The Deputy Prime Minister, Belden Namah, in typical  knee-jerk fashion common to PNG politicians, released a media statement on this issue, only after it was brought to the attention of the people via the front page story of The National (6/01/12).

But Mr Namah’s official statement on this incident has left me with more questions than answers.

For instance…

1. Why has Mr Namah been silent on this matter until it had surfaced on the papers for him to come out?
2. What was the purpose of this power meeting over in Malaysia that required 3 senior MPs to travel there?
3. Why was the police minister part of this troupe? Was it to go over the “security detail” for the oil palm plantations like how Rumbinan Hijau (RH) pays for members of the Royal Police Constabulary to beat the hell out of fellow Papua New Guineans?
4. Why were those “oil palm investors” flown here on the Falcon jet? Seems reminiscent of the Somare regime.
   – The idea of flying “investors” to and from PNG with the Falcon is becoming rather too ‘crowded’, don’t you think? Should PNG start getting ready to fork out more for a bigger jet soon if we are going to consider all the investors lining up for a free flight at tax payers’ expense?
5.  Would the oil palm investors from Malaysia be related to RH in any way?
   – Hang on. If that were the case, I doubt it would be brought to light by The National newspaper.
   – Which then begs the question as to who the Indonesian journalist is and which media outlet he/she is attached with? (This is something for The National newspaper to reply to).
   – Would it be a competitor of RH then? Questions, questions and more questions…. let’s move on.
6. In his statement, Mr Namah further asks us to ponder on the possible outcome of such an event if it happened to countries like “… Australia, New Zealand, America or China for that matter and it was carrying their Deputy Prime Ministers or the Vice Presidents…”
   – Well for starters, would they have waited 1 month until after a newspaper report to cry foul?
   – Perhaps we would better understand how they (“Australia, New Zealand, America or China“) would react if they were faced with such a crisis situation by first finding the answers to the first three points above.
7. Namah goes on further to ask us to “Imagine carrying such a large amount of money on the small Falcon Jet”
   – Well I have never held a million in my hands to help me to “imagine” US$250 million. In any case, one could have just as easily have US$250m in bonds, I’m sure.
   – But then again, I’ll have to tag this point under the #JustSaying category. I may be accused here of speculating but I am only working on the premise of his “OK” to speculate on this incident by the line “I leave that for you to conclude.” (B.Namah).
   – And of course. I’m testing the waters of freedom of expression here to see if it can stay its course and hold ground.

“Finally, it is in this kind of test that the nations must stand united forgetting their differences and upholding their pledge to their motherland. Papua New Guineans MUST now learn to be NATIONALISTIC AND PATRIOTIC. WE MUST PROTECT OUR SOVEREINGNITY. [sic]” – Belden Namah

Another December day lies painted beneath tainted skies,
As he sits perched behind burials of precious tries.
Here where young minds with aged gaits loiter and linger.
Here of climes that see one ciggy tarry on many fingers –
Burnt yellowed, like quartered buai that abounds,
Here see balls of vivid dreams travel in silvered rounds
under the jingle of a Kina and curt handshakes.
Dazed and glazed, yet an intense gaze to remedy the shakes.

Here where men of today and the morrow wrestle
As a synthetic pigskin sees heat of battle,
Here where mud, silt, shit and gore knead a dirty dough.
Reckless and endless till skeletal fences; show no dough.
Where rustic refuse of bygone grandeur remain in a Toyota Crown chassis.
Simile of resplendent days from whence this spit is its basis.
Here to the legendary servitude of Kone Tigers Oval,
Hear the Same ol’, same ol’, nothing really novel.

A lull settles with the drawn out toke on the whistle,
Letting to surface the lisped hisses of savanna thistles,
As Akon stabs the cool breeze with yesterday’s pop
From speakers which sound more like a flop,
Spiking the air with fast love and a girl named Candy,
Drowning out Tom Lari and Ambai Sandy.
An ostentatious voice stabs Akon in turn
and visions of bubblegum wither and burn.

As Enga-laced, trynabbe Aussie speak rumble out,
in plastic vowels, like irritants on his fucking gout.
The assault continues under orders from conceit.
Thoughts under oath from Keats beat a retreat
as freestyle fancies a chance in this trance,
With free-fall and shit-talkin’ taking this dance.
The spirited breeze in the cool of the day wears thin,
Becoming oppressively languid until it is but a din.

