Pacific Journalism Review raises bar on West Papua, corruption issues

By PMC Editor – July 26, 2016

PMC chair A/Professor Camille Nakhid launches PJR with the editor, Professor David Robie, in the background. Image: Del Abcede/PMC

Pacific Media Centre chair Dr Camille Nakhid has praised the latest edition of Pacific Journalism Review with a launch coinciding with the Fourth World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC) in Auckland.

She said it was a popular journal globally as well as in the Asia-Pacific region, and noted the presence of many international contributors to the latest edition at the launch.

“This journal has progressed through the persistence of Professor David Robie, Dr Philip Cass and Professor Wendy Bacon with support of the wonderful production efforts of Del Abcede and proof reading of Susan O’Rourke,” said Dr Nakhid, who is an associate professor in AUT’s School of Social Science and Public Policy at Auckland University of Technology.

She said this latest issue of the journal, the only one regularly publishing New Zealand journalism research, was timely as it coincided with the WJEC conference and an Australian and Pacific Preconference.

There had been much attention on alleged corruption in New Zealand under the current government, particularly in reference to the Panama Papers, and ongoing corruption in the Pacific and wider Oceania region.

“This issue of the journal covers articles by those journalists and media researchers who have brought these issues to light,” she said.

“The articles also discuss the lives of journalists and their risks and dangers, our damage to the environment and many other issues.

“We need young journalists to live to become old journalists and so we very much welcome this journal and the launch of this current issue theme titled ‘Endangered Journalists’.”

July 26, 2016 0

PNG Opposition Plans New Move Against PM

Pasifik.News – The Papua New Guinea Opposition says it is still determined to remove Peter O’Neill as Prime Minister before the next election, despite failing in its motion of no-confidence.

Parliament last week voted overwhelmingly to keep Mr O’Neill in the job, 85 to 21.

But Opposition spokesman Wanpis Ako says people are demanding change. “We will push for another vote of no-confidence without naming an alternative Prime Minister when parliament resumes on August 9,” he told Pasifik News.

That would be inside the one-year grace period protecting the Government from no-confidence motions, but the Opposition believes it can still push for a caretaker leader.

It also intends to take legal action against the Speaker and Parliamentary Clerk for not allowing more MPs to debate last week’s motion.

But the Prime Minister says it’s time to get on with business.

“Despite the political events of the past two weeks, and recent disquiet in some sections of the community, matters have all culminated with the vote in the Parliament and this has been resolved decisively,” Mr O’Neill said.

It may not be that simple. Apart from the Opposition, some community groups are still pushing for him to step down and face questioning over allegations of corruption.

On his Facebook wall, the Secretary of the National Doctors’ Association Sam Yockopua insisted their action is not in breach of PNG law. “It is instead civil disobedience exercised as concerned professional citizens, which is allowed for, acting to display their conscience using their democratic and constitutional rights,” he wrote.

Mr O’Neill will soon unveil a new ministerial line-up made necessary by the defection of some MPs.
“The new lineup will place our Government in an even stronger position to communicate with relevant parties and resolve outstanding issues,” he said.

July 24, 2016 0

GERTAK, Sikap Politik atas Pembredelan Hak Kebebasan Berpendapat Masyarakat Papua

Gertak, Blog – Ditulis pada Juli 22, 2016

Gerakan Anti Perampasan Tanah Rakyat (GERTAK) Sinjai

Banyak pasal yang mengatur tentang Hak Asasi Manusia. Salah satunya adalah kebebasan mengeluarkan pendapat di depan umum. Kebebasan mengemukakan pendapat adalah hak setiap warga Negara untuk mengeluarkan pikiran atau gagasan dengan tulisan, lisan dan bentuk lainnya secara bebas dan bertanggung jawab serta tanpa ada tekanan dari siapapun. Sesuai dengan peraturan perundang undangan yang berlaku . Kebebasan berpendapat ditujukan untuk mewujudkan perlindungan yang konsisten .Kebebasan berpendapat dijamin secara konstutisional dalam UUD 1945 pasal 28 “Bahwa kebebasan berserikat dan berkumpul,mengeluarkan pikiran dengan lisan dan tulisan dan sebagaimana ditetapkan dengan undang-undang. Pengertian Kemerdekaan mengeluarkan pendapat dinyatakan dalam Pasal 1 (1) UU No. 9 Tahun 1998, bahwa kemerdekaan menyampaikan pendapat adalah hak setiap warga negara untuk menyampaikan pikiran dengan lisan, tulisan, dan sebagainya secara bebas dan bertanggung jawab sesuai dengan ketentuan peraturan perundang-undangan yang berlaku. Selain itu kebeasan mengeluarkan pendapat dimuka umum juga diterangkan dalam UU No.9 Tahun 1998.

