Is there a culture of Plagiarism at the Post-Copier – eh, Courier?

Papua New Guinea’s “Number 1 Daily” – the Post-Courier – and its award-winning political reporter, Gorethy Kenneth, have found themselves in the shameful position of committing the number one cardinal sin in journalism – plagiarism.

It is a most serious offense and goes against the Media Council of Papua New Guinea’s General Code of Ethics for News and Media – which the Post-Courier subscribes to, or claims to do.

On August 9, 2012 – in their 11,000 Edition since 1969, the Post-Courier ran a story on their front page titled “O’Neill delays Cabinet line-up” and with the sub-heading “Leo Dion is deputy PM”.

In that front-page article, Gorethy Kenneth quoted The Garamut and plagiarized a line from a post I had written and published on August 8, 2012 regarding Peter O’Neill’s appointment of Leo Dion as deputy prime minister, all without attributing the quote or plagiarized line to The Garamut.

@Tavurvur No wonder. I saw that and thought I read something similar somewhere.

— Mazev 🇷🇺 (@mazev) August 9, 2012

In objection to the Post-Courier’s blatant plagiarism of my blog post, I wrote a letter to the Editor, Frank Genaia, and Editor-in-Chief of the Post-Courier, Blaise Nangoi.

I also sent a copy of the letter to Mr Peter Chegwyn – the Chairman of South Pacific Post Ltd, the company which owns the Post-Courier, and also to the author of the offending piece of journalism, Gorethy Kenneth.

I have yet to receive any response to my letter.

In addition to writing the letter, I also posted a thread on the popular PNG Facebook group Sharp Talk – which to date has generated 107 ‘Likes’ and 255 comments.

An interesting facet of posting my concerns on Sharp Talk was the general feedback received that it wasn’t the first example of plagiarism by the Post-Courier. Other people too mentioned that they had their work copied and pasted by not just the Post-Courier, but also by other media in PNG too.

One of the most concerning examples must be the Post-Courier’s inexplicable copying and pasting of an article by Australian journalist Oliver Milman, who recently wrote a piece on deep-sea mining in PNG for The Guardian on August 6, 2012.

Ironically, that article was published on the Post-Courier’s front page too – but on August 8, 2012 (Edition 10,999) – one day before bits of my blog post made their way to the Post-Courier’s cover to be distributed around the country.

It was also ‘written’ by the same journalist in question – Gorethy Kenneth.

Fellow PNG blog, Papua New Guinea Mine Watch, picked up on the fact that the Post-Courier and Gorethy Kenneth had incredulously copied large sections of Milman’s work for The Guardian and claimed it as their own original piece of journalism without an iota of recognition whatsoever.

The Post-Courier hasn't just plagiarized me. The Guardian accuses PC of copying their work too! (same reporter) http://t.co/iFQg2F9N #PNG

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) August 14, 2012

That blog post was consequently picked up by The Guardian which responded by publishing their own story shaming the Post-Courier in one of their columns on August 13, 2012, while highlighting the connection between the Post-Courier and Rupert Murdoch’s phone-hacking scandal:

“But the broom, we fear, hasn’t quite swept clean other parts of the Murdoch empire, where still there are alleged transgressions that would worry Lord Justice Leveson. One such is a big story that appeared last week on the front page of Murdoch’s Post-Courier in Papua New Guinea.”

It is one thing for the Post-Courier to be pinged for plagiarism by a blogger, and another thing altogether for the same paper to be publicly embarrassed by one of the largest newspapers in the United Kingdom.

Furthermore, two cases of plagiarism in consequent editions, by the same author and published on the front-page as the paper’s lead story of the day is beyond alarming – it’s a signal that something is not quite right with the Post-Courier.

The Post-Courier’s brazenness at copying and pasting large portions of other people’s words is truly gob-smacking; and their passing on of this work as their own without any relevant attribution or recognition is utterly disgraceful and is simply unacceptable.

At the end of the day, the buck stops with the Editors of the paper, and it appears in this instance – and without any sort of response or apparent effort expended to defend their paper’s integrity or reputation – that both Editor Frank Genaia and Editor-in-Chief Blaise Nangoi are not just accepting of the practice – but by publicly seen to be doing nothing about the issue, are passively encouraging the practice to fester.

