Wabag MP Dr. Lino Tom: Preach and Practice Papua New Guinea as a Christian Country

 

By Steven Kenda | PNG SUN |

Wabag MP Dr. Lino Tom has publicly criticized Prime Minister James Marape and his government, accusing them of hypocrisy in professing Christian values while failing to uphold them through their actions.

Speaking during a media conference following the Vote of No Confidence (VONC) proceedings, Dr. Lino voiced growing frustrations over the rising cost of living and the government's perceived failure to deliver on promises.

“You can’t preach Christian values and act in contradiction to them,” Dr. Lino said. “If we are truly a Christian nation, then our actions must reflect that.”

With essential goods and services becoming increasingly unaffordable, the Wabag MP said families across the country are bearing the brunt of economic hardship.

“Prices have doubled,” he noted, describing the daily struggles faced by ordinary Papua New Guineans.

Dr. Lino’s remarks echo the sentiments of many citizens who feel disillusioned by what they see as empty promises from the government.

He stressed the need for genuine accountability and urged leaders to match their rhetoric with tangible results.

“Our people have been patient, but it’s time for results,” he said. “The public deserves to see real change.”

As economic pressures mount, Dr. Lino’s bold stance is likely to intensify scrutiny on the government’s performance and reignite calls for immediate action to ease the financial burden on the population.

Five Prominent Opposition leaders are rallying behind the impending Vote of No Confidence (VONC)

 

By WANPIS AKO| PNG SUN|

Five Prominent Opposition leaders are rallying behind the impending Vote of No Confidence (VONC), calling it a national duty to redirect the country’s leadership and future.

In a media conference moments ago at Crown Hotel in Port Moresby, alternate Prime Minister, Sir Peter Ipatas issued a passionate reminder to all Members of Parliament (MPs) that they hold a sacred mandate from the people. "This is a moment to save our country. Each leader must now decide — do we continue down this path, or do we answer the cry of our citizens?" he said. He stressed that the government in power during the elections remains the same, and only God knows what lies ahead unless urgent action is taken.

Taking the cue from Sir, Peter, Wabag MP Dr. Lino Tom described the current political climate as one of national frustration and dissent. "Politics is about making promises and delivering for the people. Unfortunately, too many promises remain unfulfilled. The people are watching, and they are the best judges," he said. Dr. Tom urged leaders to put national interest above tribal or regional loyalties, warning that self-interest is weakening the fabric of the country. "We are at a crossroads. This is a time to objectively assess the government’s performance and make a bold decision."

Hiri-Koiari MP, Keith Iduhu reinforced the legality of the VONC under Section 63 of the Organic Law, stating that the prerogative lies with Parliament. "This is a rare moment to make a big call. Vote with conscience — vote for the future of our nation."

Abau MP, Sir Puka Temu, who moved the VONC motion, called it a “national call,” not a personal attack on Prime Minister James Marape. "This is not about the PM’s office but about the direction of our nation. I have spoken to many MPs and citizens — they are calling for change. It’s time to humble ourselves and respond to the national cry."

Deputy Opposition Leader James Nomane echoed the urgency, stating bluntly that Prime Minister Marape is not fit to continue leading the country. "This government has failed to deliver. From cash flow problems to broken promises on agriculture and jobs, where have you been in the last six years?" Nomane asked. "In 2027, nothing will change unless we act now. We are leaders, and the people expect us to be brave enough to make the tough decisions."

With the clock ticking toward the VONC, all eyes are now on Parliament as leaders face a defining moment — one that may reshape the future of Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea declares Christian identity in constitutional amendment

Papua New Guinea legislators overwhelming voted in favor of the constitutional amendment to recognise the Melanesian nation as a Christian state. Photo: Supplied

Papua New Guinea's Parliament has passed a constitutional amendment formally recognising the nation as a Christian country.

The decision, made on Tuesday (March 12), saw an overwhelming majority of 80 votes in favour and only four against.

