Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal’s decision to appoint a Commission of Inquiry into  Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases (SABLs) and subsequent suspension of forest clearance permits issued under such leases, has come under scathing attack from vocal Opposition MP, and PNG Party leader, Belden Namah.

Namah also says more stiff opposition is expected from stakeholders throughout Papua New Guinea.

Attorney General, Arnold Amet's apology for his racist attack at the PMIZ forum directed at MP Ken Fairweather, which was captured on video, has not stemmed the public criticism of his remarks as these two letters from Friday's newspapers show:

Arnie apology too late for world opinion

Teik Soba

By Lester Seri

Minister Lucas Dekena’s denial that “there is no scam, con or land grabbing in PNG” is the worst denial of the century made by any Minister in PNG. To make statements of denial while there are scores of documented evidence on land fraud starring at him is beyond comprehension.


By PMIZ Watcher

While the Papua New Guinea government has recently reaffirmed its commitment to the Pacific Marine Industrial Zone project in Madang, despite some vociferous local opposition [1], it seems major international companies are rejecting the project and choosing instead to invest in Lae.

The government claims that the PMIZ will become a major hub for tuna processing in the Pacific region with up to 10 processing factories that will create 30,000 jobs.

Post Courier, Editorial

Parliament will resume next Tuesday. The Members of Parliament will have resumed after a six months holiday except for the one day sitting in February to elect the Governor General.

The Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) over customary land has been the subject of much debate in recent months. On our part, we [Post Courier] have been investigating these land deals, and have done our part by exposing some of those fraudulent activities with the help of the affected landowners, non-government organisations and green groups, who have also been taking up the fight, on behalf of the village people who have lost their rights to their land in these dealings at the government and international levels.


ACT NOW! has congratulated the Acting Prime Minister, Sam Abal, on his announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases and an immediate moratorium on any further deals. 

“We applaud the Acting Prime Minister for recognizing these leases have been abused and the potentially devastating impacts they have on the lives of so many people,” said ACT NOW! Program Manager, Effrey Dademo.

Acting Prime Minister, the Hon. Sam Abal MP, has announced the government’s intention to set up a Commission of Inquiry into the issue of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases.

The Commission will investigate the grant of Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases covering some 5.2 million hectares of customary land to ensure all legal requirements have been followed and that the leases are being used for the purposes intended in the legislation.

Papua New Guinea's Attorney General, Arnold Amet, has published an unreserved apology for his racial attack on MP Ken Fairweather at last week's Pacific Marine Industrial Zone forum.

Papua New Guinea's Lands Minister has come out in the media to strongly back the controversial Special Purpose Agriculture and Business Leases which have been heavily criticized by landholders, NGOs, scientists and academics in PNG and overseas.

The leases have been described as a huge land grab, but the Minister apparently sees nothing wrong.