NOTE: Read my letter to the Post-Courier here.

O’Namah becomes O’Dion – Namah set to Lead 17 Opposition MPs

As the dust settles over what has been a stampeding electoral process, PNG’s 111 MPs are slowly finding their feet in their respective positions.

While the Parliament has elected Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to lead a 94-strong government based on the principles of ‘reconciliation, unity and trust’, it has yet to decide who will be the alternative prime minister.

When the 9th Parliament resumes for its first sitting on August 21st, it is expected that former Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah and leader of the PNG Party, will be elected as Leader of the Opposition.

The core of the opposition will be made up by his PNG Party, which has 8 MPs, followed by former Attorney-General Dr Allan Marat’s Melanesian Liberal Party and fresh-faced Joseph Lelang’s brand new Coalition for Reform Party – which each brought in 2 MPs.

Rounding up the team will be one-MP parties – PANGU Pati, led by Ludwig Schulze who unseated Arthur Somare; and the PNG Constitutional Democratic Party, led by Tobias Kulung.

There are also two other MPs who have opted to do the ‘PNG Shuffle’ – and switch their allegiances from the parties which endorsed them to that of PNG Party. Governor-elect of West Sepik Province, Akmat Mai, has chosen Namah over Polye; and Member for North Bougainville, Louta Atoi, has ditched Peter O’Neill for Namah too.

Namah’s band of 17 have their work cut out. Their most experienced member is Dr Allan Marat, who is in his 3rd term and who I expect will be elected as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. This is followed by 11 others who are all in their 2nd terms – including Jim Kas who beat Sir Arnold Amet to take Madang Provincial. The remaining 5 are first-term MPs.

Despite this, Belden Namah has already signaled what sort of opposition he wants to lead. In his speech during the first session of the 9th Parliament when a prime minister was elected, Namah stated:

“I will provide a vibrant opposition with my team for this country. Let me assure the people of this country, we will fight against corruption, we will fight it without fear or favor and we will fight it because we love our country Papua New Guinea.

I wish you all the best of luck, and I look forward to a mutual working relationship between yourself as the Prime Minister and in the next couple of days when we elect the new Opposition Leader, I believe we will form very good governance in PNG.”

And I agree with Belden Namah. I think he will provide an efficacious opposition. My Twitter followers will be aware of my view in terms of this issue:

@Tavurvur Namah's been be quite effective in the last week in terms of challenging O'Neill and he's not afraid to get his hands dirty #PNG

— masalaifrog (@masalaifrog) August 3, 2012

Belden Namah’s biggest deficiency right now is that he lacks the political experience and finesse to be prime minister. His push to be prime minister was premature. Namah is a leader in his own right – there is no doubt about that. He is a passionate leader with strong opinions and has his own style.

The real challenge for Namah is to channel this passion toward the national good while following due process. In order for this to happen, Namah needs the political support around him to advise, coach and to some degree manage him if we want the best out of him for the country.

Sir Mekere Morauta tried his best when he was still with the PNG Party – but Namah needs more than one senior statesman – he needs a number of them.

And that will be a hurdle for this opposition, as Namah will be viewed upon by his colleagues as being a senior member of the band of 17. Whether Namah recognizes too that he does need political advice and direction is another issue he will need to address if he is serious about being the alternate prime minister.

Duma Gets Petroleum & Energy – Groans Heard Around the World

With Peter O’Neill revealing who his 33 Ministers are, and what portfolios they will hold over the next five years, it is only fair that we take a closer look at some of our Ministers.

The Ministerial position which has probably caused the greatest interest – after the top posts of Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister – and most certainly from an international perspective, would have to be the post of Minister for Petroleum and Energy.

My Twitter followers would have observed a constant stream of tweets leading up to the announcement of Peter O’Neill’s National Executive Council, highlighting the fact that I was being bombarded with requests as to who would fill this post.

You know the world of business is watching #PNG when you get multiple Tweets/emails asking who will be the Minister for Petroleum/Energy.

