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National Elections

Madang Beefs Up Election Security Due to Threats

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Madang’s Provincial Police Commander, Acting Superintendent, Rubiang Manzuc, says security personnel in the province have been beefed up following recent threats going around.

All road intersections will be blocked and all vehicles and the public travelling in and out of Madang town will be thoroughly searched before they can pass.

“The roadblocks will start at the handymart roundabout intersection point for vehicle and persons moving in and out of Madang,” says Manzuc.

Manzuc says people’s movement after hours is also restricted as there is a liquor ban in place in the province; id says if anyone is caught drunk and moving around after hours, they will be arrested and locked up at the Jomba police cells.

The PPC also visited all counting centers, informing counting officials and election officials to continue counting without fear as there will be tight security to make sure their safety is guaranteed, he added that each center has security personnel on the ground to monitor and check on persons going in and out of the counting venues.

All counting venues each have its own commanders’ to provide security to counting officials.

The provincial Police Commander says the operation plan for the province has now changed so security forces will be working six to six, 24/7 to make sure all counting is completed safely without fear.

“Our concern is safety of the counting and election officials including the public.”

Mobile Squad 13 from Lae, MS 14 from Goroka and the PNGDF are also on the ground to beef up security in the province, thus the manpower on the ground is more than enough to control any situation that may arise in the province.”

Manzuc said security forces on the ground are taking the spread of threats very seriously and assured the people of Madang that their safety is guaranteed.

They started tightening up their operations yesterday to ensure the safety of all citizens including counting and election officials.

The Provincial Police Commander is appealing to the leaders and the public to support security forces during the counting period until all declarations are made.

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Sport

Squash shifts focus to doubles

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Team PNG’s squash trio, Madako Suari Jnr, Feanor Siaguru and Amity Alarcos will turn their attention to the Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions at the Commonwealth Games.

Despite results not going their way over the weekend in the Men’s and Women’s Singles, head coach Marc Forster said there were still positives to take away from the performances of the three.

“Junior (Madako) needs to keep up the standard and keep solid. Youngsters Feanor and Amity will come away with an understanding now of what it takes to be a professional like the players they’re seeing here,” said Forster.

The Men’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles will start on Wednesday, August 3.

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Sport

Morea Snatches Silver for Team PNG

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Team PNG won its first silver medal yesterday (Saturday 30th July 2022) through weightlifting sensation Morea Baru at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The three-time Commonwealth Games sensation lifted 121kg in the Snatch and 152kg in the Clean and Jerk scoring a total lift of 273kg in the Men’s 61kg division finishing second to Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bin Bidin who scored 285kg. India won bronze with a total lift of 269kg.

This is the second time Baru has won a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games, the last one was at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia.

“Morea Baru’s performance at Birmingham 2022 was brilliant. He put on a strong performance against the Commonwealth’s best and came home with a Silver Medal, putting Team PNG onto the medal tally,” said Team PNG’s Chef de Mission, Michael Henao.

 Baru’s quiet, humble demeanour continues to inspire Team PNG, and we join Morea, his family and all Papua New Guineans at home and across the world in congratulating Morea on this fantastic achievement”

In the Women’s category, our female champion Dika Toua took to the platform in what proved to be a highly competitive 49kg division missing out on a medal by a mere 1kg.

Toua lifted 74kg in the Snatch and 96kg in the Clean and Jerk, settling in with a total of 170kg.

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National Elections

Namah Keen to Form Government

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Vanimo Green-River member-elect, Belden Namah commended the Electoral Commission and Election Officials for conducting a free and safe election for the people of Vanimo-Green in West Sepik Province.

“I want to thank the Election Manager, Salote Kai and the Returning Officer for a successful election. There was no foul play in this election,” Namah said.

Namah thanked his supporters and reassured his commitment to form government this year after serving as the front man of the opposition in the last 12 years.

