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K258,000 Raised at Trukai Fun Run Auction

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Top 5 Bidders, from left,International Training Institute, PNG IPA,Brands Pacific,IBS University, & Sir Brian Bell Foundation

The Port Moresby business community has stepped up in a big way to support Papua New Guinea’s athletes, raising a significant K258,000 at the Trukai Fun Run Auction held on Friday.

The event saw 17,200 Trukai Fun Run shirts sold, with all proceeds going towards funding Team PNG’s participation in the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau.

The auction serves as a key fundraiser ahead of the annual Trukai Fun Run, this year themed “Running Through History,” celebrating PNG’s 50 years of independence through the unifying power of sport.

Team PNG Chef de Mission to Palau 2025, Kinivanagi Karo, expressed his sincere gratitude, particularly to the major sponsor, Trukai Industries Limited, and the top five bidding organizations.

“I would like to extend my warmest gratitude towards the major sponsor, Trukai Industries Limited for their unwavering support,” said Mr. Karo.

“Your contributions will play a crucial role in this year’s Pacific Mini Games, we are grateful for your commitment towards Team PNG. Your generosity is truly inspiring and gives us the motivation to continue our efforts to provide the best possible launchpad for our Team PNG athletes.”

Echoing this appreciation, Head of Trukai Industries, Mr. Andrew Grace, acknowledged the strong commitment from the business sector.

“We are eagerly looking forward to working closely with the PNG Olympic Committee to make this year’s Trukai Fun Run another truly memorable event,” Mr. Grace stated.

He also highlighted the enduring partnership between Trukai and the PNGOC, saying, “For 25 years, the partnership between Trukai Industries and the PNG Olympic Committee has stood strong, as a powerful symbol of our shared commitment to Team PNG and the incredible unifying power of sports within our nation.”

He reminded everyone to mark their calendars for June 22nd, as the event is anticipated to be bigger, better, and even safer for everyone to participate in this year.

The funds raised will be crucial in supporting Team PNG’s journey to Palau.

Many of the purchased t-shirts will also be donated to local schools.

The success of the Port Moresby auction builds anticipation for the next auction in Lae on June 13th and the main Trukai Fun Run event scheduled for June 22nd.

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Thousands of homes damaged after deadly, record floods

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A person uses a paddleboard on a flooded street in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AAP Image/Lindsay Moller)

Recovery crews face a mammoth task to assess damage to tens of thousands of homes as waters recede from deadly and record-breaking floods.

An estimated 50,000 people in more than a dozen towns across the NSW Hunter and mid-north coast regions remain cut off and many emergency warnings are still in place despite most river levels falling.

Five flood-related deaths have been confirmed since the latest bout of flooding hit the state.

Efforts are under way to clean up and help the hardest-hit communities, including in Taree, Kempsey, Dungog, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, with essential supply drops delivered by boat and helicopter.

Early estimates indicated at least 10,000 properties had been damaged in the floods, the NSW State Emergency Service said on Saturday.

Crews were prioritising starting washouts and performing damage assessments in areas where floodwaters were beginning to subside, SES chief superintendent Paul McQueen said.

“We will have an increased number of volunteers out in force today to start the damage assessment process,” he said.

Before any evacuation orders were revoked, assessors needed to evaluate access and safety issues.

“This is still a dangerous situation where significant impacts to infrastructure and properties are likely to have occurred,” Mr McQueen said.

The state will face more settled conditions over the weekend after severe weather warnings were cancelled late on Friday evening.

“This is welcome news for those in clean-up and recovery operations,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Helen Reid said.

But as floodwaters start subsiding in some locations, other areas downstream face renewed threats.

A moderate flood warning for Tuggerah Lake, on the Central Coast, has forced a community evacuation, while there were numerous minor flood warnings in place on Saturday morning.

The Pacific Highway was closed between Coopernook and Purfleet, near Taree, due to flooding, while a section of the highway was closed at Charmhaven on the Central Coast.

Motorists are advised to avoid non-essential travel in flood-affected areas.

Farmers are also beginning to take stock of their losses after cattle were washed down rivers and many properties suffered significant damage.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and NSW Premier Chris Minns will tour flood-impacted areas on Saturday.

More than 1600 insurance claims had already been made, according to the Insurance Council of Australia.

Assistance grants of $180 per person or $900 for families are expected to roll out in the coming days and those unable to work will have access to a disaster recovery allowance from Monday.

The flood-related death toll stands at five, while the SES conducted 85 flood rescues in the 24 hours to 5am.

