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.

From Radio Australia / PACNEWS

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

From Joey Tau writing on PNG Edge

The suspicious death of a rebel leader is the latest in a long line of alleged human rights abuses.

By Gemima Harvey in The Diplomat

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.

From PNG Exposed

The complete SABL Commission of Inquiry reports from Commissioners John Numapo and Nicholas Mirou can be downloaded here:

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.

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.

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.

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.