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) August 4, 2012

And naturally, the world of business entrenched in the petroleum and energy sectors, have indeed been watching with interest developments in our national politics – courtesy of PNG’s significant resource wealth.

One of the more interesting observations justifying this statement is the amount of traffic The Garamut has been receiving via online finance forums from around the world – it has been impressive.

But not all of this attention is good news.

There appears to exist a genuine concern, and maybe even apprehension from these speculators and investors, as to the possibility of William Duma regaining his portfolio – which he has since managed to do.

@Tavurvur Exactly! O'Neill looks insincere about cleaning up PNG when he brings Duma back. Duma is a thief and O'Neill knows it!

— Peter Doyle (@peter_doyle11) August 7, 2012

The Minister for Petroleum and Energy is an important position directly relevant to the future success of PNG from an economical perspective and fiscal position. It is imperative that the right person is in the job.

It is understandable that William Duma, who is leader of the United Resources Party – which managed to net 7 MPs (the third highest total for a political party in O’Neill’s coalition), was given the portfolio as a result of his contribution of MPs to O’Neill’s Government – and also because of his experience.

But we all know that where there is smoke, there is fire.

Party politics in PNG, and the continuous attention needed by the prime minister of the day to continuously exert time and energy in monitoring and managing domestic political fires, means that the country does miss out on a meritocracy-type Cabinet – where the best person for the job, gets the job.

The question Peter O’Neill should be asking himself as he kicks off his first full term in power as prime minister – is whether or not he believes William Duma is the best man to manage this portfolio – not with his own political ambition in mind – but with the national interest at the forefront.

Peter O’Neill’s 2012-2017 Cabinet

After a brief wait, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has finally revealed his 33-Member National Executive Council (NEC) – or Cabinet.

The line up is heavily dominated by O’Neill’s winning People’s National Congress which boasts 13 Ministers. This is followed by Don Polye’s THE Party which has 4; William Duma’s United Resources Party has 3.

Patrick Pruaitch’s National Alliance, Sir Julius Chan’s People’s Progress Party, and Peter Ipatas’ People’s Party all have 2 ministers each; and Our Development Party, United Party, People’s Indigenous Party, People’s Democratic Movement, and Social Democratic Party are all represented by 1 ministerial post each.

Rounding up the 33 are 2 candidates who ran as Independents in PNG Election 2012 – Hon Richard Maru and Hon Kerenga Kua.

Of the 33, only one is a woman – Hon Loujaya Toni of Lae who will most likely take over Dame Carol Kidu’s old portfolio, Community Development.

In addition, it is interesting to note that of the 33, ten are first term MPs while twelve have served three terms or more in the Haus Tambaran. The remaining eleven are all in their second term.

Geographically, 10 are from the Highlands Region; 10 are from Southern; 8 are from Momase; and 5 are from New Guinea Islands. ‘Regionalism’ has again played a part in the decision-making of O’Neill and his coalition partners.

There are six party leaders in the 33, with three others – Sir Julius Chan (PPP), Paias Wingti  (PDM) and Peter Ipatas (PP) – all opting to not push their claim for ministerial portfolios, but instead have nominated younger MPs to take their places.

Furthermore, there are two coalition partners who have totally missed out on a ministerial portfolio – both Anderson Agiru’s People’s United Assembly (PUA) and Ronny Knight’s New Generation Party, although having pulled in 3 MPs and 2 MPs respectively for O’Neill, have not received a portfolio.

In observing this, it is important to note that currently two of the three PUA MPs – Anderson Agiru and Ati Wobiro are Govenors, and the third, Member for Pomio – Paul Tiensten, will be a candidate to replace Hon Leo Dion as the new Governor of East New Britain – courtesy of Dion’s elevation to Deputy Prime Minister.