Tindakan-tindakan represif dan militeristik yang di lakukan oleh aparat negara beserta ormas rasis reaksioner di yogyakarta tersebut merupakan upaya-upaya sitematis Negara Indonesia dalam melakukan teror dan intimidasi sebagai upaya pembungkaman ruang demokrasi dan pembungkaman terhadap kekritisan mahasiswa Papua dan masyarakat Indonesia pada umumnya. Dalam hal ini kami menilai negara telah gagal melindungi dan mensejahterahkan warga negaranya.
Maka dari itu kami dari fron GERTAK SINJAI menyatakan sikap:
1. Mengecam aparat negara dan ormas reaksioner di yogyakarta yang bertindak rasis dan menyebar isu provokatif di depan umum terhadap mahasiswa papua.
2. Mengecam segala bentuk penindasan yang di lakukan oleh aparat negara yang berselingkuh dengan borjuasi terhadap masyarakat indonesia dan merugikan negara.
2. Bahwa aparat negara(kepolisian DIY) telah melakukan pembiaran terhadap ormas reaksioner melakukan tindakan yang merusak nama baik dan melecehkan masyarakat papua manusia yang harus di hargai keberadaannya dengan menyebut orang papua sebagai monyet. Diamnya Negara Adalah Pelanggaran HAM.
3. Mendukung sepenuhnya mahasiswa papua dan masyarakat papua untuk menyatakan kemerdekaan dan menentukan nasib sendiri

Demikian pernyataan sikap GERTAK(gerakan anti perampasan tanah rakyat) sinjai.

19 juli 2016

Pimpinan GERTAK sinjai

Muhammad Anis

July 22, 2016 0

Vote of No Confidence Defeated

EMTV – 22/07/2016 Serah Aupong

The Vote of No Confidence has been defeated with an overwhelming 85 to 21 votes in favour of Peter O’Neill as Prime Minister in today’s special parliament sitting.

The opposition came into the chamber knowing they didn’t have the numbers to win but used the opportunity to air their frustrations against the Prime Minister.

At the end of the session, the opposition left disappointed not only at losing the vote but in what they claim as suppression to fully debate the motion.

The government did what they promised, hold together and defeat the Vote of No Confidence. However before the vote was taken, there was over an hour of heated debate which included pointing of fingers, out of order point of orders and swearing.

Keeping with the specifics of the court order, the speaker allowed debate before the vote was taken. Sam Basil as sponsor of the motion outlined the opposition’s reasons for the motion which included, the lack of debate of the 2016 budget, implementation of the Independent Commission Against Corruption, the Paraka payment issue, disbanding of taskforce sweep and the LNG revenue.

Then Kelly Naru, who had declared allegiance to the rule of law during the week of lobbying, outlined legal reasons for siding with O’Neill.

Following this, Kavieng member Ben Micah talked about telling the truth where he accused members of parliament of not taking into consideration the truth about issues that affect the nation.

From the government, leader of Government Business and Finance Minister, James Marape, was the only one who spoke formally during the debate.

He said the motion was “hollow” and was used to cause instability and chaos. He said the government has delivered on 90 per cent of its promises.

Towards the end of Marape’s speech, the speaker stopped debate and moved to take the vote.

This did not go down well with the opposition who still had plenty more to say.

Member for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah, accused the speaker of hijacking the parliament procedure.

His refusal to sit down, and the ensuring screaming match that followed from both sides of the house. In an attempt to restore order on the floor of parliament, the speaker stood up. According to parliamentary standing orders, when the speaker stands all members are to sit down.

After reminding the house of that standing order, the parliament quietened down and the vote was taken.

July 22, 2016 0

BREAKING: O’Neill Survives Vote of No Confidence

EMTV – 22/07/2016 Scott Waide 1586

The PNC led coalition of Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, has defeated a long awaited Vote of No Confidence motion, with 85 out of 106 members voting in favour of the government while 21 members of the opposition voted for the removal of the Prime Minister.