A man believed to be in his 80s was found inside a burnt-out vehicle in the shed of a Cooplacurripa property, about 50km northwest of Taree.

Severe weather conditions stopped emergency crews from accessing the man’s home when a concern for his welfare was raised two days earlier.

The body of a man in his late 70s was also found on Friday after his vehicle appeared to be swept off a causeway at Nana Glen, near Coffs Harbour.

Another man died at a flooded home near Taree, as did a driver west of Port Macquarie and a 60-year-old woman near Coffs Harbour.

Volunteers are focusing on getting supplies to the 50,000 people still isolated by floodwaters.

“We ask you to be patient, remain in a safe location and please don’t be tempted to drive through flood waters or go sightseeing,” Mr McQueen said.

Written by: William Ton and Samantha Lock © Australian Associated Press 2025

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Transnational Crime Unveils: Chinese Mine Boss Sentenced by Lae’s Court

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Li Dezhang, a Chinese man wearing a red shirt and black pants standing in front of a brick building holding a small parcel.

A Chinese mine manager convicted earlier this month by the Lae District court over a shooting in Lae at Eriku’s residential area was sentenced to three-years imprisonment.

Senior Magistrate, Nasaling Bingtau said Li Dezhang, the General Manager of Guancai Mining Limited, will serve three years at the Buimo Prison. Dezhang will then be deported to China after serving his term.

Li Dezhang moved to the Papua New Guinea shortly after serving a prison sentence in China for a series of violent extortions, according to Chinese legal records.

Li Dezhang, 56, was found guilty by Lae’s District Court in Morobe Province on May 1st for unlicensed possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge, and assault over a mid-April incident in which he fired a Chinese-made pistol at another Chinese citizen who had confronted him about unpaid bills.

Li had worked as a manager of Guangcai Mining Limited, which operated three unlicensed gold mines in Bulolo, Morobe Province, which had been the subject of complaints of environmental destruction from the local communities.

Earlier this month, immigration authorities and police detained 19 workers at one of the company’s mines and deported most of them after finding that they didn’t have the proper work permits, according to Lae’s police commander, Chief Superintendent Chris Kunyanban.

Li was responsible for bringing the illegally employed workers into the country, Kunyanban said.

Before his arrival in PNG, Li already had a criminal history in China for a series of offenses he had committed in West Africa, according to Chinese court documents.

Li was arrested in Ghana and repatriated to China in early 2020 for using violent threats to extort a casino investor in the country out of 100,000 cedi (about $7,400), as well as the kidnapping and assault of another man who owed him a debt, according to announcements from a court in Li’s home province of Guangxi.

He served just over three years in prison and was released in early 2023, court records show.

Records in a separate civil case also show that Li was successfully sued for fraud in China for failing to deliver paid-for mining equipment to clients in Ghana.

Environmental destruction from mining has long been a public concern in resource-rich PNG.

PNG Immigration Minister, John Rosso told Inside PNG and OCCRP that the raid on Gunagcai’s mine earlier this month had to be done with officers that were “handpicked to avoid compromise.”

“We cannot practice double standards,” Rosso said.

“Once they are processed, anyone breaching immigration laws will be deported immediately.”

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Vanuatu and Australia to sign new development pact

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Vanuatu’s Parliament House in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Monday, January 13, 2025. (AAP Image/Ben McKay)

A new development pact between Vanuatu and Australia is in the works, with Vanuatu’s prime minister urging Anthony Albanese to visit and sign the deal in September.

Jotham Napat has revealed discussions on the “Nakamal” agreement, taking in infrastructure planning, economic development and climate planning, are in the final stages, after meeting with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Port Vila.

“We are hoping that we will sign this Nakamal agreement this coming September, and I’m hoping that the prime minister of Australia would fly over so that we can sign this agreement,” he said.

The agreement takes its name from the Bislama word “nakamal”, which means a traditional meeting place, such as a house, in Vanuatu.

Mr Napat said the bilateral relationship had “unshakable foundations”, a fitting phrase given Vanuatu’s attempts to rebound from December’s devastating earthquake.

Senator Wong announced $6 million towards engineering support and rebuilding schools damaged in the 7.3 magnitude tremor.

“Some 45 schools and over 100 classrooms have been damaged and we want to help rebuild them,” she said.

Australia – which has given financial aid and technical support following that disaster – is Vanuatu’s top development assistance partner by a distance.

