DPM Basil killed in road crash, GE22 nominations deferred to Wednesday
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Papua New Guinea
DPM Basil killed in road crash, GE22 nominations deferred to
Wednesday
PORT MORESBY: Nominations for Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s
11th General Election (GE) have been deferred by a week after Deputy
Prime Minister Sam Basil was killed in a car crash on Wednesday (May 11, 2022).
PNG electoral
commissioner Simon Sinai announced that the election writs had been signed and
issued by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
However, nominations for
Papua New Guinea (PNG)’s General Election 2022 (GE22) have been deferred to
Wednesday (May 18, 2022).
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below several news updates on GE22 as published by The National:
Basil dead
May 13, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
By Staff Reporters
NOMINATIONS for Papua
New Guinea’s 11th general election have been deferred by a week after Deputy
Prime Minister Sam Basil was killed in a car crash on Wednesday evening.
PNG electoral commissioner Simon Sinai announced that the election writs had
been signed and issued by Governor-General Sir Bob Dadae.
“However, nominations had been deferred to Wednesday following a recommendation
by the National Executive Council (the Cabinet/Government),” he added.
Prime Minister James Marape said it was the first time in the country’s history
that a sitting deputy prime minister died in office.
The election writs were signed and issued as scheduled at 4pm yesterday in the
Government House.
Basil, the leader of United Labour Party formed after he left the ruling Pangu
Pati in post-general election 2017, died in Bulolo Hospital while waiting to be
airlifted to Lae late Wednesday night.
Kaikas said Basil was returning to Lae after a trip to Watut and was unable to
avoid an open-back Land Cruiser at a bend just past a wire footbridge.
He said Basil lost consciousness and a public vehicle rushed him and the
injured to Bulolo Hospital while Manalos Aviation was called in for a medevac
into Lae with a doctor from Angau Hospital.
Kaikas said Basil was pronounced dead in Bulolo Hospital on Wednesday night
soon after his close protection officer (bodyguard) died from his accident
injuries.
“Basil’s wife and the others are critically injured and have been taken by
police to Lae the same night,” he said.
Kaikas said Basil’s body was airlifted to Lae and taken to a funeral home at
14-Mile.
Police Commissioner David Manning said the driver of the second vehicle
involved in the accident was currently in police custody.
“He suffered extensive injuries,” he said.
“As soon as he is in stable condition, he will be charged with dangerous
driving.”
Basil, a three-term Member of Parliament, is the eighth incumbent MP who has
died in the 2017 to 2022 parliamentary term.
He was first elected as Bulolo MP in the 8th general election in 2007 under the
People’s Progress Party ticket but resigned from the party on Jan 10, 2011 to
join the Papua New Guinea Party.
His untimely death has shocked and rocked Papua New Guinean politics at such a
crucial electoral environment, with citizens going to the polls from July 9 to
22.
Marape said: “PNG is shocked and saddened at the tragic passing of Basil.
“We pray for God’s Hand on the country at this sad time.
“It is a big loss to his family, people of Bulolo, Morobe, United Labour Party
and PNG as we try to come to terms with his passing.
“He was a strong member of our present generation of leaders in Government who
have our country in our heart.
“What makes his untimely passing even sadder is the fact that it happened only
hours before nominations (would have) open for the general election.
“The ruling Pangu Pati I now lead is due to the hard work of Basil in 2014. He
single-handedly resurrected the party.
“Basil led Pangu into 2017 general election to win six seats in Morobe and
others around the country, bringing it back to (political) life.”
Marape said Basil would be given a State funeral befitting of his status as
deputy prime minister.
Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill said Basil was a skillful politician who
resurrected Pangu Pati and built the United Labour Party into a political
force.
“I am shocked and saddened at the untimely passing of one of PNG’s greatest
young leaders,” O’Neill said.
“Basil was a genuine man of the people and served his electorate with
distinction and was unrelenting in his pursuit to improve the lives of his
people.”
Basil a hands-on
leader: Sir Bob
May 13, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Sir Bob in paying tribute to Basil, the Bulolo MP, said he was a hard-working
politician and fully committed to the service of his people.
“The people of Morobe have lost a remarkable leader a “Kwila” of Morobe in Sam
Basil, the likes of which is impossible to replace,” Sir Bob said.
