All Asian-Owned Cottage Businesses Must Cease - Dateline 31 December 2009.

All Asian owned Cottage Business like Takka Shops around the country must cease by 31 December 2009. This is the dateline set the grassroots of Papua New Guinea. Any Asian owned shops, whether they are Chinese, Malaysian, Philippines, Indians, must and will come to a total stop by 31 December 2009. Papua New Guineans will take it on the street again and make a more formal, lasting impact on the streets of PNG like the one that happened in Honiara.

The government is too sympathetic and has failed the people of PNG. Everyone seems to be apologizing for what has happened and none of the so called leaders seem to understand how the inflow of illegal Asians are stealing business opportunities and jobs from helpless PNGans. It's costing the country simple store-keeper jobs and denying the privilege of simple PNGans owning these businesses. Competition among the Asians themselves has left not a chance for would-be PNGans.

Majority of the politicians seem to dig into the Asian pockets. Whether directly or indirectly, from Takka Shop owners to big investment giants like RH and Ramu Nickel, the corrupt government is already trapped in most of these deals. The country does not belong to the politicians to sell it cheaply at the cost of ordinary and helpless Papua New Guinean lives, costing their jobs, businesses and putting them on the streets.

If the very government which is elected to protect the very rights they are cheaply trading for personal gain, the people must act! If the formal processes in place that are supposed to be enforced and promoted by the government are not working, the people must do it the informal way. Enough is enough.

Not only taking away our jobs and business opportunities but from illegal gambling to prostitution and Asian Mafia, this country is being truly corrupted by Asians. Our politicians are selling this country and its resources at cheap prices.

No real tangible economic benefits. Tax monies and royalties are being spent left, right and center by cronies and their close counterparts, majority of it on unfounded claims. If that's not enough, the so called politicians are now letting our simple jobs and simple businesses being stolen right from our very hands! The rule of the grassroots will be this and very clear: No more Asians owning Cottage Businesses in PNG by 31 December 2009.

Or otherwise, we will celebrate 2010 New Year with bon-fires of all Asian-owned Takka Shops in flames all around the country. That will be the solution. Forget the government. If they can't do it, we will do it ourselves! No need to buy candlesticks on New Years Eve. We can afford to destroy what we can take back and own ourselves but we cannot let what is rightfully ours be stolen from us permanently!

*** Papua New Guinea, like many other countries around the word is a democratic country and as such it has laws to govern and protect its citizens. We can always use these laws to solve conflicts amicably. I see the frustrations why PNGeans want to get rid of Asian owned business. The government fails to enforce these laws and again failed miserably to prosecute those who violate the laws.

But to go our way and take the matters onto our own hands will not solve the problem as it will add more fuel to the fire already burning. I discourage PNGeans to loot and plunder Asian owned businesses.

I think the government already woke up from it’s long nap and seen what has been happening for the past few weeks. They’ve formulated a working committee to address this issue so lets give them time. Let’s understand that problems never get solved too soon or so easily. It takes time.

We don’t know what this new committee’s priorities and policies until they inform us. Perhaps, they might look at Asian businesses who are legally doing business and those that are not legally under PNG's laws and screen all Asians legal status in the country. Furthermore, the government could add more teeth to the existing immigration laws as well as formulating new ones to screen the flow of Asians in PNG.

Ultimately, a tooth for a tooth, talking laws to our own hands, and pay payback system which is prevalent in PNG these days need to be done away with and we should conform ourselves to the laws of our land to solve our conflicts, disputes, differences, etc… Always remember that, engulfed with anger and getting acquainted with violence has never solved a problem and will never be even how hard we try.

Em tingting bilong mi tasol (just my thoughts)
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All Asian-Owned Cottage Businesses Must Cease - Dateline 31 December 2009.

All Asian owned Cottage Business like Takka Shops around the country must cease by 31 December 2009. This is the dateline set the grassroots of Papua New Guinea. Any Asian owned shops, whether they are Chinese, Malaysian, Philippines, Indians, must and will come to a total stop by 31 December 2009. Papua New Guineans will take it on the street again and make a more formal, lasting impact on the streets of PNG like the one that happened in Honiara.