Here are the 33 – I’ve listed them very loosely in what I perceive to be the pecking order based on their experience, background and standing in their respective political parties:

1. Peter O’Neill (PNC) – 3rd Term; Ialibu-Pangia Open
   • Prime Minister
2. Leo Dion (THE) – 3rd Term; East New Britain Provincial
   • Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Intergovernmental Relations
     
3. Don Polye (THE) – 3rd Term; Kandep Open
   • Minister for Treasury
4. James Marape (PNC) – 2nd Term; Tari Open
   • Minister for Finance
5. Rimbink Pato (UP) – 1st Term; Wapenamanda Open
   • Minister for Foreign Affairs & Immigration
6. Charles Abel (PNC) – 2nd Term; Alotau Open
   • Minister for National Planning
7. Kerenga Kua (Independent) – 1st Term; Sinasina-Yongomugl Open
   • Minister for Justice & Attorney General
8. Dr Puka Temu (ODP) – 3rd Term; Abau Open
   • Minister for Public Service
9. William Duma (URP) – 3rd Term; Mt Hagen Open
   • Minister for Petroleum & Energy
10. Patrick Pruaitch (NA) – 3rd Term; Aitape-Lumi Open
    • Minister for Forestry & Climate Change
11. John Pundari (PP) – 4th Term; Kompiam-Ambum Open
    • Minister for the Environment & Conservation
12. Mao Zemming (PNC) – 4th Term; Tewai-Siassi Open
    • Minister for Fisheries & Marine Resources
      
13. Ben Micah (PPP) – 3rd Term; Kavieng Open
    • Minister for Public Enterprises & State Investment
      
14. Byron Chan (PPP) – 3rd Term; Namatanai Open
    • Minister for Mining
15. Jimmy Miringtoro (PNC) – 2nd Term; South Bougainville Open
    • Minister for Communication & Information Technology
16. Francis Awesa (PNC) – 2nd Term; Imbonggu Open
    • Minister for Works & Implementation
      
17. Ano Pala (PNC) – 2nd Term; Rigo Open
    • Minister for Transport
18. Benny Allan (PNC) – 3rd Term; Unggai-Bena Open
    • Minister for Lands & Physical Planning
19. Mark Maipaikai (THE) – 3rd Term; Kikori Open
    • Minister for Labour & Industrial Relations
20. Loujaya Toni (PIP) – 1st Term; Lae Open
    • Minister for Community Development, Religion & Family Affairs
      
21. Boka Kondra (PNC) – 2nd Term; North Fly Open
    • Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture
22. Paru Aihi (PNC) – 2nd Term; Kairuku-Hiri Open
    • Minister for Education
23. Steven Kamma (URP) – 2nd Term; Central Bougainville Open
    • Minister for Bougainville Affairs
24. David Arore (THE) – 2nd Term; Ijivitari Open
    • Minister for Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology
25. Jim Simatab (NA) – 2nd Term; Wewak Open
    • Minister for Correctional Services
26. Dr Fabian Pok (URP) – 2nd Term; North Waghi Open
    • Minister for Defense
27. Micheal Malabag (PNC) – 1st Term; Moresby North West Open
    • Minister for Health & HIV AIDs
28. Richard Maru (Independent) – 1st Term; Yangoru-Saussia Open
    • Minister for Commerce, Trade & Industry
29. Davis Stephen (PP) – 1st Term; Esa’ala Open
    • Minister for Civil Aviation
30. Nixon Duban (PNC) – 1st Term; Madang Open
    • Minister for Police
31. Tommy Tomscoll (PDM) – 2nd Term; Middle Ramu Open
    • Minister for Agriculture & Livestock
32. Paul Isikiel (PNC) – 1st Term; Markham Open
    • Minister for Housing & Urban Development
33. Justin Tkatchenko (SDP) – 1st Term; Moresby South Open
    • Minister for Sports & the Pacific Games
      

Dion Becomes Deputy Prime Minister with ‘Regionalism’ in Mind

In a surprise move which will generate a wide range of reactions across the nation, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill will announce today that his Deputy Prime Minister will be Hon Leo Dion, Governor of East New Britain Province.

It’s an interesting move – particularly because Leo Dion is a senior Member of Don Polye’s Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party, the party which returned 12 elected MPs – the second highest of any party after Peter O’Neill’s People’s National Congress.

It is precisely because of this that many were tipping Don Polye to be given the post of Deputy Prime Minister.

As leader of THE Party, it was a claim that was rightfully his. In addition to Polye’s experience and quality, it was a decision that should be quite straight forward.