Prime Minister James Marape said Basil set up the ruling Pangu Pati he now
leads with his hard work in 2014.
“The one-man party became two in 2015 when the late Goilala MP William Samb
joined Basil to revive this great PNG institution.
“Basil led Pangu into the 2017 general election, winning six seats in Morobe
and others around the country, bringing it back to life – something for which
we the present Pangu are indebted to,” Marape said. Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter
O’Neill in his tribute described Basil as a skilful politician who resurrected
Pangu Pati and built United Labour Party into a political force.
“A skilful politician, (Basil) resurrected Pangu Pati and steered it back to
being a major political party.
“He proved his strength when he was not able to continue to lead Pangu and
despite his sadness, turned his attention to making United Labour Party a
genuine political force.
“He set his mind to these goals, made plans and stuck at it until it was
achieved.
“Sam never let politics get in the way of his friendships and I for one, have
been very grateful over many years to be the recipient of Sam’s mate-ship.
“At 52, he was poised to capitalise on his experience in public life and make
even greater contributions to his people and our country,” O’Neill said.
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird said that Basil championed good governance for a
long time before he and other MPs entered Parliament.
“He bravely fought successive governments from the Opposition bench.
“It took great skill and exceptional courage to do what he did.
“His leadership of Pangu Pati and the people of Morobe in particular in 2017
had a significant impact on PNG politics in this term,” Bird said.
Meanwhile, United Labour Party Morobe branch president Kay Takiseng said the
party would continue Basil’s legacy and try to fulfil his wishes in continuing
with party programme of nominations for its endorsed candidates.
“He wanted to become prime minister and was building us as an Eastern bloc
starting from Jiwaka, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, Madang and Morobe.
“His dreams had motivated us to still go into the election and continue with
our candidates nominations.”
Wau, Bulolo shut down, in chaos after MP’s
death
BULOLO and Wau towns shut down yesterday
following the sudden and tragic death of Deputy Prime Minister and Bulolo MP
Sam Basil, according to police.
Wau Senior Inspector Leo Kaikas said the news of the 15-year-term MP’s fatal
accident on Wednesday evening immediately resulted in chaos in the district.
He said some political supporters gathered at the Bulolo Hospital where Basil
was rushed to from the accident site while others, mostly male youths, went on
a rampage, burning down market stalls and tried looting stores.
Kaikas said the decision to quickly airlift Basil out of district the same
night at least controlled the situation from getting out of hand.
“Locals rushed to get into the hospital,” he said.
“Stones and sticks were thrown at us; roadblocks were set-up and the town came
to a standstill in the early hours of yesterday.
“His family and supporters were shocked and wanted to know his condition, so we
had to keep him longer at Bulolo, situation on ground could have worsened.”
Kaikas said with tension still high, he ordered all businesses and services in
both Bulolo and Wau to stop until everything was back to normal.
“We are fearing a spill-over of the situation into Wau because things have
already escalated in Mumeng and along the highway,” he said.
“There is mixed feeling on the ground so I advise no movement until everything
is under control.
“We are monitoring with the assistance of additional units from Lae and Morobe
commands.”
Hagen flights
suspended
May 13, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
Members of the Hagen open electorate staged the demonstration on Wednesday
outside
Kagamuga Airport demanding answers over the change of their returning officer
for this year’s general election.
Air Niugini responded by suspending flights into Kagamuga.
The airline said it was closely monitoring the situation and would advise
customers and the public when it was safe to resume operations.
The National Airports Corporation (NAC), which owns all airports, also issued a
cautionary notice to airline operators flying into Kagamuga Airport.
NAC managing director Rex Kiponge said the airport still remained open, however
the decision for flight cancellations was solely the prerogative of the
airlines based on their own risk assessments.
The protesters called for Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai to explain the
last minute revocation of the gazetted RO.
The protesters indicated that services including the airport, businesses and
public activities would be disrupted.
The leaders said their protest would continue this week and urged all business
houses to shut down as opportunists could use the protest as an excuse to
target them for looting.
Nominations for the Western Highlands regional seat and Hagen open began
yesterday at the provincial administration office.