The government is too sympathetic and has failed the people of PNG. Everyone seems to be apologizing for what has happened and none of the so called leaders seem to understand how the inflow of illegal Asians are stealing business opportunities and jobs from helpless PNGans. It's costing the country simple store-keeper jobs and denying the privilege of simple PNGans owning these businesses. Competition among the Asians themselves has left not a chance for would-be PNGans.

Majority of the politicians seem to dig into the Asian pockets. Whether directly or indirectly, from Takka Shop owners to big investment giants like RH and Ramu Nickel, the corrupt government is already trapped in most of these deals. The country does not belong to the politicians to sell it cheaply at the cost of ordinary and helpless Papua New Guinean lives, costing their jobs, businesses and putting them on the streets.

If the very government which is elected to protect the very rights they are cheaply trading for personal gain, the people must act! If the formal processes in place that are supposed to be enforced and promoted by the government are not working, the people must do it the informal way. Enough is enough.

Not only taking away our jobs and business opportunities but from illegal gambling to prostitution and Asian Mafia, this country is being truly corrupted by Asians. Our politicians are selling this country and its resources at cheap prices.

No real tangible economic benefits. Tax monies and royalties are being spent left, right and center by cronies and their close counterparts, majority of it on unfounded claims. If that's not enough, the so called politicians are now letting our simple jobs and simple businesses being stolen right from our very hands! The rule of the grassroots will be this and very clear: No more Asians owning Cottage Businesses in PNG by 31 December 2009.

Or otherwise, we will celebrate 2010 New Year with bon-fires of all Asian-owned Takka Shops in flames all around the country. That will be the solution. Forget the government. If they can't do it, we will do it ourselves! No need to buy candlesticks on New Years Eve. We can afford to destroy what we can take back and own ourselves but we cannot let what is rightfully ours be stolen from us permanently!

*** Papua New Guinea, like many other countries around the word is a democratic country and as such it has laws to govern and protect its citizens. We can always use these laws to solve conflicts amicably. I see the frustrations why PNGeans want to get rid of Asian owned business. The government fails to enforce these laws and again failed miserably to prosecute those who violate the laws.

But to go our way and take the matters onto our own hands will not solve the problem as it will add more fuel to the fire already burning. I discourage PNGeans to loot and plunder Asian owned businesses.

I think the government already woke up from it’s long nap and seen what has been happening for the past few weeks. They’ve formulated a working committee to address this issue so lets give them time. Let’s understand that problems never get solved too soon or so easily. It takes time.

We don’t know what this new committee’s priorities and policies until they inform us. Perhaps, they might look at Asian businesses who are legally doing business and those that are not legally under PNG's laws and screen all Asians legal status in the country. Furthermore, the government could add more teeth to the existing immigration laws as well as formulating new ones to screen the flow of Asians in PNG.

Ultimately, a tooth for a tooth, talking laws to our own hands, and pay payback system which is prevalent in PNG these days need to be done away with and we should conform ourselves to the laws of our land to solve our conflicts, disputes, differences, etc… Always remember that, engulfed with anger and getting acquainted with violence has never solved a problem and will never be even how hard we try.

Em tingting bilong mi tasol (just my thoughts)
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All Asian-Owned Cottage Businesses Must Cease - Dateline 31 December 2009.

All Asian owned Cottage Business like Takka Shops around the country must cease by 31 December 2009. This is the dateline set the grassroots of Papua New Guinea. Any Asian owned shops, whether they are Chinese, Malaysian, Philippines, Indians, must and will come to a total stop by 31 December 2009. Papua New Guineans will take it on the street again and make a more formal, lasting impact on the streets of PNG like the one that happened in Honiara.