Australia spent $US1 billion ($A1.6 billion) on projects in Vanuatu in the 15 years to 2022 according to the Lowy Institute, more than double the second-most generous nation, China, with $US449 million ($A697 million).

Senator Wong foreshadowed talks to take place on the partnership before she left on her three-nation tour of the Pacific this week, including stops in Fiji and Tonga.

There was no mention of a stalled security agreement signed between Mr Albanese’s government and a prior Vanuatu administration, headed by Ishmael Kalsakau, in late 2022.

Vanuatu has opted against ratifying that deal, with subsequent governments believing it compromises its non-aligned strategic outlook.

Senator Wong also travelled with the First Nations ambassador Justin Mohamed and met with the National Council of Chiefs.

“What I would say to the leader of Vanuatu, to the prime minister and to his cabinet, to the chiefs and to the people, is that ‘we are a steadfast partner. You can count on us’,” she said.

“You can count on us to act on climate change. You can count on us to help rebuild. You can count on us to work with you as we walk together.”

Mr Albanese already has two Pacific diplomatic engagements this September: the 50th anniversary of Papua New Guinean independence, and the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ summit in Solomon Islands.

Written by: Ben McKay © Australian Associated Press 2025

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Australia funding vaccines after polio find in PNG

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A young child is seen at the Malahang Health Clinic where the Polio vaccine is administered to children in Lae, Marobe Province, Papua New Guinea, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. A confirmed Vaccine Derived Polio Virus (VDPV) in Lae, Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea was reported to WHO on 21 June, 2018. Four rounds of supplementary immunisation activity (SIA) targeting children less that five years of age is planned from July to October 2018, to combat the virus. (AAP Image for Gavi/Brendan Esposito)

Australia is spending $5 million towards vaccinations in Papua New Guinea after the declaration of a polio outbreak in its close northerly neighbour.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 has been detected in stool specimens of two healthy children in PNG earlier in May.

It is the first outbreak of the debilitating virus in PNG since 2018, with the WHO testing centred on the city of Lae, in New Guinea’s north.

Wastewater samples have also picked up the highly-infectious virus – particularly in regions with poor sanitation – in the capital of Port Moresby.

Australia’s Pacific Minister Pat Conroy said his government would fund vaccines through WHO with the potential to reach three million children.

“Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent the spread of polio,” he said.

“That’s why we are working closely with the government of Papua New Guinea to step up vaccination efforts to protect children and ensure a healthy region.”

PNG vaccination rates are estimated at around 44 per cent, given rise to the potential for outbreaks.

Polio, which is often carried without symptoms, primarily affects children, with a small number of cases causing paralysis and even death.

Rates of the virus have plummeted in recent decades owing to a global eradication program, with polio now endemic in only Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Written by: Ben McKay © Australian Associated Press 2025

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Stop suppressing media workers for political brownie points!

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Media Council President Neville Choi and FM100 Talkback show Host Culligan Tanda at the Parliamentary Committee Hearing

The Media Council of Papua New Guinea in a statement is calling on the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape and his government to crack down on the Board and Management of Telikom PNG Limited and stop what has become the practice of silencing and suppressing media personnel who work for government-owned media organisations Kalang Advertising Limited (FM100) and Media Niugini Limited (EMTV).

The Council highlighted the cases of FM100 Talkback Show Host Culligan Tanda, who was initially suspended for three weeks without pay, and subsequently issued a termination notice by KAL Chief Executive Officer, Bill Wartovo upon the completion of his suspension period this Wednesday; and the case of former EMTV Reporter, James Guken, who says he was terminated without notice after writing an online news article quoting the Parliamentary Opposition.

Mr. Tanda received his suspension notice following a NASFUND FM100 Talkback Show programme which featured the Governor of East Sepik, Allan Bird following the last Vote of No Confidence motion in Parliament.

Mr. Guken says he was terminated without notice after writing the online article which featured quotes from ESP Governor Bird.

Media Council President, Neville Choi says these two cases of media suppression are only two of the latest in a series of media worker terminations by the Board and Management of the Telikom PNG Group since 2018.

“In 2019 I was terminated for refusing to act on a directive from the then Telikom PNG CEO to terminate then EMTV News Producer Sincha Dimara and EMTV Deputy News Manager Scott Waide over an overseas news Television story featuring the then New Zealand Prime Minister who had publicly stated that she would not be riding in any of the purchased Maserati luxury sedans when attending APEC 2018. The directive was based on what was perceived as painting the government of the day in a negative light.