The amendment introduces a declaration in the preamble of the Constitution, stating: "(We) acknowledge and declare God, the Father; Jesus Christ, the Son; and Holy Spirit, as our Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe and the source of our powers and authorities, delegated to the people and all persons within the geographical jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea."

In addition, Christianity will now be reflected in the Fifth Goal of the Constitution, and the Bible will be recognised as a national symbol.

Prime Minister James Marape, a vocal advocate for the amendment, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome.

"I am happy," he said.

"This constitutional amendment finally recognises our country as a Christian country. This reflects, in the highest form, the role Christian churches have played in our development as a country."

The amendment follows extensive consultations conducted by the PNG Constitutional Law Reform Commission in 2022.

Communities, churches, and civil society groups across the nation were engaged in discussions, with widespread support for the change.

Marape emphasised the historical and ongoing contributions of Christian churches to Papua New Guinea's unity and development.

"With so much diversity, languages, associated cultures, and tribal affiliations, no one can dispute the fact that Christian churches have anchored our country's unity and togetherness," he stated.

He also highlighted the role of churches in providing services in areas where government presence is limited.

Marape also clarified that the amendment does not infringe on the rights of individuals practicing other religions.

Section 45 of the PNG Constitution, which protects freedom of conscience, thought, and religion, remains intact.

SORCERY DISPLACES THOUSANDS IN MADANG

The fear of sorcery and sorcery-related killings has displaced thousands of people from their village in Madang province.

Over two thousand people including women and children are running from their own land as refugees, because of sorcery related killings in the Nahu-Rawa Local Level Government area of the Raikos District.

Former Nahu-Rawa LLG Vice President, Guyu Sapia, says he's currently taking care of some of them in a care center 2-kilometers out of the Ramu Sugar Township.

Fifty lives have been lost between 2012 and 2016 because of sorcery related payback killings.

This month three more people have been killed in relation to sorcery.

Locals want police to visit the are to arrest suspects and restore law and order.

NBC News - Celina Korei

POLICE COMMISSIONER CONDEMNS SORCERY-RELATED VIOLENCE AND KILLINGS IN ENGA

Police Commissioner David Manning has condemned the recent sorcery-related violence and killings in Enga province in relation to the death of Enga businessman Jacob Luke of Mapai Transport.

He said nine women were rounded up and tortured over the death of the Engan businessman.

In a statement today, Mr. Manning said Enga police intervened when news of the torture reached Wabag town, however, were only able to rescue five badly injured women who were tortured.

Four died and were buried before police arrived.

Mr. Manning said “This barbaric, senseless and evil act is an insult to the memory of a great man from Enga. Jacob Luke was kind, honest, and a hard-working man who was against such evil acts."

“I have been assured by the Enga Provincial Commander that all who participated in the torture and murder will be arrested and charged."

Mr. Manning said this evil act cannot continue and the police will take the strongest stand.

He said police will not rest until every one involved in this evil act are arrested, charged and prosecuted.

NBC News

Papua Barat: Tempat Terjadinya Genosida

"Melalui transmigrasi, kita akan mencoba mewujudkan apa yang telah dijanjikan, yaitu menyatukan semua kelompok etnis menjadi satu bangsa... kelompok etnis yang berbeda pada akhirnya akan hilang karena integrasi... dan akan ada satu jenis manusia."

Itu adalah pernyataan Martano, Menteri Transmigrasi Indonesia, 20 Maret 1985.

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Pemerkosaan di Papua Barat

Oleh Marcus Colchester

Meningkatnya program Transmigrasi baru-baru ini di provinsi Irian Jaya yang dilanda pertikaian telah menunjukkan dengan gamblang signifikansi program tersebut bagi militer. Program transmigrasi didorong di provinsi tersebut sebagai bagian integral dari upaya Pemerintah untuk mengintegrasikan secara paksa masyarakat yang membangkang ke dalam tatanan nasional, yang secara terang-terangan menentang hak-hak mereka yang diakui secara internasional atas tanah mereka dan atas penentuan nasib sendiri.