Highlands Eastern-end commander Joe Puri said that recent unrest in Mt Hagen
was not election related but to do with relatives of a Southern Highlands man
killed in Hagen causing disturbance as they took the body home.
Jiwaka police told to be neutral during
elections
POLICE officers in
Jiwaka have been told not to associate with any intending candidates for the
General Election.
Jiwaka police commander Superintendent Gideon Kauke said with the nomination
period taking place, candidates, including sitting MPs, would be looking to
promote themselves and influence others and police officers and other public
servants needed to act ethically and professionally.
“We have to draw a line and leave the politics to the politicians and
concentrate on police operations, especially providing policing to the people
of Jiwaka during the election period,” he said.
Kauke said the police objective was to ensure a free and fair election.
He said the policemen and women should be transparent in their conduct during
the election period.
“We must be an honest, competent and non-partisan organisation to assist the
Electoral Commission to control the election,” he said.
Kauke appealed to the policemen and women assisting elections in Jiwaka to
create a conducive environment for the people to participate fairly, freely and
meaningfully in this election.
Fire chief urges supporters not to damage
buildings
PAPUA New Guinea Fire
Service Commissioner Bill Roo has urged supporters of political parties not to
take their frustrations out on buildings by destroying or setting them on fire.
He is calling for a safe, violence-free general election and as such has cautioned
the public, particularly the supporters of political parties, to be careful
when out at polling stations or during the campaign period.
Roo added that even though the Fire Service Commission would not be actively
involved in the elections, all 16 branches around the country would definitely
be ready to turn up to any call or emergency during the nomination and polling
periods.
“Our core functions will still be running every day, emergency services
available to those that call and we will be on standby for any situation,” he
said. Of the 16 branches, he said 12 were outside the National Capital District
and all would be available 24/7.
He said some fire-fighters were also police reservists and would be released to
help Police during the election period.
Political parties must stop poaching
candidates, says Parkop
POLITICAL parties must stop poaching
candidates, Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader and National Capital District
Governor Powes Parkop says.
Parkop also urged candidates not to hop from one party to another as this
behaviour was unbecoming of leaders. The 60-year-old said this during the
recent announcement of the candidates his party was endorsing for the general
election.
Parkop said the number of candidates for endorsement was 41 but only 32 were
named.
He said eight candidates were under the party but their endorsements had not
been processed yet.
He added that these eight would self-fund their campaigns while two candidates
had been poached however, one had been convinced to return to the SDP fold.
“The situation, as everybody knows, is some candidates are shifting here and
there which is not a very good sign of leadership,” he said.
“This is something I want to call out all parties on is to stop poaching.
“To our people this is what I want to say – how people do things is how they do
things.
“If they have shown their character in the beginning by hopping or shifting
here and there – when they get into parliament they will do the same.”
Deputy CJ wants
assurance
May 13, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Presiding at the National Court in Waigani on Wednesday, he urged the Electoral
Commission to appoint people who have not been questioned on their impartiality
and integrity to take part in the election.
“People whose characters were questioned as election managers and returning
officers are not to be included at all if we are to deliver safe, fair and
quality election to the people who exercise their rights once every five years
to choose freely, safely, protected and speak openly,” he said.
“The Electoral Commission seems not to pay any attention.
“The integrity of the election is guaranteed when we have people without
questions on their integrity of standing appointed to this most critical and
important commission,” he said.
Justice Kandakasi said this was to reduce the number of election petitions
coming to court after elections.
“Electoral Commission must go to the election petition database and see which
of election managers, returning officers and presiding officers have question
marks on their names in the petitions.
“What good does the electoral commission serve if it keeps on ignoring such
situation?”
These remarks were made during a proceeding by former Hela governor Francis
Potape, an intending candidate for Komo-Margarima Tuguyawini Peter Philip, an
intending candidate for Tari-Pori open Justin Haiara and Ramond Kuai against
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai for appointing John Tipa as the Hela
election manager.
Potape, Philip, Haiara and Kuai, through their lawyer Paul Henry, sought
court’s order to have Sinai reappoint a new Hela election manager and not Tipa.
They said that Tipa’s actions as the Hela election manager in the previous
general election had resulted in an election petition against Hela Governor
Philip Undialu in the National Court referencing EP NO.3 of 2017.