However, it appears that Peter O’Neill after consultation with his coalition partners – including Don Polye, have agreed to nominate and support Leo Dion to the second highest office in the country.

Although Leo Dion is a quality choice too – he has the experience, respect and leadership qualities required – from the perspective of purely the numbers’ game which is so crucial in PNG politics, it is a rather illogical decision, and one that must have been made with a few distractions in mind – most importantly in this instance – the idea of ‘regionalism’.

Peter O'Neill will announce today that his Deputy Prime Minister will be Hon Leo Dion - Governor of East New Britain #PNG #pngpol

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) August 7, 2012

Governments in PNG have crumbled in the past because of their lack of wisdom in terms of balancing ministerial allocations and state agency and institutional appointments in line with the commanding idea of ‘regionalism – which is ingrained in every Papua New Guinean. It is an expected corner-stone of PNG politics.

It would be fair to say that Don Polye, although deserving of the post of Deputy Prime Minister, would have been very much aware of the implications of having two MPs from the Highlands Bloc occupying the top two posts in government.

This scenario would have been too easy a target for what appears will become a Belden Namah-led Opposition – and for any opposition for that matter – including the populace of the country’s other three regions.

It's a move designed to neutralize snipes from around the nation/parliament re "regionalism" - or having a PM + DPM from the Highlands #PNG

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) August 7, 2012

Despite this, the Deputy Prime Minister will still come from Don Polye’s THE Party, and Don Polye will still retain its leadership while picking up the prize Treasury and Finance Portfolio – ironically the same one he was stripped of by Peter O’Neill late last year.

Although I think this decision will be sustainable in the short-term in terms of government stability, the true test of this allocation will be when the window for votes of no confidence opens after the initial 18 months of Peter O’Neill’s government based on the principle of “reconciliation, unity and trust” is over.

Most importantly here too will be how Don Polye’s electorate of Kandep reacts to the decision now – and also over the next five years. They, out of all Papua New Guineans, would feel the most slighted after this decision as it would very much be their view that their man should have been Prime Minister by now – and most certainly, Deputy Prime Minister in 2012.

New Speaker Signal of Trust in O’Neill’s Coalition

Papua New Guinea has elected our Prime Minister of the 9th Parliament. Peter O’Neill returns to the Prime Minister’s post, in the most legitimate manner a prime minister can be chosen, and assumes the country’s top post exactly one year on from when he first replaced Sir Michael Somare via a parliamentary coup.

In doing so, Peter O’Neill remains the 7th Prime Minister elected by the Parliament in an official capacity, and simultaneously demonstrates that he is control of PNG with an impressive win of the parliamentary votes available – 94 in favor and 12 against.

But it wasn’t just O’Neill’s overwhelming win which took center stage yesterday. One of the more interesting developments was the election of the Speaker – the Member for Finschhafen, Hon. Theo Zurenuoc.

My followers on Twitter would know that I was tipping the Member for Unggai-Bena, Hon. Benny Allan, to be put forth as O’Neill’s choice for the role of Speaker.

I'm tipping the Member for Unggai-Bena, Benny Allan, to be nominated for Speaker tomorrow by O'Neill #PNG #pngpol

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) August 2, 2012

Benny Allan ticked all the boxes, and out of all of O’Neill’s men, he suited it best:

He’s a strong and independent leader. He had the experience – he’s entering parliament for his third term. He holds a relatively safe seat – which would make the task of Speaker easier to bear. He’s from the Highlands Bloc. He also wasn’t a Minister in O’Neill’s previous Cabinet, so there were no commitments or ‘unfinished business’ holding him back.

And most importantly, he’s a People’s National Congress’ man (following a defection from William Duma’s party for the election) which would have worked out well for O’Neill’s coalition without conceding too much ground to PNC’s partners in what can be a volatile environment.

But that’s exactly what happened – Peter O’Neill conceded ground to one of his coalition partners – Sir Julius Chan’s People’s Progress Party, via quite the unusual move of nominating Theo Zurenuoc as his choice for Speaker.

Although an unusual move, it’s also a move that signifies just maybe how the new government may operate. And if this is the case, then the signs are good.