Tiga setengah juta orang Paguana adalah ras Melanesia, yang berbicara lebih dari seribu bahasa yang berbeda dan terkait. Karena mereka beragam secara budaya dan bahasa, mereka mendiami hutan yang sama dan dataran tinggi yang curam yang membentang di tanah yang dulunya dikenal sebagai Nugini, yang sekarang terbagi menjadi Irian Jaya (Pupua Barat) dan Papua Nugini (PNC). Populasi di bagian barat diperkirakan mencapai 1,2 juta dari sekitar 800.000 adalah penduduk tradisional pulau-pulau tersebut, sisanya adalah pendatang baru. Orang Papua Barat tetap menjadi salah satu suku yang paling terisolasi dan tradisional di dunia, dengan kesetiaan yang kuat terhadap cara hidup leluhur mereka yang menemukan ekspresi yang kuat selama era kolonial dalam gerakan revitalisasi yang dikenal sebagai kultus kargo.

PEMBAGIAN: WARISAN KOLONIAL

Belanda memasukkan Papua Barat ke dalam kekaisaran mereka yang sedang berkembang pada abad ke-19, dan, pada tahun 1848, membuat perjanjian dengan Jerman dan Inggris untuk membagi pulau itu menjadi tiga bagian. Sebagai akibat dari Perang Dunia, kedua bagian timur masuk ke dalam kedaulatan Australia. Bagian barat dipertahankan oleh Belanda sebagai koloni terakhir yang tersisa di Hindia Timur, sementara Republik Indonesia tumbuh dalam kekacauan setelah penarikan Jepang. Upaya Belanda untuk mengembangkan Papua Barat, yang tidak berarti pada masa sebelum perang, ketika itu hanya diklaim sebagai penyangga terhadap perambahan teritorial, hampir tidak lebih efektif di era pascaperang. Belanda tidak melakukan apa pun selain mendirikan beberapa kota pesisir dan mengizinkan beberapa eksplorasi minyak.

PENGKHIANATAN DI PBB

Meningkatnya tekanan di Negara-negara Inisiatif untuk dekolonisasi Wilayah Ketiga, terkait dengan tekanan dari kelompok-kelompok ekonomi, baik transnasional maupun di AS dan Indonesia, memaksa Belanda untuk mengkodekan Papua Barat ke thi pada tahun 1962.

PBB, pada gilirannya, menyerahkan daerah itu ke dalam wilayah Indonesia pada tahun 1963, "dengan pengertian bahwa akan ada pemungutan suara pada tahun 1969 untuk menguji pendapat tentang Irian Barat". "Tindakan Pilihan Bebas" tahun 1969, yang menyusul enam tahun penindasan yang kejam, terkenal sebagai lelucon yang lengkap dan tragis di mana hanya 1.025 orang Paguana yang dipilih dengan cermat yang benar-benar memiliki hak suara. Suara bulat mereka yang mendukung pencaplokan ke dalam wilayah Indonesia diratifikasi oleh Majelis Umum. Setelah melepaskan kendali atas daerah itu dari satu wilayah kolonial, ON segera menyerahkannya kepada wilayah lain.

FLANDER SUMBER DAYA

Sumber daya alam yang belum dimanfaatkan di Papua Barat merupakan salah satu alasan utama mengapa Papua Barat dianeksasi oleh Indonesia. Wilayah ini telah menjadi provinsi yang paling menguntungkan di Indonesia. Wilayah ini menghasilkan ekspor minyak, timah, emas, tembaga, dan mineral lainnya dalam jumlah besar. Terdapat perdagangan kulit buaya dan kulit penyu yang berkembang pesat. Sebagian besar tanah suku diambil alih sebagai perkebunan kelapa sawit.

