Gonol’s cringe-inducing policy statement

This letter serves as a reader’s feedback on a full page advertorial which appeared on page 56 of The National on Monday, 18 June 2012, by Mr ‘Lawyer’ David Gonol.

With all due respect to Mr Gonol, I must say that write up alone has left me questioning his viability as a potential Governor of Western Highlands Province; or as he so arrogantly puts it, “the Governor in waiting”.

Given his profession and the office that he is running for, I expected an article that was intellectually scrupulous as well as grammatically refined. For a ‘policy statement’ – if it can be titled as such at all – it failed on both these fronts and instead, left me cringing right from the opening line all the way to the part where “The plant and animal kingdoms [sic] of Tambul/Nebilyer, Mul/Baiyer, Dei Council and Hagen Central” decided to join the party.

If Mr Gonol is reading this, then I suggest he fire his publicist for doing him the disservice of dressing him in a court jester’s garb with this sad case of a media release. After that he can go ahead and fire himself for even sanctioning such a write up to see the light of day in the first place.

This has certainly raised the bar of corny drivel to the next level and has debased our collective intelligence, allowing them to further condescend to us.

Grow up already, PNG.

Danny Gonnol’s scanned media release. (Click to enlarge).

The never ending story of Post Courier’s stuff ups

David Williams highlights yet another stuff up at Post Courier

David Williams comments come in light of this news piece from Post Courier, a subsidiary of Rupert Murdoch’s NewsCorp.

How much further can we continue to get such sub-standard news service from Papua New Guinea’s oldest and at one time, one of the most respected newspaper in the country.

I cannot go for the competition either because  The National  is owned by Rumbinan Hijau, that Malaysian logging giant that continues to rape and pillage Papua New Guinea.  As a result, the only reliable source of news source for me is the RADIO and INTERNET.

Its time Post Courier get its act together.

*Transcript of David William’s comments

“Can someone please explain to the morons at the Post Courier that the “Republic of Korea” is NOT North Korea … colloquially it is referred to as SOUTH KOREA!!
What we know as ‘North Korea” is offically the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) …
I am sure that Whie-jin Lee, the SOUTH Korean representative must be deeply embarrassed to see his country miss-named in today’s Guria …
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20120207/news12.htm ” ~ David Williams.

Graham Osbourne’s deportation order smells junk funny like that KMC joint at Sea Park #PNG

“I am currently on a break out of PNG however I received disturbing news this afternoon that Mr Graham Osbourne of Ela Beach Hotel fame has been given deportation orders. Osbourne manages the restaurant within the Hotel which is owned by Steamships as part of the Coral Seas Chain of Hotels in PNG. Although the Somare Camp used the facilities Why on earth should Graham cope the brunt of this Govt’s vindictive attitude towards people close to the Somare family. Graham is a well liked person n has given his life to PNG n to be suddenly told he is no longer wanted in this Country sends out wrong signals to the foreign community..I am simply disgusted. “
~ Michael Malabag
President of PNG Trade Union Congress & Public Employees Association

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. 

…

Supreme Court To Miners : Here #PNG is Yours

by Bismarck Ramu Group

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

A note on the current situation in #PNG

This is a note posted by Jaive Smare on the current political standoff in PNG.

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.

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PNG’s National Repentance Day: reflections of an absurdity

A national day of repentance has to be one of the most ludicrous excuses for a public holiday ever thought up. It is an unnecessary waste of time and is yet another excuse for a country with a largely lazy urban population to become even lazier, directly hindering this nation’s productivity.

Whether Biblically speaking or even in a general context, the notion of repentance in a person comes from deep within. Even though influencing factors may be largely external, the conviction that drives a person to alter their lifestyle, change their habit or even to take on a completely new persona stems from deep within the recesses of their conscience through a change of their mindset.

True repentance is a deeply personal matter that will in no way be achieved through any means of coercion or compulsion, much less through the establishment of a public holiday. In fact having this public holiday is a clear case of that popular adage of taking a horse to the river but never getting it to drink.

There were no horses last weekend but I can assure you there were a lot more people consuming an insanely copious amount of that amber ale at every tucker box or trade store that happened to be selling it. This is a clear indication of the fact that having this day set aside as a public holiday in essence has robbed it of its significance.

