MARAPE TO PURSUE CASE AGAINST POST COURIER, WILL NOT STEP DOWN AS PRIME MINISTER

Press Release 

Friday, 28 March 2025

Prime Minister James Marape has indicated that his legal team will pursue a case against local newspaper Post Courier over its reports on Wednesday, March 26th, 2025.

The paper had the headline "Paraka Payment 'Scam'" , where Member for Sinasina Yonggomugl and Opposition strongman, Kerenga Kua, testified in court that Marape, who was then Finance Minister, pressured staff in the department to make payments to Paraka Lawyers.

The revelation to sue Post Courier was made today by the Prime Minister after returning from an official visit to New Zealand.

There were other inferences also made on the newspapers front page story which has raised concerns.

Marape is considering to file complaints that the matter before the court was being used by Post Courier to conduct media trial and stirring unnecessary insinuations.

He says this amounted to contempt of court.

The Prime Minister has also made it clear that he will not step down or resign from the office as per calls peddled on social media.

PM Marape reaffirms govt commitment to transparency with special audit into Connect PNG

17 March 2025

MEDIA STATEMENT 

Prime Minister James Marape has reaffirmed his government’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance by announcing the launch of a special audit into the Connect PNG Infrastructure Programme.

This high-level audit, led by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in partnership with Norths Projects Ltd, an internationally recognized engineering firm, will comprehensively assess the entire Connect PNG Programme following allegations of corruption and mismanagement.

The audit aims to provide an independent and professional review of the programme’s financial integrity and performance, ensuring that Connect PNG effectively fulfills its mandate of linking the country through modern road networks.

 “Our government has always upheld high standards of transparency. We do not tolerate impropriety or corruption in our systems. In light of widespread concerns, including last year’s allegations branding Connect PNG as a corrupt scheme, we are committed to conducting a full audit of the programme,” stated Prime Minister Marape.

To this end, the Prime Minister emphasized the engagement of Deloitte, one of the world’s leading accounting firms, alongside a reputable engineering firm, to conduct a thorough assessment of Connect PNG.

 “Their review will not only verify the integrity of the programme but also ensure that every kina is spent appropriately and that roads are constructed to proper engineering standards,” he added.

The special audit commenced in February 2025 and will involve physical inspections of Phase One projects across eight provinces, marking the first comprehensive review of the programme since its inception.

To enhance the audit process, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) will provide security and logistical support, ensuring a fair and effective assessment.

The audit will determine whether any financial irregularities have occurred. If so, those responsible will face legal consequences; meanwhile, individuals wrongly accused will have the opportunity to clear their names.

 “If there has been any mismanagement, corruption, or unethical conduct, those responsible will be prosecuted. Conversely, if these allegations are found to be baseless, those falsely accused will be able to seek legal redress for any reputational damage,” Prime Minister Marape affirmed.

Emphasizing the importance of the Connect PNG programme, the Prime Minister noted its critical role in providing essential road networks to all parts of the country—a mission that must not be undermined by corruption or inefficiency.

 “For too long, PNG has remained disconnected, with large areas still inaccessible by road, even after nearly 50 years of independence. Connect PNG seeks to change this reality and ensure that our growing population and economy have the necessary infrastructure for long-term sustainability,” he said.

Additionally, Prime Minister Marape revealed that his government is developing a new policy to expand independent auditing across all government agencies. Moving forward, any department or agency facing allegations of mismanagement will undergo an independent review by leading global accounting firms, including Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Ernst & Young, and KPMG.

 “We are committed to ensuring full transparency in government finances. These firms will be granted full access to government records, working alongside the Auditor General’s Office to provide independent and credible assessments of all key agencies and departments,” PM Marape stated.

He commended Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu and his team for their efforts in ensuring that the Connect PNG audit proceeds with integrity and professionalism.

“We have nothing to hide, and this process will instill public confidence that we are serious about accountability. We want to ensure that every kina spent is accounted for and that PNG’s infrastructure projects are built to last, serving the nation for generations to come,” he concluded.

Hong Kong’s second-richest billionaire Lee Shau Kee revealed the burdens of extreme wealth

By Hai Trieu, Tue 3/18/2025, 08:35 pm (PT)

Lee Shau Kee, Hong Kong’s second richest billionaire, once shared in his biography that extreme wealth had brought him many troubles.

Lee, who passed away on Monday at age 97, said in his biography published years ago that being rich is generally a good thing, according to Hong Kong-based magazine Ming Pao Weekly.

"Poverty is truly worrisome and difficult. Imagine not having enough food, no warm clothes, and not knowing when you should sleep. How could you feel comfortable? How could you achieve your goals? On top of that, occasional illness is like having a leaking roof on a rainy night, truly miserable," he said.

