A significant controversy has erupted over the government’s decision to implement dual voting methods for the upcoming Local Level Government (LLG) President elections. The debate, sparked by North Fly MP James Donald’s vocal opposition, has drawn sharp contrasts between government officials and critics. Mr. Donald, leader of the People’s Reform Party, today (Tuesday, June 18) lambasted the government’s approach, calling it “indecisive and a clear demonstration of poor leadership.” His criticism is focused on the decision to allow the Highlands region and Morobe province to elect their LLG presidents through ward councilors, while other provinces will have direct elections by…
Author: Joshua ARLO
Amid political tensions between the Marape-Rosso government and the Alternative Government, and the country kick-starting the 2024 National Census roll-out program, today’s public holiday, officially gazetted, is to commemorate King Charles III’s official birthday. King Charles has carried on the tradition of Trooping the Colour, which dates back to 1748. As a result, he does indeed mark two birthdays – the official one, which traditionally takes place on June 16th, and his actual date of birth, on November 14. On June 9th, 2023, Chief Secretary to Government, Ivan Pomaleu, had announced the clarification of dates, advising that the National Executive…
A man has been arrested and charged with incest under Section 223 of the Criminal Code Act, (amended Act 27 of 2002), according to Central Provincial Police Commander, Senior Inspector Joseph Salle. The Central Police apprehended the suspect following a formal report lodged by the victim’s mother. The incident occurred on April 2nd and May 18th, 2024, between 10pm and 11pm at Amau village in the Abau District, Central Province. The 13-year-old victim revealed to her mother that she was allegedly sexually assaulted and penetrated by her uncle, her mother’s brother, on ten separate occasions across Amau and Sapoa villages.…
Finschhafen MP Rainbo Paita, a nominee for Alternative Prime Minister, has openly challenged Prime Minister, and PANGU leader, James Marape’s claims of unanimous support within PANGU Pati. Referring to Marape’s statement issued on June 9th, 2024, Paita criticized Marape’s assertions that all PANGU MPs supported his leadership, noting that he and 11 other MPs who opposed Marape were not given the opportunity to vote during the critical caucus meeting. Paita emphasized that, contrary to Marape’s statements, their dissent and right to vote were unjustly ignored, thereby misrepresenting the true level of support Marape has within the party. “Mr Marape proudly…
West New Britain Governor, Sasindran Muthuvel, has made a strong push for the expansion of National Identification (NID) registration in the province, announcing a substantial allocation of K1 million to support the rollout. The initiative underscores the critical importance of biometric identification for all citizens, with K600, 000 earmarked specifically for acquiring advanced NID registration kits from the USA. “It’s very critical to have NID for all our citizens,” stated Muthuvel. “The K600,000 is mainly to get the NID registration kit, which registers not just names but also fingerprints and eye scans, ensuring we have complete biometric information.” Currently, West…
The Prime Minister, James Marape, has said he is looking forward to working with the newly elected Maprik MP, Libert Kapris to develop the electorate, especially in the agriculture space. The new MP came out victoriously on Friday, June 7th, in the by-election after the seat had been left vacant by the late Gabriel Kapris, who passed away in 2023 due to a heart attack at the Port Moresby General Hospital on August 13th last year. Mr Libert Kapris ran under the People’s First Party, which is led by Yangoru-Sausia MP, and International Trade and Investment Minister, Richard Maru, a…
New Ireland Governor and veteran politician, affectionately known as ‘the last man standing’, Sir Julius Chan has criticized fake news announcing he had passed away. The alternate government’s spokesman, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel dismissed it as another hoax. “I firstly want to thank Governor Sassi Mutuvel of Western Britain for the encouragement and I think together we confirm that I’m still alive, but more than that I just simply want to thank you for your care and I want to let you know that you’re not the only one,” said Sir Julius Chan today. “All my families all…
News circulating on social media regarding the passing of New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan, is fake, says PNG’s alternate government. Today, spokesman for the Opposition, West New Britain Governor Sasindran Muthuvel, this morning called for the public to be weary of a repeated fake news offender from New Ireland Province with ulterior motives. Mr Muthuvel made this call after another shameless post alleging Sir Julius Chan passed on at 2:30am this morning, and was circulated widely on social media causing fear among many people. “It continues to baffle me the amount of times this individual has written and circulated…
Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has praised outgoing Chinese Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency, Zeng Fanhua for strengthening the bilateral relationship between Papua New Guinea and China. Minister Tkatchenko highlighted the numerous successful visits and agreements, including MOUs signed during the tenure of Ambassador Zeng, reflecting the strong China-PNG partnership. “You put your heart, your strength and all your ability in making the relationship between China and PNG bigger and better than it its ever been before,” Minister Tkatchenko told Ambassador Zeng during his farewell function. “That shows our relationship as well with our two heads of government.” “Ambassador, your…
Police in the Central Province have arrested and charged a man for attempted rape, with the Provincial Police Commander confirming the suspect now awaits his court appearance. Central PPC, Senior Inspector Joseph Salle said the adult male suspect allegedly attempted to rape a female victim at Bereina, in the Kairuku District of Central Province. “Police alleged that on May 03, 2024, between 3 pm and 4 pm at the Bereina Station in the Central Province, the named suspect from the same location attempted to rape the victim whilst she was under the influence of alcohol and intoxicated.” “The victim then…