Tracking daily developments in the struggle for a Papua New Guinea worthy of its people
Thursday 9 June
THERE are fears for the wellbeing of a number of students who remain missing after yesterday's shootings at UPNG. Police claim 23 people were injured but say no one was killed. This has not been independently verified. More than 24 hours on, dozens of students are unaccounted for. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305965/fears-for-students-still-missing-after-png-unrest
UPNG students signal they will continue to boycott classes in their protest against prime minister Peter O'Neill. However, for now they are taking stock of the carnage from yesterday's savagery when police opened fire on students at the Waigani campus. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305997/png-uni-students-to-take-stock-of-carnage
THE ABC is reporting more shots have been fired in Port Moresby this morning and attempts made to torch a police barracks. But there is still no clarity on casualties as suspicion mounts that prime minister O'Neill may have lied to Malcolm Turnbull that nobody was killed in the initial confrontation.
AMNESTY International describes the shooting of students peacefully protesting in Port Moresby as a disgraceful attack on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. With hard figures on casualties impossible to obtain and disinformation from government and police sources, Amnesty believes 38 people were injured, including four in critical condition. https://pngexposed.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/disgraceful-shootings-of-students-must-be-promptly-investigated/
RESPECTED corruption fighter Sam Koim writes: “To the Heartless who may be wondering why I shed tears today, let me tell you this / My heart is not made of stone / My flesh is not made of steel / My passion for my country is driven by my compassion for my people / When my people cry, I cry / When my people are hurt, I am hurt / What more would make me cry than crying for what happened today / These innocent students were shot openly in daily light, and I cried openly / I am not ashamed of my tears.” Sam Koim is everything Peter O’Neill is not. https://www.facebook.com/sam.koim/posts/1125384834191226
LIKE a textbook tinpot dictator, Peter O’Neill, condemns “agitators” for instigating yesterday’s police violence. He also announces an inquiry – but into students not police. “This is now a law and order issue,” he says. “We must obtain the facts and ensure this does not happen again.” http://www.looppng.com/content/pm-o%E2%80%99neill-condemns-agitators-behind-upng-confrontation#.V1g08wqOwLs.twitter
AFTER spending a day downplaying and misinforming about students deaths and woundings, disgraced police commissioner Gari Baki demands that people refrain from releasing unconfirmed, unsubstantiated information to the public. He could in fairness start with himself. http://www.looppng.com/content/police-commissioner-urges-public-refrain-releasing-unconfirmed-reports-public#.V1g00ECYTM8.twitter
SPEAKER Theo Zurenuoc says something sensible. As acting governor-general he says parliament should not have been suspended yesterday. "Some of the pressure should have been defused in parliament. I think that's the appropriate avenue for all concerns of the people of the nation to be dealt with." Correct. Peter O’Neill doesn’t get it – or, more likely, doesn’t care. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/pacific/305922/png-governor-general-disappointed-in-parliament-adjournment
ORO governor Gary Juffa forecasts dire s repercussions for the government from yesterday’s violence, pointing out that students come from all over PNG. He also says people “will hold their leaders to account…. some of the reactions of the leaders leave a lot to be desired…. "[They] will only escalate the tension, they do not resolve anything." http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305940/fears-of-escalating-tensions-in-png
DEMONSTRATING they are unfit to administer a pet rock let alone a university, UPNG authorities obtain a court order against further protests after police open fire on students. If UPNG had responded like Unitech’s Albert Schram instead of going to war with students, outcomes may have been very different. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-09/png-university-gains-court-order-to-prevent-student-protests/7494692
KUDOS to Radio New Zealand International’s coverage of yeterday’s atrocity. Under the experienced leadership of the well-networked Johnny Blades and with Todagia Kelola on the ground, the reporting was comprehensive and as reliable as you can get in the circumstances. To its credit, and unlike other sources, RNZI refuses to buy into government and police propaganda.