However, he noted that simply being rich is different from having extreme wealth, which comes with many pitfalls.

The tycoon said he often received letters from around the world seeking donations for various causes.

"After reading these letters, I feel very uneasy because I feel bad if I do not help them. But if I want to help, I do not know whether they are genuine or not," he said, remarking that countless people worldwide need help. "The more suffering I witness, the more ashamed I feel.

He added: "Moreover, once you become a billionaire, you inevitably become a public figure and live in a goldfish bowl, and you lose many opportunities for freedom and independence.

"Furthermore, once you have a lot of money, circumstances will force you to work tirelessly to protect your wealth. It is not that you 'use' money, but rather that money 'uses' you. Enduring physical exhaustion and endless mental anxiety is not a pleasant feeling."

He claimed: "Those who are neither poor nor rich are the luckiest and can truly enjoy themselves."

Lee is known for his extensive philanthropic legacy, with a focus on education.

He was nicknamed "Uncle Four" as he was born in 1928 as the fourth child in a merchant family from southern China’s Guangdong province, as reported by Forbes.

At age six, he began helping with his father’s business, which dealt in gold, silver, and currency exchange. Skilled in mental arithmetic from a young age, he had learned gold inspection, smelting, and refining by 12.

At 20, he left for Hong Kong with HK$1,000 (US$128) he had saved from years of working in the family business.

Within less than a year, he had earned enough money to send back home to support his family and ventured into the hardware industry and import-export trade.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Lee recognized the potential for growth in the real estate sector, so he partnered with a few friends to found Sun Hung Kai Properties.

As its vice chairman and managing director, he was responsible for site planning, land acquisition, and property sales. He also collaborated with banks to introduce installment payment options, making homeownership more accessible to the public.

He later left the firm in 1973 and established his flagship company, Henderson Land Development, in 1976.

Lee was the richest person in Asia in 1996 and 1997 and the fourth wealthiest in the world in 1996. He was also known by other nicknames such as "Asia’s god of stocks" and "Hong Kong’s Warren Buffett."

He is survived by two sons, Peter and Martin Lee, who now jointly run his Henderson empire, and three daughters.

According to Forbes' February rankings, Lee was the second-richest person in Hong Kong. His net worth was estimated at US$30 billion before his death.

Opening Statement by ABG President at the Joint Consultation Moderator Meeting

Sir Jerry Mateparae, Distinguished Moderator, the Honourable James Marape, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Foreign Missions, distinguished dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen. 

First I would like to thank you Sir Jerry for this most unique opportunity to present our case in this very historical meeting. It is a historical event because you are here on our invitation to broker this dialogue. It is particularly significant as this is very much, the last leg of our journey. 

Secondly, I welcome the presence of representatives of the international community especially the friends of Bougainville who stood behind us to bring about a truce and ceasefire and to pave the way for negotiations. 

Many of us present here today have personal experience of those negotiations up to and including the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement. 

I thank the National Government for inviting the signatories to the Peace Agreement to witness the opening ceremony of this moderation. As one of the key negotiators in those days, I still remember, we never argued to implement our part of the bargain, and I still remember I had to meet the BPA commitments as my part of the bargain. And in the same spirit, Honorable Prime Minister, I now expect your Government to take ownership and endorse independence in this 11th parliament. 

Prime Minister, I appeal to you to take the Bougainville referendum results and pass it to the National Minister for Bougainville Affairs to present to the National Parliament for endorsement through this moderation process in the same manner the National Constitution was amended to give effect to the Bougainville Peace Agreement. 

By this action of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea, to amend the Constitution in 2001, PNG was probably the first independent state anywhere to have accorded the UN Charter right and principle of self-determination of peoples to its own people under its domestic laws and regulations. 

We recognize that the sessional order is a process that will happen in the national parliament and while we appreciate the engagement in this particular subject, it has diverted our attention from the core agenda of the political settlement on independence. The referendum Independence result must be endorsed. In the spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, the two governments can jointly decide as part of the consultations to reach agreement on a bilateral relationship for independence for Bougainville outside of parliament. 

Bougainville’s agenda is independence and in our post-referendum consultations we have made this clear, resulting in joint agreements such as the Wabag roadmap and the Era Kone Covenant. Therefore, it is my expectation that the moderation process will have to address the Bougainville independence issue. 

I thank the signatory countries that witnessed the Peace Agreement, for your commitment. I trust that as the witnesses to the BPA, you will respect the Bougainville people’s democratic choice for Independence, decided through a constitutionally granted referendum for independence. I am aware that some countries are already implicated in pushing their neo-colonial interests in Bougainville and I ask that you refrain from interfering. 