In a highly anticipated session peppered with personal accusations, colourful language and sarcasm delivered by both sides, the debate prior to the vote degenerated into a cacophony of yelling and more accusations.

Vanimo-Green MP, Belden Namah, expressed annoyance at the speaker saying adequate debate had not been allowed.

The disorder in the house forced the speaker to rise from his chair, as per parliamentary standing order 49, to call for order.

Earlier, the debate was opened by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Sam Basil. In a series of pointed statements he attacked the Prime Minister over his handling of the economy, LNG revenue and the allegations levelled against him.

“LNG revenues aren’t reaching our shores. Businesses owed money by government aren’t being paid,” he said.

In response to the opposition debate, Finance Minister, James Marape, told the house that ongoing attempts for the Vote of No Confidence had affected Papua New Guinea’s international image.

“Investor confidence has been impacted by headlines on the media and social media,” Marape said.

Marape’s statements come on the back of a statement by the Prime Minister yesterday, calling for stability in government.

Government numbers now remain solid with less than 10 months to go until national elections.

July 22, 2016 0

Vanuatu Fourth Happiest On The Planet

Pasifik.news – By Adam Boland – July 21, 2016

Vanuatu has been named the happiest country in the Asia Pacific region and fourth happiest in the world.

Australia didn’t even make the world’s top 100 while New Zealand came in at position 38.

The Happy Place Index measures life expectancy, human wellbeing and damage done to a country’s environmental footprint.

Vanuatu’s life expectancy is currently 71.3 years which is less than many countries in the region (Australians, for example, can expect to live to 82) but Vanuatu really shines in wellbeing and impact on the environment.

It’s not the first time the index has recognised Ni-Vanuatu as satisfied with their lives. Back in 2006, the country was named happiest in the world. Costa Rica was given the honour this year.

Authors of the index say one of Vanuatu’s strengths is that it prioritises family and community without needing to be consumer-driven.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. They say Vanuatu still has its challenges including a lack of a formal education infrastructure. “That’s resulted in school enrolments and attendance that’s among the lowest in the Pacific region,” says the report.

July 21, 2016 0

Nafuki believes ULMWP membership in MSG will be made in Septembe

DailyPost.vu, By Godwin Ligo | Posted: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 8:00 am

The Chairman of the Vanuatu Committee for Free West Papua, Pastor Allen Nafuki, has said he strongly believes that the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting to be held in Port Vila in September, will grant West Papua full membership into the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

“It was right here in Port Vila, that Vanuatu played an important role in hosting of the reconciliation ceremonies between all West Papua Leaders, and the formation, and the signing of the agreement of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) between all the West Papua Leaders,” Pastor Nafuki told the Daily Post.

He went on to state that: “As a Pastor in a Christian church and occupying the Chair of the Free West Papua Association in Vanuatu, I also strongly believe that it is God’s plan that the West Papua admission as a full member to the MSG will take place here in Vanuatu.

“In this regard I am calling on every Christian Leaders in all Christian denominations and all Christians across Vanuatu to rise in Pray in one accord for this dream for West Papua brothers and sisters to be fully realized in September 2016 here in Port Vila, Vanuatu,” he appealed.

“After the news was received from Honiara that West Papua full admission into the MSG did not happen, I gave a lot of thought about why the MSG Leaders had once again did not grant full admission to the Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua full MSG membership.

“What came across my mind is that we humans make plans but God’s will according to His plan and time is what we have to seek and accept.

“So, as of today as I am talking to the Daily Post, I wish to state that my Committee is reviewing plans and preparing an even stronger application which will be submitted in good time ahead of the MSG Leaders’ Summit here in Port Vila in September, 2016,”

said Pastor Nafuki.

“Let me reiterate my call on all Christian Leaders and all Christians across Vanuatu to place West Papua Melanesian brothers and sisters for a full membership into the MSG, in the hands of the Almighty God to grant this request in the MSG Leaders’ Summit in September 2016,”

Nafuki reiterated.

ligo@dailypost.vu

July 20, 2016 0

Vanuatu Deputy PM: Melanesians Being Killed By Asians

Pasifik.News – By Adam Boland – July 20, 2016

Vanuatu’s Deputy Prime Minister has hit out at Indonesia saying Melanesians must speak up for the people of West Papua.

Joe Natuman believes the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) is being swayed by outside interests after it deferred making a decision on awarding full membership to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP).