NUMEROUS students report that local residents and strangers helped and protected them from the brutal police assault. Some students ran to Ensisi settlement and were hidden by residents. Other members of the public gathered at the campus gates and scolded the officers, questioning their use of firearms. “These are not our children but as parents we feel their pain,” a mother told Loop PNG. University guards responded courageously, protecting female students from assault while others tried to revive unconscious students and get medical treatment. http://www.looppng.com/content/strangers-showed-kindness-when-students-thought-all-was-lost?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
Wednesday 8 June
JUSTICE Bernard Sakora was not acquitted as was misreported earlier in the mainstream press. The charge against him was dismissed by the magistrate because of an alleged procedural error by the police. Justice Sakora had been accused of corruptly receiving a payment in return for issuing a blanket injunction preventing implementation of the findings of the Commission of Inquiry into the Department of Finance or any media reporting on the matter. https://pngexposed.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/post-courier-wrong-sakora-not-acquitted/
DISGRUNTLED InterOil shareholders have begun to ramp up their campaign against Oil Search's K7 billion takeover offer, arguing it "materially undervalues" the company by as much as K10.5 billion. "Concerned InterOil shareholders" backed by company founder Phil Mulacek claim as much as K13 billion worth of possible oil and gas in the Elk-Antelope field is not reflected in Oil Search's bid price. http://www.smh.com.au/business/energy/unhappy-interoil-investors-say-oil-search-bid-materially-undervalues-their-company-20160607-gpdcs8.html#ixzz4AvA1qoMS
PNG's international standing is helping secure its economic future, says prime minister Peter O’Neill, evidencing the staging at short notice of the Africa Caribbean Pacific leaders’ summit last week. “We do more than just host events successfully,” O’Neill said. “We enjoy a strong leadership role in the deliberations that take part during events such as the ACP leader’s summit and the Pacific Islands Forum.” He said it was also strengthening PNG’s reputation as a secure country to invest in. http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/papua-new-guineas-international.html#ixzz4AveqTCG1
Tuesday 7 June
PNG’s opposition is making a fourth attempt to unseat the government of prime minister Peter O'Neill. This morning it lodged another motion for a vote of no confidence in the national parliament. Previous attempts to test the government's numbers have been blocked largely by technicalities. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-07/papua-new-guinea-opposition-launches-no-confidence-vote-bid/7487528
OPPOSITION leader Don Polye calls on Peter O’Neill to reveal how much the state’s 19.5% equity in the LNG project has earned for PNG. “The prime minister has deliberately failed to disclose how much the volume of LNG cargo shipment has earned for our public coffers,” Polye alleges. “Our people are just fed up with his serial lies and grandstanding statements. Does he have moral conscience to feel guilty of hiding the truth from being known by our people.” http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/polye-calls-on-pm-oneill-to-reveal-195.html#ixzz4Aqna4HPv
ACCORDING to party officials, the National Alliance – led by Patrick Pruaitch - will not be a willing partner of Peter O’Neill’s People’s National Congress after the 2017 elections. “Presently, Peter O’Neill is giving out contracts to his companies and cronies at very inflated costs,” a National Alliance public relations operative is said to have remarked. O’Neill is also blamed for concentrating development priorities in Port Moresby at the expense of critical sectors of the economy. http://www.pngblogs.com/2016/06/pnc-betrayed-our-confidence-national.html
CHIEF Justice Sir Salamo Injia tells the Opposition to personally serve Peter O’Neill with a copy of an application challenging the government’s decision to acquire a K3 billion loan from the Union Bank of Switzerland. He says the PM must be served properly and in person and not through his office. The matter returns to court on 14 June. http://www.looppng.com/content/pm-be-personally-served-ubs-case#.V1X6Zj-so5Y.twitter
UNITED States ambassador Catherine-Ebert Gray says PNG needs laws to protect its bird species. Pointing out that PNG has more than 1,000 different bird species, Ms Gray, observes that “it’s a great source of tourism and it’s a great interest to people around the world who come to see the birds of PNG.” http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=Gray-on-bird-species&subcategory=Top-Stories
GOVERNMENT MP Ken Fairweather signs the vote of no-confidence in prime minister Peter O'Neill. He says the economy has been mismanaged, even his own business is severely affected, and the government is not controlling spending and expenditure and is borrowing too much. Fairweather says he is disgusted with the government, including his own People’s Progress Party leader, Ben Micah. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305785/png-government-mp-backs-no-confidence-move