Sir Jerry, my people have set 1st September 2027, as the date for independence to take effect. This decision is consistent with the jointly agreed Referendum Results Implementation Roadmap, commonly known as the ‘Wabag Roadmap’, that set the window of ‘no earlier than 2025, no later than 2027’, for the declaration of independence. As President, I will uphold the decision of my people throughout these moderation consultations. 

I look forward that this moderation process will conclude with an agreement on the independence package for Bougainville. 

The Bougainville Peace Agreement is a political settlement that has three pillars; Weapons Disposal, Autonomy and Referendum. Out of the three pillars, the Referendum pillar was the key pillar that held the commitment of all Bougainvilleans to the peace process, by guaranteeing in the National Constitution, a choice of separate independence for Bougainville. 

The definition of independence was defined by the Government of PNG as, ‘An independent nation state with sovereign powers and laws, recognized under international law and by other sovereign states to be an independent state, separate from the State of Papua New Guinea.’ The people voted for independence and to propose any other option in this moderation is detrimental to the peace process.  

We all know Papua New Guinea is going to celebrate its 50 years independence anniversary. In the case of Bougainville, this marks more than 50 years of struggle for independence within Papua New Guinea. It is important to remember that Bougainville leaders have lobbied for Bougainville’s Independence well before PNG’s Independence without any recognition from international bodies.  

In conclusion, Mr Moderator, as far as I am concerned, the process of negotiating independence was concluded with the referendum. My understanding is that this moderation is about reaching agreement on implementing the referendum result of independence. Therefore, my focus in this moderation is to define the new relationship between Bougainville and Papua New Guinea as two independent sovereign states. This relationship can be captured through an independence package for Bougainville. 

Bougainville has done its part in this peace process. It is now your turn. 

May God continue to bless Bougainville and Papua New Guinea. 

His Excellency Hon. Ishmael Toroama, MHR 

President

https://abg.gov.pg/index.php?/news/read/opening-statement-by-abg-president-at-the-joint-consultation-moderator-meeting

TIME FOR PNG TO STAND TOGETHER IN THE MOST CIVILISED WAY TO TELL THE PRIME MINISTER AND NEC AND PARLIAMENT TO SAY... ENOUGH

... TOO MUCH MEDDLING IN THE CONSTITUTION AND MAKING LAWS TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR BAD LAWS AND POLICIES MUST STOP. 

==========*****=========*****============

Posted by Pamba Kapiye...

Breaking News: Amendment of NEC Act means dictatorship - You can't challenge govt's NEC decisions in court.

By Senior Lawyer Anthony Rake.

THE National Executive Council Act was just amended last week by this government without much debate to include a provision that says that any NEC decision is non-justiceable. 

This means that any NEC decision now will not be able to be challenged in a court of law, including appointments of senior government bureaucrats, or further obtaining NEC approved loans outside the scope of our Fiscal Responsibility Act, which of course was amended more than once to continue get loans, and just to do anything and everything they (NEC) wishes to do.

Meanwhile, also in the same week, a day apart, the Constitution was also successfully repealed to disallow any Vote of No Confidence.

Effectively, the two arms of our government, the Executive and the Legislature, are immune from scrutiny and accountability.

Is a very scary country now we are heading to. The people the NEC appoints can't be even scrutinized. They will appoint whoever they want and that no one has the power to challenge appointments. In a way, every head of department and government organization will be picked by them, whether maritarious or not, and effectively, all state institutions shall follow the orders by the NEC, of which, the Prime Minister is the chairman!

What is left of once an independent country now will be left with a total dictatorship, controlling all state institutions. You can't go against. If you do, the NEC will remove you and put another person, which is non-justiceable (meaning no one can challenge that in court) or other independent authority for that matter.

When VoNC is given less chance, and when NEC's decisions are non-justiceable, then you are definitely talking about a dictatorship! Even the electoral commissioner will be on the mercy of the Government. Or the Police Committal or the Ombudsman Commissioner.

Corruption can take its cause, which is a natural child of the laws they are introducing.

Is this the kind of country we want for our children? The recklessness of this government to remain in power and do whatever it wants without accountability and scrutiny is very scary. God help us🇵🇬😭..

Ends ..

LAW AND ORDER CRISIS: WHO IS REALLY TO BLAME?

While freedom of movement is a constitutional right, it has become alarmingly clear that certain provinces are now shutting their doors to outsiders. This is not an attack on national unity, nor is it a random act of discrimination it is a direct response to the law and order crisis that has been ignored for far too long.

