Chancellors.

My achievements in this period speak for themselves. Most significantly, after an independent account went over all the university accounts, we achieved an unqualified, clean audit report by the Auditor General for the first time in over two decades, and became one of the handful of agencies with this distinction.

O’Neill defends his preparations for Bougainville referendum

MERIBA TULO | Asia Pacific Report

PORT MORESBY - With just a year to go before the people of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville go to the polls to determine their political future, the Papua New Guinean government has defended its handling of preparations.

Prime minister Peter O’Neill said the government had done more for the Bougainville during his term than at any other time.

He said next month’s Joint Supervisory Body meeting between the national and Bougainville governments will be of the utmost importance for the referendum next June.

In parliament, the MP for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu, asked a series of questions regarding the government’s efforts in support of Bougainville’s preparations for the referendum.

It's difficult to be enthusiastic about APEC's immense cost

Watna Mori - government still owes much money from past spending on public spectacles

WATNA MORI | The Interpreter | Lowy Institute

PORT MORESBY - It is not clear when the big-man politics in Papua New Guinea’s foreign policy began.

It was likely during the prime ministership of Sir Michael Somare in the early 2000s, when he pushed for PNG to be an aid donor to the region.

At the time, and to this day, PNG continues to be Australia’s largest aid recipient, so Somare’s aim seemed hugely ironic. The ambition kicked off debates in the national newspapers between Somare’s cohorts and critics.

With the exit of Somare and the entry of Peter O’Neill, the benevolence grew. In 2013, O’Neill unveiled the Pacific aid program and proceeded to make donations to various Pacific countries, including a whopping US$18.5 million of funding for the Fiji national elections in 2014.

The O’Neill government also needed to deliver on several infrastructure-heavy commitments made in the heat of promised liquefied natural gas (LNG) returns. These included the Melanesian Arts Festival in July 2014 and the South Pacific Games in July 2015.