A STUDENT leader from UPNG’s medical school urges the media not to twist facts or sensationalise events. “You are also citizens of this country,” Hermin Peamo tells journalists. “We are fighting for all of us.” UPNG students started their boycott on 2 May, calling for prime minister Peter O’Neill to respect the integrity of his office and step aside. http://www.looppng.com/content/upng-student-leader-calls-media-be-fair#.V1X6kPW3ga0.twitter
“ADMINISTRATION of soccer is serially monopolised; it is run by select group of individuals,” says Isaac B Lupari CBE chairman of the National Soccer League and prime minister O’Neill chief of staff. He calls for the immediate overhaul of leadership of the PNG Football Association. “Every aspects of soccer administration is controlled by few people. These people do not want to accept change and they do everything within their power to stop change,” he says. http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/lupari-calls-for-overhaul-of.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#ixzz4Apq1KuwB
AS Peter O’Neill celebrates PNG’s 200th shipment of natural gas, the commodity's price continues in free fall. In east Asia prices decline 35% in 2016. In the UK, the price is down by 20%. And in the US, the benchmark plunges below $2 and is easily the year’s worst performer in the Bloomberg Commodity Index. More bad news for the PNG economy. http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/3bc0116c-e681-11e5-a09b-1f8b0d268c39.html#axzz4ApsYTeEC
Monday 6 June
UPNG students boycott of classes enters its fourth week despite calls from the university for classes to resume today. Student leader Gerald Tulu Manu-Peni says students last night agreed boycotts would continue. “We believe that what we are doing is for the good of this nation [and] that is why we can put our education on the line." http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305720/png-students-continue-boycott
LAE manufacturer KK Kingston is struggling as it tries to deal with the short supply of foreign currency. "To be honest we have tried to engage with the government," says CEO Michael Kingston, “but we have found it very difficult to find someone who is willing to talk to us and help us, so we are pretty much dealing with it on our own…. Every month some suppliers go unpaid and our debts overseas slowly get bigger because we can't get the Australian and US dollars we want.” http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=Puma-Energy-Dealing-with-Forex-Challenges-in-PNG-&subcategory=Top-Stories
Sunday 5 June
UNIVERSITY students who had their case struck out by the Wewak District Court can be re-arrested says East Sepik police boss Peter Philips. They were charged for unlawful assembly, but Philips says they can be re-arrested and charged under the Peace and Good Order Act. “I cannot compromise,” he says. http://www.looppng.com/content/ppc-philips-says-sepik-students-can-be-re-arrested?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
PNG police commissioner Gari Baki says there is no room for violent officers in his force. The comments follow police assaults on reporters at Boroko police station. Police brutality is a systemic problem in PNG and there is public cynicism that the problem will be addressed. http://www.looppng.com/content/baki-there-no-room-violent-persons-police-force?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
Saturday 4 June
OCTOVIANUS Mote, secretary-general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, has been refused entry to PNG and says no reason was given but that “it was an order from the top”. Mote is the second leader of the ULMWP to be turned away from PNG. He stressed he was not deported and that he was treated respectfully as a wantok by PNG’s immigration. http://matangitonga.to/2016/06/03/west-papuan-leader-turned-away-png
“THE one thing every Papua New Guinean wants to tell people about Manus Island is how beautiful it is,” says ABC correspondent Eric Tzlozek. “[But the people] are not always friendly with me when I want to film the detention centre. I have been harassed while filming it from a public road some distance away — the many Manusians who work there are worried about their jobs.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-04/manus-island-tension-rising-between-locals-and-asylum-seekers/7475364
ZIMBABWEANS are angry at Robert Mugabe’s trip to the ACP meeting in PNG, complaining of his “penchant to blow taxpayers money on such unhelpful trips at a time the country is buffeted by serious problems which include acute cash shortages and widespread drought. This has earned him the unkind moniker back home as the 'visiting president'.” http://www.theindependent.co.zw/2016/06/03/acp-meeting-mugabes-fruitless-trips-wasteful/
“LOW commodity prices cannot be the sole reason PNG is broke. Poor economic management, including bad forecasting, has created this mess,” comments Albert Kasokason on Twitter. Astute remark. @ConfigGuyPom