The government is too sympathetic and has failed the people of PNG. Everyone seems to be apologizing for what has happened and none of the so called leaders seem to understand how the inflow of illegal Asians are stealing business opportunities and jobs from helpless PNGans. It's costing the country simple store-keeper jobs and denying the privilege of simple PNGans owning these businesses. Competition among the Asians themselves has left not a chance for would-be PNGans.

Majority of the politicians seem to dig into the Asian pockets. Whether directly or indirectly, from Takka Shop owners to big investment giants like RH and Ramu Nickel, the corrupt government is already trapped in most of these deals. The country does not belong to the politicians to sell it cheaply at the cost of ordinary and helpless Papua New Guinean lives, costing their jobs, businesses and putting them on the streets.

If the very government which is elected to protect the very rights they are cheaply trading for personal gain, the people must act! If the formal processes in place that are supposed to be enforced and promoted by the government are not working, the people must do it the informal way. Enough is enough.

Not only taking away our jobs and business opportunities but from illegal gambling to prostitution and Asian Mafia, this country is being truly corrupted by Asians. Our politicians are selling this country and its resources at cheap prices.

No real tangible economic benefits. Tax monies and royalties are being spent left, right and center by cronies and their close counterparts, majority of it on unfounded claims. If that's not enough, the so called politicians are now letting our simple jobs and simple businesses being stolen right from our very hands! The rule of the grassroots will be this and very clear: No more Asians owning Cottage Businesses in PNG by 31 December 2009.

Or otherwise, we will celebrate 2010 New Year with bon-fires of all Asian-owned Takka Shops in flames all around the country. That will be the solution. Forget the government. If they can't do it, we will do it ourselves! No need to buy candlesticks on New Years Eve. We can afford to destroy what we can take back and own ourselves but we cannot let what is rightfully ours be stolen from us permanently!

*** Papua New Guinea, like many other countries around the word is a democratic country and as such it has laws to govern and protect its citizens. We can always use these laws to solve conflicts amicably. I see the frustrations why PNGeans want to get rid of Asian owned business. The government fails to enforce these laws and again failed miserably to prosecute those who violate the laws.

But to go our way and take the matters onto our own hands will not solve the problem as it will add more fuel to the fire already burning. I discourage PNGeans to loot and plunder Asian owned businesses.

I think the government already woke up from it’s long nap and seen what has been happening for the past few weeks. They’ve formulated a working committee to address this issue so lets give them time. Let’s understand that problems never get solved too soon or so easily. It takes time.

We don’t know what this new committee’s priorities and policies until they inform us. Perhaps, they might look at Asian businesses who are legally doing business and those that are not legally under PNG's laws and screen all Asians legal status in the country. Furthermore, the government could add more teeth to the existing immigration laws as well as formulating new ones to screen the flow of Asians in PNG.

Ultimately, a tooth for a tooth, talking laws to our own hands, and pay payback system which is prevalent in PNG these days need to be done away with and we should conform ourselves to the laws of our land to solve our conflicts, disputes, differences, etc… Always remember that, engulfed with anger and getting acquainted with violence has never solved a problem and will never be even how hard we try.

Em tingting bilong mi tasol (just my thoughts)
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PNG: Enough is Enough

By Gelab Piak*

I have passion and love my nation. I love my country so much; I can’t even find the words to define it. I feel hurt when I see a young woman walking on the dusty road with three hungry crying children behind her.

Eighty percent of the population of PNG lives in rural areas, where the roads, bridges, infrastructure and school building are deteriorating and people have little or no access to government services. I see this as a violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 21(2), where it states: Everyone has the right to equal access to public services in his country.

It’s like living in a fairy tale; each year we hear billion dollar profits announced by companies in PNG, but there is no tangible development. May I ask: where is our (the public’s) money going? Workers throughout the country are living in dire conditions: rotting houses, some condemned. Thousands of public servants don’t have a house provided by the government. They live in settlements. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 police officers in Madang Province have no house.

Ok Tedi Mining has operated in Western Province for 29 years; but there seems no sign of development except the 150km stretch of dirt road from Kiunga to the mine site. Lihir Gold has over the years announced consecutive billion dollar profits, but recently New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan complained in the media (The National, 16 March 2009) of no tangible development in his province.