Corniness pervades the air further at 5 O’clock.
Enter Michael Learns to Rock.
Hell No!
Fuck No!
Fuck this gay shit!
‘S’time to beat it.
I’m scribbling outta here.
Like this roller-coaster year.

Twothousandandfuckingelevenbaby!

Exeunt 2011!

PS: Thanks for the extra PM. Now the world cannot resist #PNG…or somethin… Be seeing y’all 2012…

Exeunt dreamzmedia!

• Appropriately penned at “2pm”, 29/12/2011

This does sound interesting. Can O’Neil and company shed some light on this matter? It is a reasonable call since the O’Neil-Namah government has made it a point to “fight and weed out corruption”.

It goes without saying that in our bid to uphold the law, we must weigh ourselves on the same scales. In order to be taken seriously, it is important that this government must not only be SEEN to be fair, just and impartial, but their conduct and orders must reflect their own words.

However, if O’Neil decides to instead stoop down to petty politics with such low pussy blows like this then it will leave no doubt in people’s mind that O’Neil is no different to Somare at all.

But then again I suppose I’m only trying to beat out blood from a rock.

PS:
I wouldn’t mind O’Neil giving Rumbinan Hijau their deportation orders though.

Speaking of which, I saw Somare having lunch with Syd Yates (Kina Securities CEO) not long ago. Would  O’Neil & Co give Syd Yates a deportation order like they did Osbourne because they had lunch together? So what are we telling foreign investors in PNG? Should other expatriates who may have had dealings with Somare in the past be on their guard now?

Skelim pastaim na wokim, Pita. Maski harem toktok blo ol toi arere man nambaut na bihainim ol. Wokim lo stail blo ol Pikinini Man. 

…

The Supreme Court today, in a decision that surprised no one, have given the mining industry carte blanche to do what they like in PNG. Dig where you like, use whatever chemicals you like, dump as much as you want anywhere – it’s yours boys. That in essence is what the court decision is saying as they have allowed the Chinese government owned Ramu Nickel Mine to begin dumping in the waters of Madang.

In a 2-1 decision with Justice Davani dissenting with her two male colleagues Justices Hartshorn and Sawong came down on the side on social and environmental destruction. No surprise from Hartshorn – a former employee of the mining industry and is very proud of it. Sawong perhaps the most knowledgeable of the law of all the judges however should really be ashamed. To say the landowners didn’t prove nuisance is ridiculous. In a 64 page decison by Judge Cannings in the National Court 60 pages supported the landowners case. Cannings laid it all out in an obvious attempt to allow the Supreme Court to the make judgement. And they have.

And so there you have it. The Supreme Court gives the miners PNG and the people and environment suffer. As to future generations – who cares? In less that[sic] a week the PNG government gives OTML an award as good corporate citizens after having caused one of the worst environmental disasters on the planet – and having learned nothing from this or not really caring Sawong sides with Hartshorn – and says take the country boys.

And so what is left to do? Well Mr. O’Neill and Mr. Namah there is one thing you can do. What about it? You two know where the judicial system is at. After all the drama the last two weeks – let’s see the Parliament flex its authority.

source: Bismarck Ramu Group

The Constitutional amendment to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill was passed this afternoon in parliament with a majority vote of 73 to nil.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neil when presenting the bill for its first vote in Parliament this afternoon says the Bill allows for the establishment of the Sovereign Wealth Fund where monies from the resource boom in Papua New Guinea will be managed prudently with best practices, whether it be on shore or off-shore.

Prime Minister O’Neil says the Sovereign Wealth Fund will constitute a Stabilization fund as well as an Infrastructure fund.

The amendment see the future generation fund disposed off, as previously brought forward by the Somare-Abal regime when they were in Government.

Mr. O’Neil says this fund will ensure deposits and withdrawals are in line with laws of the country and are transparent, where an independent board will be set up to oversee the fund.

The vote today saw three members from the Somare regime member for Nipa-Kutubu Philemon Embel, Member for Kabum Bob Dadae and Member for Kerowagi Guma Wau turn up to vote in favor of the Bill as well.