EXIM Bank of China has reneged on a loan of K900 million to the PNG government thereby stopping work on the Pacific Maritime Industrial Zone project in Madang will not begin operations as planned. State Enterprise Minister, William Duma, claims the reason was landowner issues. “We wasted more time fixing landowner issues thus the time to acquire the loan elapsed,” he said. http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=PMIZ-Loan-Questioned-in-Parliament
Friday 3 June
NATIONAL Research Institute director Dr Charles Yala warns about the national economy. “We never learn from history,” he says. “We blew up the budget in the early 1990s and created a self-destructive situation. We anticipated Kutubu, Misim Lihir and Porgera would all come on stream. One of our prime ministers said PNG is an island of gold floating on a sea of oil. That bonanza did not deliver. We do not seem to get it. We fail to do the little things correctly.” http://www.onepng.com/2016/06/nri-director-yala-warns-of-pngs.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
THE PNG opposition is hoping the courts will force parliament to allow its motion of no confidence in the O'Neill government, the fourth time it has tried. Previous motions were declared illegal by the Speaker or his deputy, who queried the validity of signatures on documents. A court ruling is due later today. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305543/png-courts-to-decide-validity-of-no-confidence-motion
ENVIRONMENTALISTS warn that a large-scale copper and gold mine in the Sepik River catchment could harm the pristine Sepik and Frieda Rivers. "From a biological perspective I can hardly think of a worse place for a copper mine," said Prof Tim Flannery, who made his name in PNG identifying 16 mammal species unknown to science. Frieda River is one of the 10 largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-01/first-mine-in-png-sepik-region-worries-environmentalists/7467984
A DOCUMENT obtained by ABC Lateline program refers to alleged rape of a PNG woman by three Australian security guards last July. A short time after, the men fled to Australia. Manus MP Ronnie Knight says Australia’s Immigration Department is “hiding something”. The Department argues making the information public would damage Australia's relationship with PNG. Knight says the men should be brought back to PNG to help with the investigation. "That should straighten up the relationship,” he says.
SOURCE close to PNG Government reveals cabinet given confidential report into alleged rape on Manus but this has not been disclosed publicly. "The Australian government and PNG government have total disrespect for the leaders of Manus,” says Ronnie Knight. Australian Department of Immigration says "allegations of criminal activity on Manus are a matter for the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary." http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2016-06-02/manus-island-rape-claims-censored-report-shows-immigration-department-hiding-something-mp-says/1586922?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
NATIONAL Research Institute says private sector businesses are feeling the pinch of the cash flow and foreign reserves crisis and government must borrow to stabilise the situation. But NRI admits that lack of foreign reserves will still remain a problem because the concessional loans are only a short term solution to the crisis. http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/nri-advises-government-to-borrow-more.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#ixzz4ASHYfj1W
AS protests spread throughout PNG, hundreds of people at Kimbe, West New Britain, turn up to listen to students and local leaders express discontent with the current government. They call on prime minister O’Neill to respect the integrity of the PM’s office, step aside and clear the numerous allegations levelled against him. http://www.looppng.com/content/hundreds-turn-kimbe-listen-students?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
UPNG – with egg on its face - recants and lifts the suspension of Semester 1 allowing students to resume classes. The university suspended classes after a protracted student protest against the government. It now says students who want to continue boycotting or to express their democratic right can do so, but the semester will resume. http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/06/university-council-lifts-suspension.html#ixzz4ASFTybJH
Thursday 2 June
IT’S not competence, nor the people’s will, nor ethics, it’s the money, according to vice minister Joe Sungi. “All we are concerned about [is] DSIP funds,” he says. “It’s not about your number of qualifications … so long as you have the money, you will master the numbers.” http://www.looppng.com/content/dsip-funds-keep-mps-intact-pm-o%E2%80%99neill-says-sungi
A NATIONAL disgrace. Fourteen medical officers have contracted multi-drug resistant tuberculosis whilst treating patients in Daru. “They are the true sons and daughters of PNG,” says Sam Koim. “It is very disheartening to know that they were not compensated for the added risks to their lives as a consequence of the live-threatening work they undertook. May God heal them, I pray.”