Why is the PNG Government hypnotizing the world by announcing billion dollar kina budgets yet the country’s infrastructure is crumbling? The Government is sensitive on issues relating to its corrupt practices. It uses its position to crush protesters (e.g., the 1997 UPNG protest in which several students were shot by police) because it realises that the educated elite, especially university students, know about these corrupt activities.

The Government controls every department by abuse of power, using its discretion to appoint the heads of all departments. So when Members of Parliament misuse public funds, the agency heads do not comment or pretend not to know a thing, and the corrupt practice goes on until it adds up to millions of Kina being stolen.

For example, the PNG National Aids Council is being investigated for misuse of funds that were donated by aid donors such as the Clinton Foundation and AusAID who pumped millions of dollars into NAC to combat HIV/AIDS in PNG. Members of Parliament are also corrupted; they offer project contracts to their own private companies.

On Thursday (Post Courier, 19 March 2009), MPs voted themselves a hefty 10 million Kina bonus in perks. Who are these MPs to do this while the workers and public servants live in dire conditions on a K7 a fortnight housing allowance while MPs vote themselves a housing allowance of K1,720 a week? Ordinary citizens suffer and live in acute poverty while parliamentarians and their K12,000 drivers are chauffeured around in K50, 000 tinted glass cars.
Should PNG have a revolution?

Yes, why not. Many countries that are now well off (France, Russia, China, the United States) had revolutions. Change is a movement from one stage to another, it brings advancement and development. Revolution can be the mechanism of that change. PNG was given independence on a plate. We didn’t have to fight for it, that’s why we don’t appreciate our freedom and take it for granted.

I believe PNG can achieve a bloodless revolution. It only takes the will of the people. We are systematized by the Melanesian chief system, that’s why we respect the Chief, but in order to change for the better, sometimes you have to gather up the courage to draw the line and say enough is enough. It’s now or never.

* Piak is a student at Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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PNG: Enough is Enough

By Gelab Piak*

I have passion and love my nation. I love my country so much; I can’t even find the words to define it. I feel hurt when I see a young woman walking on the dusty road with three hungry crying children behind her.

Eighty percent of the population of PNG lives in rural areas, where the roads, bridges, infrastructure and school building are deteriorating and people have little or no access to government services. I see this as a violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 21(2), where it states: Everyone has the right to equal access to public services in his country.

It’s like living in a fairy tale; each year we hear billion dollar profits announced by companies in PNG, but there is no tangible development. May I ask: where is our (the public’s) money going? Workers throughout the country are living in dire conditions: rotting houses, some condemned. Thousands of public servants don’t have a house provided by the government. They live in settlements. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 police officers in Madang Province have no house.

Ok Tedi Mining has operated in Western Province for 29 years; but there seems no sign of development except the 150km stretch of dirt road from Kiunga to the mine site. Lihir Gold has over the years announced consecutive billion dollar profits, but recently New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan complained in the media (The National, 16 March 2009) of no tangible development in his province.

Why is the PNG Government hypnotizing the world by announcing billion dollar kina budgets yet the country’s infrastructure is crumbling? The Government is sensitive on issues relating to its corrupt practices. It uses its position to crush protesters (e.g., the 1997 UPNG protest in which several students were shot by police) because it realises that the educated elite, especially university students, know about these corrupt activities.

The Government controls every department by abuse of power, using its discretion to appoint the heads of all departments. So when Members of Parliament misuse public funds, the agency heads do not comment or pretend not to know a thing, and the corrupt practice goes on until it adds up to millions of Kina being stolen.

For example, the PNG National Aids Council is being investigated for misuse of funds that were donated by aid donors such as the Clinton Foundation and AusAID who pumped millions of dollars into NAC to combat HIV/AIDS in PNG. Members of Parliament are also corrupted; they offer project contracts to their own private companies.