If anything, Repentance Day screams of nothing but religious pomposity. It has all the hallmarks of the workings of what can be compared to that of the Pharisees. A vainglorious attempt by parliamentarians to make them feel good in the eyes of the largely Christian populace; perhaps to get the rest of the Papua New Guineans to share in the guilt of missing one too many parliamentary sittings.

What is befuddling to any sane person out there is that Papua New Guinea already has a National Prayer Day which can be put to the same purpose as this so-called Repentance Day without the need for a public holiday. Why can’t we work from there on?

In fact Papua New Guinea already has 4 days of Easter, a day in Christmas in remembrance of the birth of our Lord and of course, New Year’s day, a day widely associated with new resolutions. Throw in 51 Sundays and another 52 Saturdays (Sabbaths) and we arrive at the magic number of 109 days.

That is 109 holidays in any given calendar year for Papua New Guineans to repent and turn over a new leaf with enough to go around for seconds and thirds.  Much like the Parliament has 109 reasons to repent from playing marbles with people’s lives and to stop selling our country short.  Just as much as they need to repent from missing large chunks of parliamentary sittings and to actually stand up on the floor of parliament to carry out sound intellectual debates on pressing issues facing this sovereign nation.  To repent from unnecessary spending that would benefit only a few to actually putting money into where it is most needed so that our people from the urban to the most far-flung rural communities have access to basic services.

That is the type of repentance that Papua New Guinea is yearning for. Not another excuse for a holiday.

A National Monument is lost to Corruption

The old House of Assembly is an iconic monument in the history of Papua New Guinea. It was there during the formative years of this nation. From the period of Self-government up to Independence from Australia in 1975. It saw history as it was being made.

Over the years this iconic building sadly fell into disrepair, but its worth was not lost. As a result, at often times concerns were raised to restore this historical building but nothing had come of it.

Nothing until today.

The article re-printed below appeared in yesterday’s The National. It was then I realized that our government and the bureaucracy had finally LOST IT.

This new development clearly shows us that the people entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard this country, its principles and our unique history and culture HAVE NO HEART  at all for this beautiful country. They enter into shady deals like this to sell off what is rightfully the people’s in order to satisfy their own greed and lust.

The same can be said about other sectors of government where little to no regard is given to what TRULY matters to the people.

Without further ado, read on for yourself and do please note the texts in BOLD. Those are for your critical consideration and opinion.

House of Assembly sold

Source: The National, Monday, April 18, 2011
By Junior Ukaha

THE first House of Assembly in downtown Port Moresby is to be turned into a hotel.

The state sold the site to the Lamana Development Group which plans to turn the historical building into a modern hotel.

The one-time seat-of-power is located in downtown Port Moresby, next to the AON Building on McGregor Street.

How the land was obtained and why this iconic building was sold to the developer is not known but contractors began demolition work last week.

The old House of Assembly about to be fenced in

David Western Constructions Ltd managing director David Kini said they were contracted by Lamana Development Group, the new owner of the area, to clear up the place. He said his company had been hired to demolish the old House of Assembly and build a replica of the building that would serve as a hotel.

“We have been instructed by our client to demolish the old building and build a replica of it,” Kini said.

The National visited the site last Friday and saw workmen erecting a fence around the property to stop public access.

It is understood that the national government, through the National Museum and Arts Gallery (NMAG), was owner of the land before its acquisition by the Lamana Development Group.

Nine families who lived in the area were paid K200,000 by the developer and told to move out to make way for construction work to begin.

John Sine, from Chimbu, who has lived in the area for the past 35 years, thought it was a joke when he first saw the contractors.

“It looks like the government does not care about the cultural and historical significance of this place,” he said.
“I will not be surprised if the government and other selfish politicians and people in authority sell the country to foreigners in their greed to acquire more money and wealth.”

The state and concerned parties did attempt to restore the old parliament as a national heritage and former governor-general Sir Paulias Matane headed a committee which attempted to raise funds to restore the building. Money was committed by government but it is uncertain where these funds might be.

The building was formerly a “whites only” hospital in the 1950s and was turned into a House of Assembly in 1961 when at the insistence of the UN and Australia decided to prepare the former territories of Papua and New Guinea for self-governing status.

Attempts to get comments from NMAG and the Lands Department were unsuccessful.

By all means, you can yell out FUCK YOU to the BLOODY SYSTEM and the powers that be that drive it.

~ero~