PROFESSIONAL aviators in PNG have joined the cause of students and unions in asking prime minister Peter O'Neill to step down. The pilots said they wanted “to preserve the integrity of the highest office of the land. This country belongs to the people of PNG. It does not belong to any one person, be it Peter O'Neill or anyone else.” https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1018970944848721&set=a.281700335242456.67369.100002074762122&type=3&theater
INTEROIL founder and big wheel Phil Mulacek has commenced legal action to postpone the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled for 14 June until they have an opportunity to vote on the proposed bid by Oil Search for InterOil, which has the enthusiastic backing of Peter O’Neill. “We are very concerned that shareholders are being asked to vote on board nominees without having the benefit of full disclosure regarding the details about the Oil Search transaction,” Mulacek says. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/concerned-interoil-shareholders-commence-legal-proceedings-to-postpone-interoil-annual-and-special-meeting-until-after-vote-on-oil-searchtotal-proposal-300277281.html
PROTESTING UPNG students have won the right to stay on campus while a court considers their eviction. The university council had given the students 48 hours to leave after it suspended the semester and called in police to quash long-running student protests against the government. The PNG National Court has extended an injunction against that eviction and allowed the students to seek a judicial review. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-01/png-student-protesters-to-stay-on-campus/7468398
Wednesday 1 June
PNG’s opposition will attempt another vote of no-confidence to topple prime minister Peter O’Neill this afternoon. Opposition leader Don Polye says its numbers are increasing as more MPs move its way “to fight this monster”. “We will not rest until this corrupt government is gone,” he says. " http://www.onepng.com/2016/05/png-opposition-confident-of.html
PARLIAMENT was adjourned yesterday with the motion of no-confidence in the government not tabled. This is now expected today. Students will return to rally outside parliament again after staging a a peaceful protest yesterday. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305288/png-students-rally-outside-parliament
A NERVOUS Wabag MP, Robert Ganim, says anti-government protests by students are a threat to national security. He made the claim after Enga police said students rioted there last week. However opposition MPs alleged the government was trying to discredit protesters by falsely portraying students as being manipulated by political interests. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305220/claim-png-national-security-at-threat-from-protests
IN AN escalation of its conflict with students, the Department of Higher Education has threatened protesters on study assistance may lose their scholarships “for not behaving in a proper manner”. http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/05/protesting-students-may-loose-their.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#ixzz4AH0dUCdA
SIR Michael Somare expresses outrage at the actions of police towards students and the public in Wewak on Monday. “It is despicable that leaders are abusing their office by instructing the police to carry out their dirty deeds. Your role is to provide a safe and secure environment for our people,” he says, http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/05/somare-condemns-police-actions-in.html#ixzz4AH3eWxEf
Tuesday 31 May
CENTRAL Bank governor Loi Bakani refutes claims that PNG’s economy is heading towards an economic crisis similar to Greece. He says PNG is not heavily indebted and the comparison is unfounded. Adverse effects from a fall in global commodity prices have slowed PNG’s economy drastically and economist Paul Flanagan says poor governance is partly responsible. http://www.emtv.com.pg/article.aspx?slug=Bakani-Refutes-Claims-about-Economic-Crisis-&utm_source=emtv&utm_medium=twitter
ELECTORAL commissioner Patilias Gamato hopes the government will provide the funding needed to conduct the general election next year. He asked the government for more than $6 million but only $3 million was allocated. The commission still has to settle outstanding bills from the 2012 election. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305244/png-electoral-commission-hopes-for-more-money
SIR Michael Somare has paid the bail of 18 students arrested in Wewak for exercising their democratic rights. The grand chief stumped up the K9,000 and also negotiated with the provincial police commander to secure the students’ release. Somare also addressed the crowd, explaining why the students were engaged in a political awareness program. https://poboxblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/maket-mamas-street-boys-grand-chief-pay-k9000-for-sepik-students/
THE astute Albert Schram tells PNG Attitude it is regrettable that “massive vote buying, lack of a proper electoral role, multiple voting, ballot box stuffing and ballot box destruction” sullies PNG elections. Prof Schram says establishing a proper electoral roll and biometric identification will diminish these problems. [see Recent Comments]
UPNG students from Papua have called on their MPs for support after a political awareness program in Milne Bay, Central and National Capital District. They discussed the status of the economy and educated the public on the integrity of the prime minister’s office. The students asked their MPs to call for prime minister Peter O’Neill to step aside for questioning to clear the allegations against him. http://www.looppng.com/content/upng-southern-region-students-call-mps-support?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
Monday 30 May
FORMER Attorney-General Kerenga Kua has called upon police commissioner Gary Baki to direct his Wewak police commander to release the students who were verbally abused, assaulted and locked up for allegedly conducting “an illegal awareness campaign”. Kua said “this is one more proof that everything has been designed politically for political conveniences just to uphold one man.” https://www.facebook.com/namorongmartyn/posts/885642644877862
WEWAK police arrested students from UPNG, Unitech and high schools this morning for spreading information about the political awareness campaign. Students say they were beaten and the wife and baby of a student was locked up along with parents. East Sepik police commander Peter Philips says the students were arrested for driving around, causing a commotion and unlawfully assembling in the township area.