The amendment and voting today was necessary as required by Constitution to see that it becomes operational.

…ero

Meanwhile the Women’s Reserve Seat Bill again failed to muster the numbers required for it to be passed. 

These are the facts and verified, you can confirm with relevant authorities and churches. Please repost. This information is important for national safety.

… 1) police action to secure strategic sites was done by police themselves to preserve law and order, and not at behest of either side. Police are united and focusing on maintaining law and order in Port Moresby, whilst waiting for politicians to get their act together.
…
2) Police action to disband the Armed Robbery Unit this morning was done peacefully – command made a request to the ARU personnel to turn in their arms and vehicle, which they did voluntarily.

3) Army remains confined to barracks and will not move out into the street. They appear cognizant of their role, and that they can only be called out by instrument signed by GG and to support police in response to breakdown in public order. Those conditions do not yet exist.

Credit needs to be given to the command of both police and army in terms of how they have managed their responses to this issue and maintained the interests of the nation at the forefront of their decision making.

I note comments from many people about what responses the public should take to deal with this political crisis. Please be comforted that there are many people, outside the two political groups, who are working behind the scenes to resolve this mess in a manner that maintains our rule of law and preserves the institutions of government and democracy that our enshrined in our constitution.

When there is a requirement for the public to make some public action, you will hear through public and social media including facebook. Please carry on your lives and daily activities as normal as possible, and respect the police in the actions they take to preserve order.

AS

Also Marat and Amet will be meeting to secure a way forward peacefully, so please support them.

Do not put much relevance in media reports as their reports seem to be only worsening the situation. They are not getting their facts right. At some point, the news editors must get behind the leaders who want to talk and the churches and forge away forward.

…

“At exactly 9:17 pm tonight Hon. Peter O’Neill and contingent walked straight up to Fred Yakasa and his fully armed men and kindly asked them to step aside. Fred Yakasa was adamant in not allowing them however, a little push from the back with people asking Fred Yakasa and his men to step aside; “oi step aside PM ya” I was standing with a Post Courier camera man and a female reporter where I recognized the armed robbery police vehicles (Fred Yakasa’s unit)
I then cautioned the two media personnel to step back. The push from the back of the pack had a momentous effect on the PM eventually persuading Fred Yakasa to step aside and the Hon. Peter O’Neill walked straight up to Government house.
Immediately followed disgruntled police men I suppose, those supporting Fred Yakasa started shouting, “we are here to defend the constitution and you don’t respect it then yumi lusim na go….gun shots followed suit and everyone of us not in police uniform scrambled for cover….Whilst gun shots were fired Hon.Peter O’Neill was well on his way up to government house…the entire ordeal ended about 9:35 pm when the first of the armed robbery vehicles drove out followed by others…”

This does not look good at all.

Some have hailed it as a step in the right direction. However, senior lawyer and statesman, Peter Donigi has come out to the media (‘Focus’, The National  29/11/11) in opposition to this proposition. Key among his points is the fact that the establishment of a SWF has gone ahead without much public debate on the matter.

A soft copy of his statement was not available for publishing on this site so a scanned copy of his statement has been made available here instead. You can also download the PDF of the same here.

Since I have all your attention, I thought I will use this opportunity to share with you all my experiences on my special day.

On the 28th Nov. we took the highway to the north of Dunedin to a little Maori community called Karitane, and spent the night at the Marae (Community hall). At the Marae, we were welcomed by the community and exchanged breaths (Hongi).

It was an experience to meet an indigenous community so proud of their culture, but who had experienced challenges to their culture for hundreds of years. But they are a proud people, proud of their culture, proud of reviving what is left.

This brought to my mind that we are losing our culture and losing it fast too. We should be proud of who we [sic]. We must take pride in our language – teach it to our children. We must uphold our culture because it defines who we are. We are unique and we must embrace that. If we do not, we can become people without identity in the near future.

When we left – presents were shared all around , tears were shed all around, and I felt like I had been there for more than the one night we spent at the Marae. We were also honored by their chief who gave a bottle of water taken from their sacred springs from their highest and sacred mountain. I am thankful for having had the experience. It was a spiritual experience for me that I want to share in [sic].

Thank you for reading.

by Tanya Zeriga-Alon