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