Back with bitters

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Application for judicial review rejected

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

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

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

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.