“West Papua was forcibly annexed by Indonesia and brutally overthrown. They were in the process of getting their independence in the early 1960s,” he told Vanuatu’s Buzz FM 96. “Now they say we cannot interfere, no, we must interfere. Melanesians are being killed by Asians, we have to interfere.”

He says the MSG is failing to meet its charter.

“The MSG, I must repeat, the MSG, which I was a pioneer in setting up was established for the protection of the identity of the Melanesian people, the promotion of their culture and to defend their rights,” he said. “Now it appears other people are trying to use the MSG to drive their own agendas and I am sorry but I will insist that MSG is being bought by others.”

Vanuatu has been a strong supporter of the ULMWP getting full membership but Papua New Guinea and Fiji say it would undermine Indonesia’s sovereignty. Jakarta has confirmed it has been lobbying Melanesian countries intensely.

“If our friends in Fiji and Papua New Guinea have a different agenda, we need to sit down and talk very seriously about what is happening within the organisation,” said Mr Natuman.

July 20, 2016 0

MSG membership for United Liberation Movement for West Papua postponed on legal technicality

Posted: July 15, 2016 | Author: dailyvanuatu | Filed under: The Daily Digest

The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ meeting, currently being held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, yesterday deferred its decision to welcome the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as a full member of MSG until another meeting planned for Port Vila in September. The MSG says this decision was taken as the wording of MSG’s rules for membership needs to be clarified to give ULMWP, a liberation movement, the same membership status as MSG founding member (and fellow liberation movement), Front de libération nationale kanak et socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia.

MSG associate, Indonesia, the colonial occupier of West Papua, opposes ULMWP joining the MSG, and is currently supported by only two out of the five founding members of MSG, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The majority of the founding members of MSG – Vanuatu, FLNKS and Solomon Islands – support full membership for the West Papua liberation movement, as do the majority of the population of all MSG countries.

PNG PM Peter O’Neill, who has been a vocal supporter of Indonesia, is currently fighting for his political life as his government faces a vote of no-confidence in PNG’s parliament.

O’Neill has also come under attack from former Prime Minister of PNG, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, for opposing West Papuan independence in defiance of the overwhelming support of PNG’s people for the decolonisation of the other half of the island of New Guinea, where he says “our ancestors roamed freely over our shared land and sea for centuries prior to colonial and Christian interventions”.

Here’s the full text of the MSG’s statement on the decision:

Leaders agreed to defer the consideration of the application for full membership by ULMWP until membership criteria and guidelines are further developed by the Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SCLII), considering fundamental principles, political aspirations, and principles of international law and to be completed end of September 2016.

Leaders did not reach consensus and directed the SCLII to undertake further review on:

(i) the revised application Procedures, Criteria, and Participatory Rights and Obligations of an Observer and an Associate Member to the MSG.

(ii) the new membership guidelines for full membership to the MSG.

Leaders agreed to meet in Port Vila, Vanuatu before the end of September 2016.

July 19, 2016 0

Local WP activists: We will not back down

SolomonStarNews.com, Published: 18 July 2016

LOCAL West Papua activists in the country said they will not back down in their move to see West Papua included in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

The group made the stand after the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) deferred the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s (ULMWP) application for full membership in their recent meeting in Honiara, last week.

They said, they shared similar thoughts raised by the spokesperson of the ULMWP Benny Wenda, that this could be seen as a delayed tactic.

“We will not back down.

“We will continue to fight for our Melanesian brothers and sisters until they are members of the MSG,” the group told the Solomon Star, after the outcome of the MSG’s decision last week.

Last week, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Special Leaders Summit agreed to defer the consideration of the application for full membership by the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP).

It was reported that the delay was agreed to until membership criteria and guidelines are further developed by the Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SCLII), considering fundamental principles, political aspirations, and principles of international law and to be completed end of September 2016.

Leaders did not reach consensus and directed the SCLII to undertake further review on:

(i) the revised application Procedures, Criteria, and Participatory Rights and Obligations of an Observer and an Associate Member to the MSG.

(ii) the new membership guidelines for full membership to the MSG.

However, the membership application will now be considered at a special MSG meeting to be held in Vanuatu in September.

A peaceful rally staged in Honiara last week also attracted up to 3,000 people.

By RONALD TOITO’ONA

July 18, 2016 0