@Tavurvur its a good sign for stability. DPM should now go to Polye.

— opaconsulting (@opaconsulting) August 3, 2012

My view was further validated by the PNC-endorsed Member for Moresby North-East and first time MP, Hon Micheal Malabag, who posted on his Facebook wall today:

“Finally it is over n PNG has a new Government under the leadership of Peter O’Neil.

Many people may not like this coalition arrangement but time will tell as this new Govt sets about its business of managing this Country.

Based on trust PNC Party did not push for the speaker’s position but I am sure the new speaker will restore the decorum of Parliament n protect our Democratic Institutions.”

Theo Zurenuoc comes from an established family of political and public service leaders. Although he may lack the experience, he has the leadership qualities required to aptly fill the function and duties of the Office of the Speaker of the National Parliament.

Although his election was indeed a surprise, it is a good sign for the future of Peter O’Neill’s coalition. Hopefully, PNC’s trust is repaid in full over the next five years by People’s Progress Party,  so our people will enjoy a government which we deserve.

Sir Salamo Injia to Chair Parliament’s First Business

The surprises keep coming as our 9th Parliament prepares itself to meet for the first time this Friday.

Last Friday, upon issuing the notice in the National Gazette, the Governor-General signaled that it was more likely than not that the Parliament would sit without a full house.

Although allowable under PNG’s Constitution, this situation has raised some understandable doubts in the mind of the public and also contesting candidates as to the reasons why parliament will sit without all Members being present. Furthermore, PNG Party leader Belden Namah has since registered a legal challenge to stop parliament meeting tomorrow.

In another surprise move, care-taker Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has also requested via Governor General Sir Michael Ogio, that Chief Justice Sir Injia Salamo preside over the inaugural session of the 9th Parliament – up until the election of a Speaker.

Standing Orders of the National Parliament dictate that the Clerk of the National Parliament, or in his absence the Deputy Clerk and then the First Clerk Assistant, are to perform the duties of the Office of the Clerk – which includes Chairing the first session of a new parliament – until Members have voted a Speaker.

Peter O'Neill has effectively asked CJ Sir Injia Salamo, the man he helped arrest, to now step into Parliament's sanctuary. Incredible #PNG

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) July 30, 2012

It’s an interesting move which has a number of implications.

Firstly, it appears that Peter O’Neill has offered an olive branch to Sir Injia Salmo in terms of the Executive and Judiciary dispute which dominated much of national politics earlier this year – which climaxed with the retraction of the Judicial Conduct Act 2012 – but still ended with the Chief Justice being arrested by Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah.

Secondly, Sir Injia Salamo has also appears to have approved the roundabout suggestion for peace by accepting the request to Chair the Parliament’s first matters of business – including the declarations of loyalty and the election of a Speaker – until a Speaker sworn in.

Although this is a positive sign for future relations between what looks likely to be a Peter O’Neill mandated Executive and the Sir Salamo Injia led Judiciary – it does beg the question of confidence in the Office of the Clerk of the National Parliament, and the powers, functions and duties that Office holds.

Thirdly, will the inclusion of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia have any effect on the discussion and outcome of the 9th Parliament’s first items of business in its first session?

https://twitter.com/fkoddy/status/230824602278973440

With Belden Namah still adamant that PNG Party has a chance to form government, or at least make a prime minister, the development from today up until the Parliament sits tomorrow at 10am will be crucially important to how our government will look like come the election of PNG’s next Prime Minister.

PNG’s 9th Parliament to sit without Full Elected House

On Friday 27th July, on advice from caretaker Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Speaker’s Office, Government House issued Notice G275 in the National Gazette advising that PNG’s 9th Parliament will sit for the first time this Friday, 3 August at 10am.

It is a requirement under PNG’s Constitution that the Parliament must meet not more than 7 days after the day fixed for the return of the writs for a general election.

The 9th Parliament’s first item of business will be the tabling of the writs in parliament whereby each elected Member shall make the Declaration of Office and Declarations of Loyalty as prescribed by the Constitution.