STOP BLAMING PROVINCES THAT ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THEMSELVES

Politicians and citizens alike are quick to condemn provinces that are taking drastic measures to protect their people. But before pointing fingers, let’s ask the hard questions:

●Why has law and order deteriorated to the point where people feel unsafe in their own country?

●Why are provinces resorting to shutting their borders?

●Why are some provinces peaceful while others are overrun with crime and violence?

It is easy to criticize these provinces for “discrimination,” but they are only reacting to a national crisis that politicians have failed to address. Instead of blaming them, we should be asking:

●Why is my province struggling with crime?

●Why are my people leaving for other provinces?

●Why is my government failing to provide safety and opportunities for its own citizens?

IF YOU WANT CHANGE, FIX YOUR OWN BACKYARD FIRST

Rather than shifting blame, politicians and citizens need to take responsibility and demand real solutions:

 Improve law and order in your own province.
 Create jobs and economic opportunities to reduce unnecessary migration.
 Strengthen border security to prevent criminals from moving freely.
 Reintroduce the Vagrancy Act to manage migration and lawlessness.
 Give provinces autonomy to control their security and development.

THE HARSH REALITY

If law and order continues to deteriorate, more provinces will take drastic measures to protect their people. National unity will not be saved by simply quoting constitutional rights it will only be restored when every province is safe, livable, and economically stable for its own people.

This is the time for all Members of Parliament to take responsibility and address the law and order crisis in their own provinces and districts. Improve security, create employment opportunities for your constituents, and repatriate unemployed vagrants who have migrated to other provinces. Strengthen border security, reintroduce the Vagrancy Act, and push for regional autonomy so provinces can control their borders, manage their economies, protect their land, safeguard their interests, and most importantly, ensure the safety of their people.

Instead of blaming provinces for reacting to crime, ask why crime is out of control in the first place. Fix that problem, and no one will have to shut their doors. Enough of excuses and stop blaming others. 

See less

— feeling sad in Port Moresby.

Lino Jeremaih Tom - Wabag MP & Peoples Party Leader

By Lino Jeremaih Tom - Wabag MP & Peoples Party Leader

Freedom of movement (section 52) is a fundamental human right but is qualified in our jurisdiction under section 38 of our Constituition. This qualification as stipulated in section 38 is subject to some restrictions and these are clearly articulated in section 38 amongst which, are public safety and order. Now these restrictions can only be imposed through parliament under special circumstances like a State of Emergency etc. Doing it without the parliament’s approval is illegal.

This event in Vanimo is a “watershed moment” in the short history of our nation when people decided to usurp the powers of Parliament and must not be taken lightly. This is a first of its kind. This event has transpired because people have risen to take preemptive and precautionary measures to protect themselves in a gross, uncivil and illegitimate way. Do we blame the people? Yes we do because they have taken law into their own hands because they feel the government and institutions of state will no longer protect their lives and properties and they, unlike the rest including leaders, can see the unprecedented rise in law and order issues and are distressed, very anxious, and afraid. They have now taken a precautionary but somewhat discriminatory and a much more unsavoury way to address this. This precedent maybe quite detrimental to our national unity and goodwill but when desperation sets in, unprecedented measures will be taken as demonstrated by these people.

I hear Governor Bird’s lamentations of unfair wealth distribution and rightly so. But, where are all the Ministers from the coast? They in fact, make up the entire Senior Economic Ministerial Portfolios in cabinet! Why should we blame PM Marape as he’s just one man amongst all these heavy weights from the coast? The last thing we would want is blaming the failures of our system on the ordinary people and taking it out on them. Such draconian discriminatory public measures incited by the good governor of WSP will only destroy our fragile union. Maybe, it’s about time the leaders in Cabinet should rise up and call for a more equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth! Maybe, they should demand more drastic measures to be taken in the fight against this law and order mess! Maybe, they should grow some balls and call a spade a spade and declare that PNG is in a “Law and Order Crisis” and declare a nationwide SOE. We can then vindicate our people in Vanimo for their stance and start curtailing all qualified rights such as the freedom of movement and deal with this mess that we’re in. Supporting illegal and divisive measures like this will only destroy our nation and its fragile union. One wrong doesn’t right another!

If the leaders fail, the people will always rise when they see overt injustice and take law into their own hands as in this case in point and a myriad of other grotesque examples we see daily in social media everyday! At the end of the day, the ordinary and innocent people will suffer as a result for our government’s failure. The majority of the highlanders are civilized and peace loving! The Governor of West Sepik who is in government should ask the Government to be more pragmatic and address these issues instead of fomenting regionalism and discriminatory segregation that may have devastating spillover effects in other parts of our country. Have we run out of ideas to resort to these low, cheap and despicable measures? It’s in times of crisis that the people must see the true essence and strength of Government!