UNITECH students carrying out a political awareness program in the Highlands region say they have received overwhelming support from the rural population with 4,000 people at their first forum at Goroka. http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/05/30/student-leader-reports-huge-png-support-during-awareness-rallies/
FORMER MP Gabriel Ramoi tells PNG Attitude there is a “conspiracy to invite the IMF in through the back door and to remove a popular nationalist leader from office”. He says he was with Sir Mekere Morauta, Sir Arnold Amet and Kerenga Kua in Wewak for Michael Somare’s 80th birthday when Somare “requested permission from the leader of his party to allow him to put up his hand one more time”. [See Recent Comments]
DANIEL Fitton writes in the Age newspaper that PNG is a “combustible mix, yet incredibly, none of this strife appears to much worry Australia's political leaders.” On the contrary, “Australia, a wealthy champion of liberal democracy, is busily encouraging a poor nation already straining with internal troubles to buck the local law. How neighbourly.” http://www.theage.com.au/comment/neighbourly-advice-no-help-to-png-20160523-gp23eu.html#ixzz4A57dSMi1
A PETITION launched by Act Now calling on the government to cancel the special agricultural and business land leases has collected more than 1,000 signatures. The petition also asks the treasurer to launch an urgent investigation into the logging industry and its tax record. Campaign coordinator Eddie Tanago said the situation is “a nightmare”. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305142/png-government-called-to-cancel-controversial-land-deal
ROBERT Mugabe is a “selfish leader” who “sneaked to PNG”, Zimbabwe’s opposition party says. “His foreign trips never cease and it seems like he gets sick if he spends a single month in Harare.” http://nehandaradio.com/2016/05/29/mugabe-selfish-leader-mdc/#sthash.vzmiWc3m.dpuf
Sunday 29 May
'MINI-RIOT' reported to have occurred in Wabag when local police commander stopped Unitech students carrying out a peaceful awareness program on PNG’s current political crisis. Students said their constitutional right to free speech was denied. http://www.pngblogs.com/2016/05/unitech-student-awareness-activities.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook
THE PNG opposition will have another go – its fourth – at ousting the O’Neill government tomorrow. This time it says it has both the numbers and has got the technicalities right. O'Neill has been embroiled in a far-reaching corruption scandal for the past two years. An opposition spokesman says this motion meets every requirement and there should be no reason for its passage to be blocked in parliament. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305071/png-opposition-plans-another-no-confidence-motion
DR ALLAN Marat, the MP for Rabaul, says Peter O'Neill's stubbornness is adding fuel to university protests across PNG. He says O'Neill must follow the rule of law. “All these problems happening with our students,” Marat says, “the prime minister is the cause, not the students." http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/05/rabaul-mp-dr-allan-marat-lashes-out-at.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#ixzz49zGI7ow3
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has been mocked in Papua New Guinea,” says the Zim Eye website. “Before jetting into that country, Mugabe was debased by journalists there who noted in laughter that he is the only head of state flying in for a little known summit called the Caribbean and Pacific meeting.” http://www.zimeye.net/mugabe-humiliated-in-paupa-new-guinea/#sthash.n1AgrLJk.dpuf
Saturday 28 May
RADIO New Zealand International is reporting that PNG's opposition says it has the numbers to defeat the government in parliament and will file a motion of no confidence in the government on Tuesday.