Re-elected member for Vanimo-Green, Beldan Namah, signing the writ after being declared

“12 years is enough; we will form Government. We will join our coalition partners and form Government,” Namah said.

Namah collected 10,213 votes in the 24th elimination after all ballots were exhausted.

Independent Candidate Eric Kowa was the runner up with 8,767 votes.

Namah is yet to reveal what party he will form a coalition; however, PNC remains an option given the history between him and PNC front man Peter O’Neill.

With the return of writs now extended to the 5th of August, the numbers game for forming government will be on show as elected members scramble to join the winning camp.

But for now, celebrations have already started in Vanimo as loyal Belden Namah supporters celebrate his fourth term in Parliament.

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National Elections

PRP Leader Retains North Fly Seat

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James Donald, re-elected for North Fly Open

People’s Reform Party Leader, James Donald has been re-elected for North Fly Open in the 2022 National General Election.

Donald was declared around 5:40pm (Thursday 28th July) by Returning Officer, George Papin at the Provincial Counting Centre in Kiunga.

He polled a total of 12,648 passing the absolute majority of 10,871+1 after the 20th exclusion.

First runner-up was independent candidate, Sam Bob Auwi with 9,092 votes.

MP Donald thanked all the voters for re-electing him as their leader.

“Let’s work together to develop our district and bring services that will benefit us all.” he said.

The North Fly MP signed his writ yesterday after being declared.

Donald is the first Western Province Member of Parliament to be declared and will be serving his second term in Parliament. He won the seat in 2017.

Meanwhile the PRP leader has indicated that he won’t be joining any political camps at the moment and will wait for other declarations to be made.

He said together they will move as possible coalition partners to form the next Government.

Meanwhile, elimination process for South Fly, Delta Fly and Middle Fly Districts are still in progress with declarations expected to be made over the weekend.

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Sport

Squash to hit the courts this weekend

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VETERAN, Madako Suari Jr and youngster, Feanor Siaguru from the sport of squash are set to take the courts come Friday and Saturday for Team PNG at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Suari will take to the court first in the Men’s Singles preliminary round at the University of Birmingham Hockey and Squash Centre against Malaysia’s Mohammad Kamal on Friday, July 29 at 12:30pm local time (9:30pm PNG time).

Siaguru will go up against Lwamba Chileshe from New Zealand the same day at 7:45pm (Saturday 4:45am PNG time).

Amity Alarcos will play England’s Lucy Turmel on Saturday, July 30 at 12pm (9pm PNG time) in the Women’s Singles preliminary round.

“They’ve all got their work cut out for them,” said Head Coach, Marc Forster.

Forster added preparations have gone smoothly.

“They’re hitting the ball a little sweeter, a little harder, a little straighter, and their length is good. I think it’s just been really good hitting time for them and they’re starting to hit more of their targets.

“Since arriving it’s been all good, no problems. We’ve been putting in two sessions a day and hopefully they all can play as well as they can come Friday and Saturday.”

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National Elections

Counting Mishap at NCD Regional Counting Centre

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CANDIDATES contesting to be the next Governor for the National Capital District yesterday at around 12pm fronted up at the Boroko Police Station to follow up on a formal complaint laid by candidate Michael Kandiu.

Those that were part of the contingent of angered candidates are Andy Bawa, Lucielle Paru, Steven Kilage, Sylvia Pascoe and Michael Kandiu.
Kandiu was angered by the actions that took place, he said there was tampering during the counting process of the NCD Regional held at the Rita Flynn counting center.

“The incident happened on Tuesday when my scrutineers found out that I had scored 169 votes but on the electoral commissions tally sheet I had only 16, they had taken 153 votes and passed it on to other candidates.

“We found out that figures on the update posted by the Electoral Commission did not match our tally sheet,” Kandiu said

Kandiu expressed dismay that this was the second time he has been a victim of this it had happened in the 2017 election, also it was the same person who did it this time around.