Penebangan hutan di Papua Barat telah merusak hutan-hutan di sana. Daerah-daerah dataran rendah yang luas telah diberikan konsesi. Namun, untuk mendorong perdagangan kayu, kontrol normal yang mengatur masalah hak penebangan telah dicabut. Perusahaan-perusahaan yang beroperasi di Papua Barat secara terang-terangan mengabaikan hak-hak adat dan hukum penduduk setempat dan, lebih sering daripada tidak, menghindari pembayaran kompensasi atas kerusakan yang disebabkan pada lingkungan mereka. Di daerah-daerah tersebut, penduduk setempat telah ditipu dalam pemilihan tenaga kerja, sementara di tempat lain mereka dibayar dengan upah yang sangat rendah untuk menghancurkan hutan mereka sendiri.

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TOK BLONG SPPF adalah bahasa Inggris pidgin yang digunakan di banyak bagian Pasifik. Secara harfiah dapat diterjemahkan sebagai "pembicaraan ini ditujukan kepada SPPF atau. Buletin SPPP. TOK BLONG SPPF diterbitkan empat kali setahun oleh South Pacific Peoples Foundation of Canada, 407-620 View Victoria, BC, Canada VSW LI dan tersedia bagi para donatur SPPF (minimal 310 tahun). SPPF hadir untuk mengangkat isu-isu kritis di Pasifik Selatan kepada khalayak Kanada melalui berbagai metode pendidikan publik, dan untuk membantu mendapatkan bantuan keuangan, teknis, dan bantuan lain dari Kanada yang relevan ke Pasifik Selatan untuk membantu penduduk pulau dalam pengembangan diri mereka sendiri. TOK BLONG SFPF disunting oleh Phil Esmonde.

Parliamentary Opposition is urging the government to listen to the voices of Papua New Guineans who are calling for a change

 By Malon Ere | PNG SUN|

As the Vote-of-No-onfidence (VoNC) against Prime Minister James Marape is looming, the Parliamentary Opposition is urging the government to listen to the voices of Papua New Guineans who are calling for a change.

Former Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, in a press conference today in Port Moresby, bluntly called on PM Marape to resign from office.

This called was labelled by Pangu Party as 'rubbish and baseless.'

It, he said, is clear that the country has changed over the past six years.

O’Neill pointed out that during Marape’s leadership, global prices for key commodities like coffee, cocoa, gold, copper, oil, and gas have been high. “As a result, government revenue has increased,” he said.

However, O’Neill criticized the government, saying the increase in revenue does not reflect the reality of the country’s situation. “We still run a deficit budget of 4% to 5% every year.

The government continues to spend more than it plans,” he said.

He also claimed that the current government has taken loans totaling up to K17 billion, which he says will be a burden on future generations.

According to O’Neill, no new foreign investment has entered the country in the last six years.

He added that both social and economic indicators show poor performance. “Education standards are falling, health services are nearly non-existent, and basic services are not reaching many communities, towns, and cities,” he said.

“There is also a total breakdown in law and order,” O’Neill added, referring to the growing number of crimes reported daily in the media.

He warned that the country’s population is growing fast, with some estimates suggesting a 4% annual increase, which contributes to high unemployment.

O’Neill reflected on his own time as Prime Minister, saying he stepped down after listening to the people. “It was not an easy decision, but I felt I was doing the right thing,” he said.

He also spoke about the importance of Pangu Pati in the nation’s history. He urged government MPs to act with integrity. “The people gave you the power. Now it’s time to listen to them and act,” he said.

He stated that Prime Minister Marape has much more to contribute to the country but for now the people have lost confidence in him. “Let someone else lead until the 2027 election,” he suggested.

“There is no shame in resigning. It takes strength and courage to know when to step down,” O’Neill said.

In closing, he called on Marape to take responsibility during the VoNC process. “We are happy for change to happen from within. There are good leaders on the government side, and they must stand up for the country,” he said.