SUPREME Court judge Sir Bernard Sakora, charged with judicial corruption, tells the Waigani Committal Court the case against him should be dismissed in its entirety because the prosecution did not seek the jurisdiction of the court. Sir Bernard was charged by anti-fraud police with judicial corruption last month in relation to an arrest warrant against Mr O'Neill for suspected corruption. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305073/png-judge-seeks-dismissal-of-case-against-him
“GONE are the days when only a few privileged were privy to information and through unholy alliances, one could easily manipulate the colour and content of that information to achieve a desired outcome,” writes corruption fighter Sam Koim on Facebook. “Today, no one has monopoly over information and knowledge. I see many higher up still beating up the same kundu 10 years ago.Am wondering whether it is an epitome of bourgeois hypocrisy or are they simply being outmoded by reality.”
PROTESTS against prime minister Peter O'Neill are spreading around PNG, given impetus through a national awareness campaign by university students calling for O’Neill to stand aside to face questioning over an alleged fraud case. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304996/png-protests-spread-to-the-provinces
“UNLESS we have a revolution our students efforts will be in vain,” says political analyst and outspoken commentator, Martyn Namorong. “We need a new system based on the five national goals and directive principles.” http://www.paclii.org/pg/CPCReport/Cap2.htm
Friday 27 May
WHILE Peter O’Neill has so far refused to meet protesters' demands for his resignation, he may have to stand aside over a different matter. The prime minister has been referred by the public prosecutor to a Leadership Tribunal over the controversial K3.8 billion UBS loan he took out on behalf of PNG. The referral stemmed from the Ombudsman Commission's investigation of alleged breaches of procedures over the loan. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/305010/possible-suspension-looms-for-png-pm
EFFORTS by the police fraud squad to probe a major corruption case implicating prime minister Peter O'Neill are still tied up in court. O’Neill has refused to go in for questioning over the case as he and his supporters characterise the probe as ‘corrupted’. Police secured an arrest warrant for O'Neill two years ago over his role in allegedly illegal state payments to the Paraka Lawyers law firm. The matter regarding the warrant is due to be heard in court at the end of June. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/datelinepacific/audio/201802234/png-govt-maintains-bout-against-anti-fraud-police
UPNG authorities have been delinquent in their duty of care for students as they failed to check if the 6,000 students had anywhere to go when they were given just 48 hours to quit their campus accommodation. The university’s response to the boycott issue has been confused and poorly managed and reflects very poorly on its administration. http://asiapacificreport.nz/2016/05/27/images-5000-students-at-upng-face-sudden-eviction-after-protests/
SACKED corruption buster (after getting too close to the prime minister’s interests), Sam Koim, pens a poignant tercet: “PNG -- I have been carrying you in my heart / You have been carrying me in your prayers / We are, together in this common cause.”
THE National Court blocks UPNG from evicting protesting students from its campuses and suspending the first semester. The ruling follows a legal challenge filed by the university's Student Representative Council seeking a stay of a decision ordering students to vacate the campus within 48 hours. Justice Collin Makail granted a temporary stay until next Wednesday when parties will return to court. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304925/court-blocks-upng-eviction
PANGU Pati leader Sam Basil passes the parliamentary opposition leadership to Don Polye who had stood down after the National Court set aside his 2012 election over a ballot box dispute. The opposition is showing increasing signs of cohesion and strength and was also boosted yesterday by being joined by former justice minister and Simbu leader Kerenga Kua who says, "The fabric of our democracy is under imminent threat.". http://www.looppng.com/content/basil-hands-over-position-polye#.V0bgVr6wfIg.twitter
THE current political instability has the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on edge. “After the conflict here on Bougainville we are very conscious politically and are wary of every situation concerning the region and the country’s political affairs,” says analyst Peter Nerau. “Right now our concern is the future of our children with the university suspended. We have a political journey of our own here on Bougainville and have goals and achievements to attain.” http://www.looppng.com/content/happenings-moresby-keeps-arob-edge#.V0bgEzpDhbE.twitter
Thursday 26 May
HAVING just driven 5,000 students off campus, UPNG is now seeking extra funds to reinstitute the suspended first semester. It seems Peter O’Neill had a change of heart. “"I appeal to the university to consider creating the opportunity to allow students who genuinely want to complete their studies this semester to complete their semester," he said. Quick to pounce, UPNG says this will require an additional K6 million from the government. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304900/upng-trying-to-salvage-semester