“This is exactly the same thing that happened in 2017 and this is the same person who made this mistake with other officers also at the counting center.

“We want them to be arrested, the electoral commission has failed miserably in running a fair and free election,” Kandiu said

The police were prompt to gather the election team in question down at the Rita Flyn Counting center, they were taken in for questioning at the Boroko Police Station, among those that were taken in, was election manager for NCD Kila Ralai.

Inside PNG was able to speak with Ralai after he left the Boroko Police station and returned to the counting center, he said the matter was before the police and counting would continue.

Ralai did confirm that a complaint was made by Kandiu’s scrutineers at the counting center and steps were taken to rectify the discrepancies.

“When we heard the complaint, we realized that our electoral commission figures were different from the Scrutineers figures, we proceeded to open the boxes again to verify both figures again and we identified that there was an error on our tally on our, we had 16 when the actual ballot papers and figures on Michael Kandius tally for that particular ward “ward 4” was actually was 169,” Ralai confirmed.

Former NCD Metropolitan Superintendent now vying for the Governor’s seat Andy Bawa was very vocal about the lack of transparency witnessed at the counting center, he said they have written to the Electoral Commission about the matter.

“We want those involved to be sidelined including the election manager as well, that’s why we have written to the electoral commissioner and we have laid a formal complaint with the Metropolitan Superintendent of NCD, we just want a fair and free elections.

“First and foremost because it is an election related fraud case, we want that person responsible to be arrested and charged and after that we want people who are implicated in the allegations in the counting room replaced by new ones,” Bawa said.

Ralai when asked bout the demand for replacement of all counting officials he said steps were being taken to address the issue going forward.

“We will not have a new team but we will make some replacements, I have taken the task to not allow one of the Assistant Returning Officers who has been sidelined, he is not to enter the counting area with the three officers’ who were recorders working during the shift that night the incident had happened,’’ Ralai said

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Business

Key implications of PNG’s recent CPI figures

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The price of goods and services have continued to increase since the second quarter of 2021, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) rating closing the first quarter of this year at 6.9 percent – the highest level rating since 2010.

To counter this high domestic inflation, the Bank of PNG has tightened the Monetary Policy

by increasing the Kina Facility Rate (KFR) by 0.25 percent to 3.25 percent this month (July

2022).

According to the BSP Pacific Economic and Market Insight Q2 2022 Report, BSP Group

General Manager for Corporate Banking, Peter Beswick said the uplift in the Kina Facility

Rate (KFR) by BPNG in signaling and tightening the Monetary Policy would result in the

finance sector reviewing loan and deposit interest rates.

The KFR intends to serve as the interest rate at which funds can be lent or borrowed. It is a

monthly rate and any changes to it should translate to market interest rates.

“The Bank of PNG has flagged the tightening Monetary Policy, with an increase in the KFR

by 0.25 percent to 3.25 percent in July 2022. This move is to counter high domestic inflation.

Domestic prices have continued to increase since the Q2-21, with headline CPI for the Q1-

22 at 6.9 percent. The highest level since 2010,” Mr. Beswick said.

“BPNG has noted the key drivers of inflation as being import inflation (through fuel and food),

caused by the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict. Inflation and living costs are expected

to remain high for the remainder of 2022, as global recession fears affecting fuel, energy and

logistic costs globally,” he added.

Mr. Beswick further said that under this scenario, PNG should benefit from increased prices

on commodity exports. However, this lift could be partiality offset by reduced export volumes

in the agricultural sector, as small holders and regional communities are involved in the

general election.

“In terms of business drivers, we have seen some uplift in select business sectors of the

PNG economy. Hotels & Accommodation providers have seen increases in occupancy

levels, due to additional consultants and short term contractors arriving to assist government

with the general election. Australia has an increased presence, with additional defense force

personal assisting with law and order nationally. While aid agencies have committed

additional resources on the ground to assist with the election operations, logistic and

oversight.

