In a candid and impassioned press conference on Monday in Port Moresby, Kandep MP Don Polye, a senior leader in Papua New Guinea’s government, laid bare the country’s most pressing issues, calling for immediate and coordinated action from all political factions, further clarifying that he has not joined the Opposition camp, as alluded to on social media, amid ongoing political negotiations related to the Vote of No Confidence which is anticipated to a main agenda in this Parliament sitting period after Parliament resumes today (Tuesday, May 28th). “No, I’m not in the Opposition. I’m a PANGU Pati member trying to…
Author: Joshua ARLO
A joint task force of police and defense force personnel is set for operations related to the Vote of No Confidence (VONC). The Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) has deployed up to 120 personnel to support the 400 police officers involved in maintaining peace and order starting today (Tuesday, May 28th) when Parliament resumes. Northern Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Peter Guinness, who is the acting Commander of NCD and Central Province division, has assured the public that the police will remain neutral throughout this period. In a press conference along with NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika, and the…
East Sepik Governor Allan Bird has publicly declared he has relinquished his nomination as the alternate Prime Minister nominee. This follows local media reports this afternoon that after long continuous meetings between members of the opposition, Opposition Leader Douglas Tomuriesa had announced the nomination of Former Finance Minister and Finschhafen Mp, Rainbo Paita as the Alternate Prime Minister, should they be successful following the vote of no-confidence motion. The Members of the Opposition Caucus are camping at the Sanctuary Hotel. Governor Bird issued a statement tonight confirming this. “As is customary in our politics, the person with the most support…
Bulolo MP Sam Basil Jnr has issued a statement today expressing concern about spin doctors prompting trivial issues while also commending the various MPs who left the Government as patriots who are listening, hearing, and seeing the plight of the people. Mr Basil, an opposition member and first time parliamentarian, said these MPs have made decisions that have now affected their existing positions in government such as Ministers, Vice Ministers, Chairman of Committees and also in their respective political parties. In the statement, Mr Basil said the decisions made comes with risks to their districts and their people, and “we…
Opposition Leader, Douglas Tomuriesa in a statement tonight, has commended a move by a number of Members of Parliament who have defected from the Government over the weekend. Mr Tomuriesa especially commended the leadership displayed by the six Ministers who have put their duty to country first, and the other leaders who have chosen to rise to the occasion and chart a new course for the country. The six ministers who left the Marape-Rosso government are Energy Minister Robert Naguri, Higher Education, Research, Science, Technology and Sports Minister Don Polye, Finance Minister Rainbo Paita, Culture and Tourism Minister Isi Henry…
The United States of America has assured PNG of its support towards emergency and rescue efforts in the Porgera District of Enga Province, following the massive landslide that has claimed close to 200 people so far. Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko has welcomed this support and commitment by the United States government, following an official statement from US President John Biden who expressed his heartfelt condolences for the huge death losses. The devastating landslide occurred around 3am on Friday, May 24th, destroyed up to a hundred houses and homes, burying people under stones and rubble in Mulitaka village, about 40…
Bogia Open MP and Minister for Energy, Robert Naguri, joined the National Coalition Camp this morning (Sunday, May 26th). This latest exodus makes the 6th State Minister leaving the Marape-Rosso Government, indicating a show of no confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister (PM) James Marape, who has likened these defectors as trimming ‘fat’ off the government. Wosera-Gawi MP Joseph Yopiyopi and Goilala MP Casmiro Aiya also made their commitment to change the government by joining the Sanctuary Camp as of this morning. With the pulling out of the three MPs, the Marape Camp currently has 38 MPs. This number…
Prime Minister (PM) James Marape has described the departure of 18 MPs, including five ministers, from the Pangu Pati camp on Saturday night, as a ‘blessing in disguise’. He likened them to ‘excess fat in government’ that needs to be ‘trimmed’. Social media has been on fire since last night over the defection, as the lead-up to the Vote of No Confidence (VONC), which is anticipated to happen after Parliament resumes on Tuesday, May 28th. Police also have been given operational orders towards the VONC, as the country waits to see if a change in government will take place. The…
The country’s newest police officers, who graduated on Friday, May 24th, from the National Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the Bomana Police Training College, in the National Capital District, have been urged to remain disciplined, committed, and loyal in their law enforcement duties. Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Junior, the guest of honor at their passing out parade, emphasized this message to the 217 police graduates, 26 of whom are female, in the presence of Police Commissioner David Manning, heads of various law and justice agencies, diplomatic missions, and the graduates’ families and friends. “I want to challenge and…
The first intake of the Police Recruits 2023 will pass out today (Friday, May 24, 2024) from the National Centre of Excellence, formerly known as the Bomana Police Training College, just outside the city of Port Moresby. The Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) anticipates the presence of Prime Minister James Marape today to present awards at the pass-out parade ceremony for the first intake of 223 police recruits. Police recruitment in Papua New Guinea has been an ongoing initiative the Government of Papua New Guinea has put in place since 2022. The main purpose of PNG police recruitment is…