HEALTH secretary Pascoe Kase warns health workers not to join protests against prime minister Peter O’Neill. He reminds them that, as public servants, they must serve the government of the day. However the National Doctors' Association has supported the call from students, including medical students, for the O’Neill to step down. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304874/png-health-workers-warned-not-to-protest
IT’LL be like home away from home. Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe is to attend next week’s eighth Asia-Caribbean-Pacific heads of state meeting in PNG. He will be the only president amongst the 50 countries attending and his advance party is already in Port Moresby. http://www.looppng.com/content/robert-mugabe-be-part-acp-delegation-next-week
UNITECH vice chancellor Albert Schram says that, unlike UPNG, the university council has no plan to suspend the semester. Students are in Goroka, Jiwaka, Mount Hagen and Madang explaining the boycott to the public. http://linkis.com/mobile.abc.net.au/ne/lTlLo (includes audio). Seems Unitech has managed this issue with much more alacrity than UPNG
HIGHER Education minister Malakai Tabar says UPNG decision to suspend students may also affect the 2017 academic year. Announcing his department will provide tickets for students to return home he said: “That is their final ticket for the whole year and if they decide to come they will have to find their own ticket to come back.” http://news.pngfacts.com/2016/05/higher-education-office-to-provide-one.html?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed#ixzz49hriiplB
A UPNG student leader has warned that police may use force to evict protesting students. Hercules Jim said the majority of the 5,000 students lived on campus and would have nowhere to go if forced onto the streets of Port Moresby. "Police will obviously move in. But we have [so far] contained the situation without any violence without any harm and without the destruction of any property," he said. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304792/university-png-students-and-staff-feel-the-squeeze
Wednesday 25 May
FORMER opposition leader Don Polye is returning to parliament after being stood down but is not expected to resume opposition leadership. Polye was suspended after the Supreme Court ruled several ballot boxes in the 2012 general election needed to be recounted. He claims that resisting corruption and not abusing public funds had made people in government target him. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304735/png-opposition-leader-reinstated
A UPNG student leader says protesting students will not back down despite the university suspending classes and 5,000 students 48 hours to leave the campus. "It is impossible to get 5,000 students out within 48 hours without providing them tickets to travel home. How can they survive in Port Moresby?” said student leader Hercules Jim. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/304748/upng-students-'not-able-to-back-down'
COMMUNITY Development Minister Delilah Gore says “most MPs in Parliament are illiterate and don’t know the process and corrupt the system which results in public servants depleting all the funds earmarked for development purposes.” In 2014 Gore was involved in a violent and unlawful attempt to topple Oro governor, Gary Juffa. At the time it was alleged she ran up a K17,000 bill at the Grand Papua Hotel in a ‘planning meeting’ with Malaysian logging interests and local Oro cronies. http://www.looppng.com/content/illiterate-mps-contribute-corruption-gore#.V0SbL9gzGNw.twitter
THE $A3 billion merger between Oil Search and InterOil may be challenged if it fails to comply with anti-competition procedures, says the commissioner of PNG’s Independent Consumer and Competition Commission. Paulus Ain says he is concerned the parties had not come to the ICCC for regulatory approvals. His stand flies in the face of prime minister Peter O'Neill's strong endorsement of the deal http://www.oilandgasinvestor.com/papua-new-guinea-may-challenge-oil-search-interoil-22-billion-merger-849571
UNIVERSITY of Technology students have taken the fight to remove prime minister Peter O’Neill to the major towns in the Highlands and Momase provinces to educate the public on why students are boycotting classes. They are expected back on campus tomorrow to plan their next action. http://www.looppng.com/content/unitech-take-their-fight-streets#.V0Sav2laAPA.twitter
UPNG acting-chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann says the university will not refund students’ fees even though it was its decision to suspend the first semester. “Refund of school fees will not be done as this is only a suspension and not cancellation of the academic year, meaning classes will resume when the suspension is lifted,” he said. “We expect students to return to normal classes when the suspension is lifted.” http://www.looppng.com/content/upng-academic-calendar-be-reorganised#.V0Sa2c36lDQ.twitter
Tuesday 24 May
AT 3pm this afternoon, UPNG Chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann delivered the UPNG Council's decision in response to the prolonged boycotting of classes by students. It seems the university has decided to “indefinitely suspend the semester”. One observer said students reacted “with a bit of