Maximum 7 years jail for corrupt former election manager Hetinu
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Maximum 7 years jail for corrupt former election
manager Hetinu
PORT MORESBY: Labelling the corruption case as the
worst of its kind, National Court judge Theresa Berrigan jailed former National
Capital District (NC) election manager Terence Hetinu the maximum seven years
with light labour on Friday (April 29, 2022).
Hetinu, 51, corruptly
received K184,300 from Michael Kandiu to influence the outcome of the election
for the NCD seat in General Election 2017.
Details of the court proceedings were published by The National:
Corrupt Hetinu jailed
7 years
May 2, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
LABELLING the
corruption case as the worst of its kind, National Court Judge Theresa Berrigan
jailed former National Capital District (NCD) election manager Terence Hetinu
the maximum seven years with light labour on Friday.
Hetinu, 51, from Kainantu’s Biteve village in Eastern Highlands, corruptly
received K184,300 from Michael Kandiu to influence the outcome of the election
for the NCD seat in 2017 general election.
Judge Berrigan said those entrusted with power and authority in public office,
at any level of the public service, must be accountable to the people.
“This was corruption of the worst kind, warranting the maximum penalty,” she
said.
“This case involved gross breach of trust.
“It should never be forgotten that free and fair elections are the foundation
upon which every thriving democracy rests, ensuring that government derives
from the will of the people.
“The right to vote is enshrined in the Constitution, and that right is sacred.
The future of the country depends on it.
“As the country faces (general election), a severe penalty must be imposed as a
clear warning to potential offenders, and to maintain public confidence in the
electoral process.”
Judge Berrigan noted that it was unclear what portion of the monies were for
Hetinu’s personal benefit and what were to be paid to polling officials to
secure Kandiu’s election.
“But it is the corrupt receipt of the monies by Hetinu in the discharge of his
duties that is at the heart of this offence,” she said.
“The monies were received pursuant to a memorandum of agreement (MoA) between
Kandiu, Hetinu and coordinator for Moresby North-East electorate Williue
Winstand Ipuia, under which an unspecified sum of monies was made available to
Hetinu and Ipuia for distribution amongst themselves, their families and for
distribution ensuring the election of Kandiu.”
Judge Berrigan added that upon Kandiu’s election, Hetinu was to be awarded all
security contracts with the NCD Commission for a period of at least five years,
subject to renewal.
“In this case, Hetinu corruptly received monies for the purpose of ‘rigging’
the election in the course of his duties.”
Hetinu’s lawyer submitted that “this was not an offence of the worst kind
because Hetinu’s attempts to influence the election outcome were thwarted
because he was caught in possession of the cash”.
“Despite having those factors, I remain of the view that this is an offence of
the worst kind having regard to the nature and extent of the abuse of trust
involved,” Judge Berringan said.
“Hetinu was the election manager for NCD.
“It was he who had overall responsibility to organise and conduct free and fair
elections in NCD.
“And it was he who supervised the polling officials he intended to influence.
“Furthermore, it is clear that the offence is one that must have had a serious
effect on public confidence.”
Judge Berringan said the maximum penalty for the offence was seven years
imprisonment and a fine at the discretion of the court.
The court, in considering Hetinu’s age and health, sentenced him to seven years
with light labour, to be served in Bomana Prison. The court did not impose any
fine.
Judge Berringan said the purpose of the Electoral Commission was to ensure that
free, safe and fair elections.
“Public confidence in the electoral process, and, indeed, those elected to
office, depends upon the integrity of the Electoral Commission,” she said.
“Corruption is prevalent, as are efforts to interfere with the electoral
process.”
Police reviewing
security operations
May 2, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Electoral Commissioner Simon Sinai extended the issuing of writs to May 12 last
week saying that the extension was due to a number of factors including the
Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which made it impossible for the Electoral
Commission to update the common roll.
Billie said that with the deferral, he was now calling on all commanders to
ensure police personnel providing close protection duties for government
ministers and MPs to cease once the writs were issued.
“There should also not be any more police attachment to companies, business
houses or private escort or any police affiliations to MPs, intending
candidates or political parties,” he said.
“Anyone seen doing escorts or providing security for intending candidates or
political parties will be dealt with seriously.”
Billie said all commanders must lead by example in delivering a free and fair
election.
Meanwhile, Deputy Police Commissioner Billie launched Gulf police pre-election
security operations in Kerema on Friday.
Billie said that the launch was part of a traditional event for the
constabulary every five years.
“The pre-election operation launching parade is usually held to signify the
police show of strength and its readiness to deliver the security overlay for
the general election over the years.
“Today is a significant day not just for constabulary but the Gulf province as
a whole.
“We will go into the general election in June to vote in leaders to represent
us in the 11th Parliament.
“This is a very important period for the 11 million-plus people of PNG as the
power, which is held in trust by our leaders for five years, is given back to
us again and we are given the opportunity to decide who we give that power to,
to lead us for the next five years,” he said.
Bogia police station needs manpower,
transport, firearms
POLICE in Bogia,
Madang, need manpower, transport and firearms for the general election security
operations, says police station commander Sgt Anthon Michael.
“There are seven regulars, eight reservists and five auxiliaries that serve the
entire Bogia with lack of logistics and firearms,” he said.
He said most suspects involved in robberies were not arrested because of lack
of vehicles.
“Many times, police vehicles do not have fuel to move around and to attend to
crimes and social problems,” he said.
He said there was a need for more regular police help in effective policing.
He said lack of logistics made policing difficult.
He said two of their new vehicles were damaged by locals during a fight in
Bogia earlier this year.
“The two vehicles are now in Lae for service and maintenance and will be
returned for the election security operations,” he said.
O’Neill: PNC will create 500,000 jobs
A People’s National Congress (PNC) led
Government would create 500,000 jobs for young Papua New Guineans, says party
leader Peter O’Neill.
“PNC will create 500,000 jobs for Papua New Guinean coming out from
universities and colleges if we form the new government after the general
election,” he said.
O’Neill said this in Kwongi One in Daulo when witnessing the declaration of PNC
candidate Henry Dua Bagme to contest the Daulo Open seat.
“You give me Bagme when I form the next government, he will be part of the
decision-making to create 500,000 jobs for our young professionals,” the
Ialibu-Pangia MP said.
O’Neill said young people after completing formal education, wanted to have
jobs to complement the hard work they did during studies and trainings.
“We want to ensure they have a better life and contribute meaningfully towards
the development of our country, for some who may not be able to find jobs, my
government will help them to start their own businesses,” he said.
O’Neill said the government would invest K2.5 million in a small-medium
enterprise (SME) bank for youths.
“The three key pillars PNC promotes for young people are ‘education, jobs and
SME’, these are our key policies to change the country,” O’Neill said.
He said as an experienced leader and former chairman of the then PNG Banking
Corporation, he saw PNG as being blessed with natural resources and manpower to
change the country.
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