“In 2022 a full newsroom of 24 media personnel employed by EMTV were terminated en masse, following their walkout protest against intense intimidation and harassment by the then EMTV Acting CEO.

Mr. Choi said that in each of these cases, Telikom PNG initiated what it described as ‘internal investigations’, the results of which were never made known to the parties under investigation, but inevitably ended with media worker terminations.

“A free, robust, and independent media is an essential pillar of democracy. It is the cornerstone of allowing freedom of speech, and freedom of expression. Being in a position of power and authority gives no one, especially brown-nosing public servants wanting to score brownie points with the sitting government administration, the right to suppress media workers who are only doing their jobs, and doing it well,” Mr. Choi says.

The Council also reminded the managements of State-owned media organisations, that Section 5 of the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (OLICAC) includes within the definition of corrupt conduct by public officials, the dishonest exercising and abusing of official functions.

Kalang Advertising Limited (FM100), similar to Media Niugini Limited (EMTV) are subsidiaries of the Telikom PNG Group, a state-owned enterprise within the portfolio of Kumul Consolidated Holdings under the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises.

The Board and Management of Kalang, Telikom and KCH falls within the scope of ‘public officials’ under Section 9 ICAC which includes a member of staff, an officer, or a member of a public body.

The Council calls on the ICAC to investigate the matter for corrupt conduct to establish if processes were abused to penalize both Culligan Tanda, and James Guken formerly of EMTV for their reporting.

The Council recognises the emotional and mental stress this kind of suppression has on media personnel, and has from the beginning of Culligan Tanda’s suspension, respected his wishes and approach to it.

The MCPNG Executive Board, with the support of its mainstream media members, calls for an immediate and permanent stop to this suppression of the media in PNG.

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Rice Board Discusses Partnership with NARI for Largescale Production

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Rice has become a staple food in many households. The Government is now looking at the potential to increase small holder production and at the same time maximize commercial farming.

The newly created Rice and Grain Board is at the forefront of achieving this Marape Rosso Government’s dream.

The Board Chairman, Mr Koren Maso visited the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI) on Tuesday (13/05/25) to discuss avenues available for NARI to assist the Rice and Grain Board.

On hand to received Mr Maso was Director General of NARI, Dr Nelson Simbiken and Deputy Director, Dr Peter Gendua.

Discussions surrounded partnerships with the research centre to achieve the Government’s ambition to increase commercial rice production, assist small holder farmers with machinery  to increase and improve yields while also looking at the potential to export seeds.

Maso visited the research site and had expert advise from Agronomist Mr Anthon Beko and Dr Gendua, who is an expert in Rice Farming and Techniques.

NARI currently has four lowland (coastal) rice varieties under research at the Momase Regional Centre.

After a tour of the rice paddies, the NARI experts explain the difference in variety, pest control, water management and the mechanisms for ploughing and harvesting using different machinery.

With technical and land support from NARI, Mr Maso hopes to reduce and over time replace rice imports.

Mr Maso assumed the role of the Chairman of the Rice and Grain Board in Dec 2023 following an NEC decision to set up the Board and prioritise the implementation of the National Rice Policy 2015-2030.

NEC Decision No. 369/2023, endorses K10 million to commence large scale commercial rice farm in PNG from the commercialization fund using NARI and Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) land for the first 2000 hectares with its regional seed banks to service 10 000 MSME rice out-growers to feed the large-scale commercial rice farm and rice mill.

An additional K1million is for the establishment of the Rice and Grain Board.

40% of the K11 million funding support is for the Seed Bank and the Out-Growers component.

Director General of NARI, Dr Nelson Simbiken said work will commence once that 40% funding is released.

“With many years of research, NARI is excited to partner with the Rice and Grain Board to take action and achieve the Government’s vision of large-scale rice production and downstream processing.”

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Sasingian Steps Down From Top Job

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After serving the charity arm of Digicel PNG, Digicel PNG Foundation as the CEO for six years, Serena Sasingian has handed over the reins.

Digicel PNG today announced that Sasingian has stepped down from the CEO position.

During her tenure with the Digicel PNG Foundation, Ms. Sasingian has been instrumental in overseeing an investment of K200 million into community projects across all 96 districts of Papua New Guinea.

Her leadership and dedication has had a significant impact on the lives of many, fostering development and growth in various communities particularly in the area of education and literacy.

“Serena’s contributions to the Digicel PNG Foundation and the communities it serves have been

invaluable,” said Roary Stasko, CEO of Telstra International.

“Her passion and commitment have left an indelible mark, and we are deeply grateful for her service.”