“Major extractive projects on the horizon for 2023, should see improved sentiment as the

PNG economy transitions into its next significant growth phase,” Mr Beswick concluded.

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Uncategorized

MP’s of Hela Province Show Solidarity

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THE five declared Members of Parliament for Hela Province arrived in Port Moresby yesterday.

Among them is Tari Pori MP and incumbent Prime Minister James Marape, Hela Governor Philip Undialu, Member elect for Koroba Kopiago William Bando, Magarima MP Manase Makiba and Daniel Tindipu who is the first Member for the newly created electorate Komo Hulia.

Four of the Members are Pangu whole William Bando is the lone United Resource Party (URP).

Speaking on arrival the leaders spoke highly of working together and serve people in their electorates.

“Working together is key in improving the current level of service delivery,” said Governor Undialu. He said people have given them the mandate to hold office for the next five years.

“We must be responsible in our decision making. People have shown confidence in our leadership by voting decisively”, Undialu said.

Governor Undialu added that Hela is host to the PNG LNG project and will bank on that to build more infrastructure through mutual partnership with stakeholders.

Tari Pori MP James Marape congratulated the other four MPs stating they must now work together for the good of Hela people.

Marape said the victory by four Pangu endorsed candidates in Hela shows the trust and leadership people have for Pangu. He also welcome URP declared Koroba Kopiago MP William Bando.

Mr Marape said Bando is a former Provincial Administrator for Hela and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team.

“I am confident Bando will be a critical thinker and will serve the people of Koroba Kopiago with his utmost best,” said Marape.

Adding on Marape said Pangu and URP are coalition partners, and is confident the two parties will take lead to form the next Government,” said Marape.

Marape concluded stating it is critical for the five Hela leaders to bond together going forward.

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Education

Suspects Arrested Over Kimbe School Arson

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ON the eve of year 12 mock examinations, the Administration building of Kimbe Secondary School in West New Britain was burnt to ashes.

Students and staff and woke up in shock this morning.

Seven arson suspects have been arrested by police and are currently held at the Kimbe Police Station cells.

According to a source in Kimbe, the seven were rounded up by police following eyewitness reports of arson in the early hours of this morning.

From reports, the main school administration building was set alight by the suspects. The fire started at the administration kitchen then extended quickly and engulfed the whole building.

“The whole administration block is down to ashes,” said the Chairman of the School Board Management Steven Raphael. I can’t understand why anybody would go out and deliberately do this. It’s the nerve system of the school. That is where all the record of the school is kept. Records for students, staff and school,” said Raphael.

The suspects also lit fire at a nearby Grade 10 classroom but boarding students managed to put it off.

The fire truck was called but was too late. Firemen attempted to stop and control the fire but couldn’t. The help of the second fire truck only managed to extinguish fire and stop it from spreading.

Authorities are now establishing the reason why such act of arson is committed.

A female student said its shocking. “We now very concern that important documents are gone. Exams are nearing and we are not sure how the school administration will decide on”, said a student.

This morning Kimbe Secondary School Principal George Areng and the Board Chairman addressed students during assembly. He expressed sadness over the incident but encouraged students to maintain focus. Areng reiterated that authorities will ensure those involved are dealt by the law.

Principal Areng also confirmed that the Grade 12 Mock Exam will proceed.

Meanwhile the student body demanded the school administration to stage a peaceful protest in Town today but were discouraged. Chairman Raphael appeal for peace stating it’s an unfortunate incident.

He said the Board will work with Police to ensure justice hails.

“Staging a protest is not right now, there is counting (2022 NGE in town and opportunist might stir riot,” added Mr. Raphael.

I’m hoping this is not election related. We are a school. What do we have to do with the election? Its shows that there is a sick society of humans out there taking out their frustration on an institution like,” said Chairman Raphael.

Police have begun investigations into this matter.

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