After this, the Parliament’s next formal item of business is to elect one of its Members to be the Speaker. Once this is achieved, whether by secret ballot (if there is more than one nomination) or not, the Parliament is then temporarily suspended while the Speaker is presented to and sworn in by the Governor-General.

Once this has been completed, the Speaker will return to the Haus Tambaran whereby the Parliament will proceed to elect a Prime Minister, or be adjourned (for up to three sitting days), before a motion for the election of a Prime Minister must be moved.

Although this sounds quite straight forward, it is very likely that the election of the Speaker and the election of a Prime Minister will go ahead without the participation of the country’s full 111 House of Representatives.

https://twitter.com/IOlewale/status/230213346836766721

It is very likely that a handful of Members representing the provincial seats of Western Highlands, Enga and NCD – and maybe even the Lagaip-Porgera Open seat, will all miss out on the first session of the 9th Parliament.

This unpleasant situation is a direct result of what has become the most drawn-out election in PNG history – with the date of the return of the writs already extended once (now due on Wednesday, 1 August) – and following in the style of the pre-election shenanigans surrounding the adjustments of the dates concerned with the issuing of the writs and those defining the traditional campaigning period.

Ironically, it is precisely because of the official extension of the date of the return of the writs – from Friday, July 27th to Wednesday, August 1st – that the Parliament will be able to sit without a full house.

Under Schedule 1.2 of the Constitution, the phrase “the day fixed for the return of the writs for a general election” is defined as meaning:

“(a) in the case of a general election where there is no extension of the time for the return of any writ or the time for the return of all writs is extended—the day by which the writs are to be returned; and,

(b) in any other case—the day by which the majority of the writs are to be returned.”

With 104 Members of Parliament declared, and only 7 to go, there is a clear majority in terms of the quantity of the writs to be returned before the Parliament sits on Friday, 3 August.

To accommodate this discrepancy, PNG Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen has officially extended the deadline for counting of votes by one week to Wednesday, August 8 – although the date of the return of the writs remains the same.

However, this constipated start to the new parliament has already raised the ire of those parties affected, and it is beginning to cast shadows upon PNG’s much needed luminous start to a new term of government, with the possibility of legal action halting parliament’s sitting already being mooted.

John Kerenga Gugl, Chairman and spokesman of the group dubbed the ‘Eastern Block Alliance’ or ‘Camp 3’ – which is trying to offer an alternative government to that of Peter O’Neill’s Alotau Camp and Belden Namah’s Kokopo Camp, has come out strong against the Governor-General’s decision:

“What about those mandated leaders who will be declared later after the formation of that government on Friday?

What is their position? What are they gonna do? They are not a second class citizen of this country. They are equal, they are the members.

We should respect these people. Why are they rushing? This is a constitutional crisis and it is not acceptable.”

This is not the ideal start to the 9th Parliament which Papua New Guineans were hoping for.

After the events of the past 12 months branded by the political dispute between Somare and O’Neill/Namah, which appears to be two-thirds resolved, the last thing PNG needs is ongoing uncertainty and the perception that instability still exists in the Parliament.

The source of this new uncertainty is not from its usual suspects though – the fault clearly lies with the over-extended period of time PNG Election 2012 has limped through. What is certain though is that the PNGEC will not amplify this uncertainty, that honor belongs to the usual suspects.

Allan Bird on his Campaign Expenditure in PNG Election 2012

With a record number 3435 candidates having nominated to contest the 2012 National Election for 111 seats, one wonders just how much money in terms of campaign expenditure has been spent by these candidates on their election campaigns.

Already, some losing candidates have gone public regarding the amount they acquitted on their election campaigns, the most recent being Paul Kurai who placed third in Wabag Open.

Kurai announced yesterday that he had spent K500,000 (AU$227,000) on his election campaign – an investment based on the request of his people to stand for election.

Allan Bird, who placed second after Sir Michael Somare in East Sepik Provincial, has also publicly commented on details surrounding his campaign budget, financial donations and expenditure.

In a comment on PNG Blogs, which has gone relatively unnoticed, Bird revealed the following:

“During the past 5 weeks I have noticed sitting MPs in particular and some candidates from the ruling parties hand out cash in villages.

