rait man's blog

West Papua supporters say Indonesia dividing MSG

Submitted by rait man on Mon, 20/01/2014 - 09:17

From the Solomon Star

The chairperson of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association believes Indonesia is trying to divide members of the Melanesian Spearhead Group and weaken their stance on West Papua.

The Vanuatu government decided to boycott a foreign ministers delegation to Indonesia this week because the itinerary did not include any meetings with groups concerned about alleged human rights abuses in West Papua. 

Vanuatu defends boycott of MSG delegation to Indonesia's Papua province

Submitted by rait man on Sat, 18/01/2014 - 11:41

From Radio Australia / PACNEWS

Vanuatu has defended a boycott of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) foreign minister's mission to Indonesia.

The joint delegation was agreed to at last year's MSG leader's summit in New Caledonia, with the purpose of the meeting being to examine the status of the province of Papua, a mainly Melanesian and Christian part of Indonesia comprising the western half of the island of New Guinea.

Arrest of activists overshadows MSG leaders’ Jakarta visit

Submitted by rait man on Thu, 16/01/2014 - 14:42

From Jakarta Post

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is set to receive foreign ministers from Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) member nations at the State Palace on Wednesday, in a move seen by many as part of the government’s attempt to woo the group, which has often voiced concerns over alleged human rights abuses in Papua.

Read the Finance Inquiry Commission of Inquiry report

Submitted by rait man on Sat, 11/01/2014 - 12:27

Last month the courts finally lifted an injunction preventing the publication of the damning Commission of Inquiry report into corruption in the Department of Finance (the so-called "Paraka Scams').

The Commission spent several years investigating allegations of widespread corruption but in 2010, the day after its report was tabled in parliament, lawyer Paul Paraka and former Solicitor General Zachary Gelu obtained a court injunction preventing its publication.

After more than three years, that injunction has finally been lifted.

Where is Alois Jerewai's SABL land grab report?

Submitted by rait man on Fri, 10/01/2014 - 08:37

In September 2013 Prime Minister Peter O'Neill presented to Parliament the reports from two of the three Commissioners appointed to investigated the SABL land grab.

The reports revealed a web of deceit, mismanagement and corruption surrounding the allocation of SABL leases to foreign companies which, in many cases, the companies are using as cover for illegal logging operations.

Zurenuoc outlines PNG anti-graft body’s roles

Submitted by rait man on Thu, 09/01/2014 - 12:28

From POST COURIER/PACNEWS

The Papua New Guinea Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) will not take over the responsibilities of existing government agencies, says chief secretary to Government Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc.

Sir Manasupe said this when briefing the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Laws, Acts and Subordinate Legislation Tuesday on Constitutional amendments to establish ICAC and amendments to the Organic law on Provincial and Local Level Governments to establish the District Development Authority.

Proud to be "PLES TYPE'

Submitted by rait man on Wed, 01/01/2014 - 12:13

Scott Waide

“PLES TYPE” is the new “derogatory” term used largely by urban folk who are ashamed of their roots and proud ancestry. It is used by people who would rather abandon a self-reliant, “ples type” life to live a hand-to-mouth existence in towns and cities.