Valda Kereu, Programs Manager, Digicel PNG Foundation, has been appointed to the role of Acting CEO while the Foundation conducts a search for a permanent successor.

Ms. Kereu has been in her role for the past three years and brings a wealth of experience in community development and a deep understanding of the Foundation’s mission and values.

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SLAPP- A New Threat to Media and Free Speech in PNG

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May 3rd is observed every year as World Press Freedom Day.

It is a day dedicated to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press or the media, and remind governments of their duty to uphold and maintain freedom of expression.

Eddie Tanago from Act Now, says Papua New Guinea is one tough environment to be a journalist or an advocate for good governance and human rights.

He said  PNG is riddled with corruption that has grown tentacles into every sphere of life and trying to expose it can mean facing death threats and expensive lawsuits.

“In recent times, journalists and human rights defenders and advocates have come under attack from a new threat called Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP),” said Tanago.

Tanago has faced several SLAPPS in his line of work as an advocacy officer of Good Governance and Transparency.

A recent criminal case against him was thrown out by the Waigani Committal Court for lack of sufficient evidence. The case was between Mr Tanago and the PNG Forest Authority boss John Mosoro.

A SLAPP is a lawsuit filed by someone in a position of authority and power, whether in government or business, that is intended to silencing legitimate criticism and free speech. It is a deliberate misuse of the court systems to intimate and harass critics and involve them in expensive and time-consuming litigation

SLAPPs can have huge impacts that include:

  • Financially and psychologically draining the victim;
  • Reputational damage and harm;
  • Imprisonment; 
  • Wasting court time and resources;
  • Silencing critics and instilling fear.

SLAPPs have been frequently used in countries like the USA, Europe and in Australia against journalists, civil society and human rights defenders.

In light of this threat, some countries have created laws that have made SLAPPs illegal.

In Papua New Guinea though, SLAPPs are a relatively new concept but one that is on the rise.

Tanago said to ensure that freedom of speech is maintained the government needs to:

  • Introduce anti- SLAPP laws in PNG
  • Provide training for judges and lawyers so they are able to identify SLAPPs
  • Ensure its own Ministers, MPs and officials are not using SLAPPS to silence critics; 
  • Educate the public about SLAPPs and their impact in suppressing freedom of speech
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NGO: PNG Forest Authority should Focus on irradicating illegal logging rather than trying to silence its critics

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Brown skinned man with a beard

Campaign Manager for Act Now Eddie Tanago is now more then ever, adamant to hold the PNG Forest Authority accountable for Papua New Guineans who have lost their land rights due to logging.

These were the sentiments he shared after the Waigani Committal Court struck out his Cyber Crime Charge.

A criminal charge of Identity Theft against Tanago was struck out by Magistrate Mr. Paul Puri Nii, as there were insufficient evidence to proceed to the National Court.

A prominent civil society advocate, Tanago was arrested and charged by police in December 2024 following a complaint made by the Managing Director of the PNG Forest Authority.

This was after ACT NOW had hosted a public seminar highlighting the abuse of Forest Clearing Authorities by foreign-owned logging companies who use the licences as a cover for large-scale illegal logging.

The charge against Tanago alleged that he had committed identity theft by reposting on social media an advertisement for an FM100 talk-back show where the Managing Director was due to appear and which included his photograph.

Eddie Tanago says he is delighted that the court has dismissed the charge against him and thanked his family and all those who have supported his fight for justice.

Tanago says that he was always convinced that justice would be done and that the charge against him would be dismissed.

He has also expressed his gratitude to his lawyer, Carlos Tsora from Posman Kua Asi Lawyers.

Tanago says that the criminal charge against him has only reinforced his determination to speak out against corruption, widespread illegal logging and the abuse of FCA licences.

He also says the criminal charge against him was a further example of the growing use of SLAPP lawsuits in PNG.

SLAPP lawsuits, or Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation, are a misuse of the legal system by people in positions of power who want to silence their critics through intimidation and unwarranted but costly legal proceedings.

While common in some overseas countries, SLAPPS have until recently been rare in PNG.

In 2024, ACT NOW was the victim of two civil SLAPP lawsuits brought by Malaysian logging companies trying to prevent circulation of reports about their logging activities. Neither of those lawsuits was successful.

Tanago says the dismissal of the case against him is another win for freedom of speech and democracy in Papua New Guinea.

Tanago is urging the PNGFA to take effective action to prevent illegal logging under FCA licences rather than trying to intimidate and silence public debate on a national issue of critical importance.

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