In two instances, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the voters accepted the money and the alcohol but will vote for somebody else. I wait to see the voting results from those villages to confirm what they told me.

If they do what they say, I will be very pleased indeed to see the lack of influence money will have on the elections in East Sepik. The only thing that bothers me is this; if the people will accept money and vote for someone else, will the polling officials and the security forces also do the same?

I have spent about K230,000 on this election so far and am planning to spend another K20,000 on my scrutineers over the next 3 weeks (food & allowances). Funnily enough, if the campaign had gone on for more than 5 weeks, I do not think I would have afforded to do this.

My original budget was actually K200,000. I was able to save this money from my consulting work and commit it to the elections. My best friends contributed the balance.

I received no funding from my political party and did not expect any.

Some of my friends contesting in other seats have already spent millions of kina from what they have been telling me by phone. It has become a race because when the other candidate starts to spend money, you are expected to do the same.

I decided to buck the trend.

If I do get elected, it will not be because of how much money I have expended and it will be because money has not influenced our people in this part of the country. It will be because the people of East Sepik have decided that it is time to change.”

It is encouraging to see candidates like Allan Bird talk frankly about their campaign expenditure. This is an area of PNG politics which has for too long been shrouded in secrecy and is rarely opened up for the public to see.

Although there are rules prescribed by the Organic Law on Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates around campaign financing, political donations and accountability in terms of financial returns and reports, these areas are not policed well enough for candidates and political parties to respect their shepherding in the first instance.

Money and politics are not exclusive to PNG. Politics everywhere is dependent on money to some degree, but in PNG our challenge is to ensure that a playing level field is adhered to by all candidates, and that the usage of public money and government machinery is not hijacked by sitting MPs to the disadvantage of challengers.

Public transparency of funds committed to and expended in elections would be a positive start in helping the public better understand the dynamics of electoral campaigns – for the issue isn’t really to do with money being used, but how money is being used.

The Grass-root’s Candidate: Will “10 Kilo” be the next EHP Governor?

There’s a grass-root’s revolution happening in Eastern Highlands Province.

Burned by what appears to be a frustration with the educated and elite of the province, and the leadership these men have provided to the province over the years, the people of Eastern Highlands have rallied behind one of their very own – Moses Namagileso – famously and better known as simply, “10 Kilo”.

Moses Namagileso is proving to be a polarizing yet popular figure amongst Eastern Highlanders, with his detractors arguing that EHP needs somebody educated and articulate to represent the people, while he’s supporters highlight the fact that it’s time to try someone different and truly representative of the people  – and maybe “10 Kilo” is the answer.

Taking his nick-name from a 10 Kilogram bag of rice, an empty packet of which hangs around his neck in his election poster, “10 Kilo” is doing incredibly well in the race to be the next Governor of Eastern Highlands Province.

Currently, he sits third behind businessman Samuel Si-I and former governor Peti Lafanama – and just in front of Julie Soso, another woman who has a good chance of being elected to our 9th Parliament.

These top four candidates are only separated by 6,000 votes, a very small margin in a provincial seat the size of EHP and under LPV – a margin which can easily be reduced when second and third preference votes come into play.

My Twitter followers would know that I believe the Eastern Highlands Provincial seat to be the hardest seat to win in PNG Election 2012.

@SupportJonYogiy I think EHP Regional is probably the most difficult electoral race in #PNG Election 2012. I can't call who will win it #PNG

— Deni ToKunai (@Tavurvur) July 13, 2012

This is primarily due to the significant number of quality candidates who are standing for the seat – including those leading the race, sitting Member and two term Governor Malcolm “Kela” Smith, and fellow prominent candidates like Malaysian-Chinese Rugby League franchise owner Simon Sia, Kiap Sir Barry Holloway, former top banker Noreo Beangke, and businessmen Phillip Stagg and Jon Yogiyo.

Giving this long list of millionaire businessmen and educated Eastern Highlanders a run for their money is “10 Kilo” – the undisputed underdog. His performance so far has been inspiring.

Maybe the people of Eastern Highlands will heed Moses Namagileso’s advice and traim mangi lo peles (try a young man from the village) – endorsed by the “simple people”.