In the election petition proceeding, Tipa as the Hela election manager in 2017
general election, conducted an illegal recount after the official counting was
closed and failed to declare the winner of the Hela regional seat on July 23,
2017 after counting was completed.
Henry said Tipa also had similar issues with the election of the Hela local
level government in 2019 and his reappointment in this coming general election
did not guarantee the integrity of the Electoral Commission. He said having
Tipa as the Hela election manager would interfere with the rights to free and
fair election.
Justice Kandaksi had further ordered Sinai’s lawyer to file and serve an
affidavit addressing the issue of decision made on the Hela provincial election
manager, returning officers and polling officers to Henry as of yesterday. The
matter returns today for hearing of arguments.
PNG Country Party names 40 candidates to
contest elections
The Asaro Mudmen of
Eastern Highlands performing during the Papua New Guinea Country Party’s
announcement to contest the general election in Goroka on Wednesday. –
Nationalpic by ZACHERY PER
PAPUA New Guinea
Country Party parliamentary leader Wera Mori recently announced 40 candidates
to contest this year’s general election under the party banner.
Mori made the announcement at a party gathering in Goroka on Wednesday.
He said one of the two candidates endorsed from the Autonomous Region of
Bougainville (AROB) was a woman.
Mori told a large gathering at the National Park in Goroka that his party was
aiming to restore dignity and integrity to parliament.
“Every individual’s dignity and integrity must be protected and should not be
manipulated and deprived.
“Likewise the Country Party’s integrity and dignity must also be upheld,” he
said.
Mori said candidates endorsed under the Country Party were prepared to join
hands to take the challenge to contest, win seats and be in the Government to
see party policies implemented for the betterment of the people and the
country.
He said the party’s foremost policy was to achieve economic independence for
ordinary citizens by bringing back the country’s money from extractive
industries parked in off-shore accounts and developing agriculture.
Meanwhile, Mori clarified that the Eastern bloc political movement comprising
Western Highlands, Chimbu, Jiwaka, Madang and Morobe was not promoting
regionalism but to be a force in Parliament to form government and bargain for
more recognition and to vie for major portfolios.
“The rejuvenation of PNG Country Party is bringing the spotlight on the
capabilities of eastern politicians that seemed to have gone off the stage over
a past two decades,” he said.
20-member police team to watch Kerema
A 20-MEMBER team is
expected to be stationed in Kerema during the election period, Gulf provincial
police commander Chief Inspector Jeffery Lemb says.
“All nominations will take place at the Kerema rugby league oval, where there
won’t be major security issues during that time and we will conduct election
awareness,” he said.
He said the awareness campaign would cover the seven days of the nominations
and end before polling began.
“We will keep watch, secure the town area. We are not expecting a lot to happen
during this period especially during the nomination and campaigning period.
“After nomination and polling period, all the counting will take place in the
same area for the three seats of the province,” Lemb said.
Lemb added that Police Minister William Onglo was considering an alcohol ban
for the election period and they would follow directives from the Police
Headquarters or the Minister.
“If there is a need, we can call for an alcohol ban at the provincial level
until any specific instruction comes from the Police HQ or the Minister,” he
said.
Sinai explains role of returning officers in
polls
ELECTORAL Commissioner Simon Sinai has
appealed to the public not to cause trouble in the provinces over the
appointment of returning officers (ROs), saying they were only observers.
“The returning officer is merely, in this context, an observer, the assistant
returning officers are given prominence and they will come into run the
elections, so don’t think that an RO will position someone to win. They only
supervise and facilitate the process,” he said.
“So when we go into the elections, we’re going to talk more about it more but
for now, as we are seeing, people are complaining and causing violence; let us
not do that.”
Sinai urged the public to work together and see what the Electoral Commission
(EC) would be doing during the polling and counting period.
He pointed out that the ROs had strict protocols there to manage them and did
not not understand why there were issues over the appointment of ROs.
“If you have a problem with them relating to a personal matter, then make your
complaints heard with the EC about how critical it is, but you also need to
consider the work that goes into selecting the ROs,” he said.
He said the public needed to learn to accept the work of the EC through their
appointments and work with them.
“Do not cause trouble because RO selection have already been appointed and
gazetted, decided by the EC in talks with stakeholders.”
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