Peter O’Neill ready to back new leader to be PNG PM
News that matter in Papua New Guinea
Peter O’Neill ready to
back new leader to be PNG PM
PORT MORESBY: People’s National Congress party leader
and Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill says he does not believe it is his right to
claim the prime ministership and will support alternate candidates.
“Let me make it clear.
The position of prime minister should not just be about Peter O’Neill and James
Marape,” he added.
“I do not believe that I
have a right to be the only alternative to Marape for the prime minister
position,” the former prime minister said in a statement yesterday (Aug 3,
2022).
PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below the news break and a few General Election news updates as published by The National:
O’Neill ready to back
new leader
August 4, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
“Let me make it clear. The position of prime minister should not just be about
Peter O’Neill and James Marape,” he said.
“I do not believe that I have a right to be the only alternative to Marape for
the prime minister’s position,” he said in a statement yesterday.
“I am quite happy to spend my time focused on Ialibu-Pangia and home province
of Southern Highlands.
“This creates space for young, dynamic leaders from within our People’s
National Congress party and all parties to step up and form Government.
“You will have my 100 per cent support and I ask nothing special in return.
“It was my greatest privilege to lead Papua New Guinea, but I recognise that we
need to heal and move forward, and that the restoration may move faster when
leaders listen to the will of the people.
“I am prepared to support alternative prime minister candidates as my party and
I are prepared to do whatever it takes to rescue PNG.
“I can assure those who may contemplate being the next prime minister that the
propaganda coming from the locked and guarded at kalabus Pangu
(Loloata Resort) is not true.
“Party leaders and power brokers are deeply concerned about the unprecedented
election fraud and lack of regard for democracy that abounds.
“Leaders are worried the economy is in tatters. They are asking why our economy
is performing so badly that the IMF (International Monetary Fund) has announced
that they are opening a dedicated office in Port Moresby to monitor more
closely the Treasury functions.
“The closure of the Porgera mine (Enga) and the failure to move ahead in three
years with any new major investments such as Wafi Golpu (Morobe), along with
massive borrowings and wastage have shredded our financial position.
“Our children are growing up thinking this violent society is normal.
“We now seem to be in freefall economically and socially and need to use this
moment in time to reset ourselves and move forward with new leadership.
“I believe PNG deserves a change to heal some of the open wounds that currently
exist and encourage ambitious, properly elected leaders to use this conclusion
of the GE22 to make their moves.
“I offer our numbers, the numbers of our partners and my support to provide the
platform to support a dynamic leader from any party to step up.
“I encourage leaders who have been elected properly and who are genuinely
interested in rescuing PNG from the economic and social chaos to consider
putting their hand up for the top job.
“The role of prime minister should be filled by a person who has firstly been
elected with integrity – who has been mandated by the people honestly.
“It is critical junction for our young nation and we urgently need a Papua New
Guinean who has a vision for our country and who can pull the nation together
and lead us forward.
“There are no celebrations around the country despite the apparently
overwhelming election of Pangu candidates.
“Very strange. No one at all seems proud of their apparent chosen leaders,
rather people are scared with no one to turn to with all avenues for justice
closed off to the regular person.”
Accused of burning
ballots
August 4, 2022The
NationalMain Stories
A MAN involved in the Markham
election-related riot appeared before a Lae Committal Court on Wednesday.
His five counts of criminal charges were read out to him before the court
adjourned his case to Aug 17.
Jerry Minang, 32, from Markham’s Antiragen village in Morobe appeared before
magistrate Samuel Lavutul charged with arson, malicious damage, wilful damage,
damage to properties and rioting.
Lavutul read out the five charges in court so that the defendant was aware of
the charges against him and explained the committal court process.
“I will read out the charges against you one more time,” he said.
“This is so that you are aware of your charges, you will be remanded in custody
and you wait for the police to do a file.”
The court said Minang could apply for bail in the district court.
“You can formally apply for bail in this court,” he told Minang.
“So I advise you to lodge a proper bail application and provide three
guarantors.”
Police said that on July 16, Minang was alleged to have been part of the riot
that took place at Mutzing in Markham.
The riot at the time had quickly escalated which resulted in the destruction of
a 20-foot shipping container containing ballot boxes and papers which were
burnt.
The destruction also included damages to a brand new tractor which belonged to
the Markham district services valued at K222,200.
Other properties destroyed during the riot which also belonged to the Markham
district services were valued at K308, 709.81.
Violence in Hela
continues
August 4, 2022The NationalMain Stories
Manasseh Makiba
FIVE men were injured,
houses, properties and vehicles were burnt as fighting continued between the
supporters of two candidates in Margarima, Hela last week.
Police commander Chief Inspector Robin Bore said the fighting was between the
supporters of Margarima MP Manasseh Makiba (Pangu Pati), who won the seat, and
Independent candidate Dr Benson Wakinda. It started during the polling on July
4.
“Three of Makiba’s supporters were killed by Benson’s supporters after the
fight started,” Bore said.
Bore said the fighting continued after the declaration of Makiba as MP.
“Five people were injured, and houses and properties of Wakinda’s supporters
were burnt,” he said.
He said the supporters of Makiba retaliated after three of them were killed.
“It led to the burning of houses in Ipwaka village and Hiri village,” he said.
“Security personnel in Tari have been sent to Margarima to join their
colleagues sent from Laiagam in Enga to control the situation there.
“Everything is under control.
“Hopefully next week, peace will be made between the supporters.”
Meanwhile the United States, through the US Agency for International
Development (USAID), is providing an initial US$100,000 (K352,500) in immediate
humanitarian assistance to respond to displacement in PNG resulting from
violence which began in May and continues.
Police confiscate weapons from supporter
A prison officer with
a bow confiscated from supporters of candidates in Goroka on Sunday. –
Nationalpic by ZACHERY PER
POLICE in Goroka confiscated bush knives and
axes from supporters of candidates on Sunday near the National Sports Institute
where counting for Eastern Highlands was taking place.
Provincial police commander Supt Michael Welly ordered his men to disarm the
supporters and send them home. They were also carrying, bows and arrows.
“Confiscated too were a factory-made gun and homemade gun.
Police chased away the crowd from the perimeters of the National Sports
Institute counting venue.
Police also reported that a person was killed in a fight among supporters of
candidates contesting the Regional seat on Tuesday.
“One person was killed during the fight. The security forces stepped in and
stopped the issue from escalating.
“Counting has resumed,” he said.
Welly thanked the Electoral Commission and security officials for working
together to address issues immediately. He said counting in the Eastern
Highlands was progressing well.
“When there is an issue, the EC officers inform me.
“I step in with the security team to address it and counting continues.”
Counting for the EHP provincial seat is going into elimination after quality
checks. EHP Election Manager Gore Kaupa remains confident that the writ for the
regional seat will be returned tomorrow (Friday).
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