On Thursday (Post Courier, 19 March 2009), MPs voted themselves a hefty 10 million Kina bonus in perks. Who are these MPs to do this while the workers and public servants live in dire conditions on a K7 a fortnight housing allowance while MPs vote themselves a housing allowance of K1,720 a week? Ordinary citizens suffer and live in acute poverty while parliamentarians and their K12,000 drivers are chauffeured around in K50, 000 tinted glass cars.
Should PNG have a revolution?

Yes, why not. Many countries that are now well off (France, Russia, China, the United States) had revolutions. Change is a movement from one stage to another, it brings advancement and development. Revolution can be the mechanism of that change. PNG was given independence on a plate. We didn’t have to fight for it, that’s why we don’t appreciate our freedom and take it for granted.

I believe PNG can achieve a bloodless revolution. It only takes the will of the people. We are systematized by the Melanesian chief system, that’s why we respect the Chief, but in order to change for the better, sometimes you have to gather up the courage to draw the line and say enough is enough. It’s now or never.

* Piak is a student at Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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PNG: Enough is Enough

By Gelab Piak*

I have passion and love my nation. I love my country so much; I can’t even find the words to define it. I feel hurt when I see a young woman walking on the dusty road with three hungry crying children behind her.

Eighty percent of the population of PNG lives in rural areas, where the roads, bridges, infrastructure and school building are deteriorating and people have little or no access to government services. I see this as a violation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights article 21(2), where it states: Everyone has the right to equal access to public services in his country.

It’s like living in a fairy tale; each year we hear billion dollar profits announced by companies in PNG, but there is no tangible development. May I ask: where is our (the public’s) money going? Workers throughout the country are living in dire conditions: rotting houses, some condemned. Thousands of public servants don’t have a house provided by the government. They live in settlements. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 police officers in Madang Province have no house.

Ok Tedi Mining has operated in Western Province for 29 years; but there seems no sign of development except the 150km stretch of dirt road from Kiunga to the mine site. Lihir Gold has over the years announced consecutive billion dollar profits, but recently New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan complained in the media (The National, 16 March 2009) of no tangible development in his province.

Why is the PNG Government hypnotizing the world by announcing billion dollar kina budgets yet the country’s infrastructure is crumbling? The Government is sensitive on issues relating to its corrupt practices. It uses its position to crush protesters (e.g., the 1997 UPNG protest in which several students were shot by police) because it realises that the educated elite, especially university students, know about these corrupt activities.

The Government controls every department by abuse of power, using its discretion to appoint the heads of all departments. So when Members of Parliament misuse public funds, the agency heads do not comment or pretend not to know a thing, and the corrupt practice goes on until it adds up to millions of Kina being stolen.

For example, the PNG National Aids Council is being investigated for misuse of funds that were donated by aid donors such as the Clinton Foundation and AusAID who pumped millions of dollars into NAC to combat HIV/AIDS in PNG. Members of Parliament are also corrupted; they offer project contracts to their own private companies.

On Thursday (Post Courier, 19 March 2009), MPs voted themselves a hefty 10 million Kina bonus in perks. Who are these MPs to do this while the workers and public servants live in dire conditions on a K7 a fortnight housing allowance while MPs vote themselves a housing allowance of K1,720 a week? Ordinary citizens suffer and live in acute poverty while parliamentarians and their K12,000 drivers are chauffeured around in K50, 000 tinted glass cars.
Should PNG have a revolution?

Yes, why not. Many countries that are now well off (France, Russia, China, the United States) had revolutions. Change is a movement from one stage to another, it brings advancement and development. Revolution can be the mechanism of that change. PNG was given independence on a plate. We didn’t have to fight for it, that’s why we don’t appreciate our freedom and take it for granted.

I believe PNG can achieve a bloodless revolution. It only takes the will of the people. We are systematized by the Melanesian chief system, that’s why we respect the Chief, but in order to change for the better, sometimes you have to gather up the courage to draw the line and say enough is enough. It’s now or never.

* Piak is a student at Divine Word University, Madang, PNG

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