Bryan Kramer

01/09/2024

RESIGNATION FROM MARAPE-ROSSO GOVERNMENT

Press Release by the office of Madang Open Member of Parliament, Honourable Bryan Kramer.

1 September 2024, Today, I am announcing my resignation as a member of the Marape-Rosso Coalition government. I extend my sincere thanks to Prime Minister Hon. James Marape and Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso for the opportunity to serve and contribute to our nation under their leadership.

This decision was not made lightly. My initial support for Hon. James Marape in 2019 was based solely on him being a man of strong Christian faith. However, upon careful reflection and in light of the current state of affairs in our country, I have made the decision to resign with a heavy heart but a clear conscience. Having returned to the office after two years, I have witnessed first hand the pressing challenges our nation faces.

During my time in government, I held various ministerial portfolios under the Marape-Steven, Marape-Basil, and now Marape-Rosso Government: Minister for Police (June 2019 to December 2020), Minister for Justice & Attorney General (December 2020 to April 2022), and Minister for Immigration & Labour (April 2022 to September 2022).These roles provided me with invaluable insights into the inner workings of the National Executive Council (NEC) and the broader government machinery. Through this experience, I gained a deep understanding and appreciation of our young nation's challenges, as well as the opportunities available to steer the nation in the right direction.

Transparency and good governance must be the cornerstones of our efforts to rebuild our nation, which necessitates a firm stand against corruption. However, in my view, after 49 years of independence, corruption has become so deeply entrenched in our government machinery, to the point where it has been normalised.

I spent most of my time in the NEC fighting to block countless harmful submissions that were being pushed on the Prime Minister, who could not risk losing coalition numbers in cabinet. I firmly believe that it was these very factions that orchestrated my being moved from ministry to ministry and ultimately excluded me from the cabinet.

Regrettably, since my dismissal, the opportunity to fight bad decisions from within the government has been lost, enabling the widespread misuse of public funds with impunity. This has increasingly placed our nation at risk, contributing to our current state of affairs.

I firmly believe that everyone, especially our Prime Minister and my fellow Members of Parliament, can still do the right thing by putting our people’s interests first, as we are duty-bound to do. If we continue to allow the systematic degradation of our people's well-being, our nation’s finances, and overall welfare, there will be no future for our country. Our faith should compel us to do what is right, not merely to survive politically.

I entered politics to fight corruption and to ensure that all Papua New Guineans have access to the services we, as Members of Parliament, are mandated to provide. My mission has been to combat and stop corrupt practices that rob our people and businesses of their hard-earned contributions and, most importantly, to protect the future of our nation's children. I will continue this fight from outside the government with integrity, as expected by the people of Madang who voted for me and the people of Papua New Guinea who placed their trust in me.

Consequently, I no longer have confidence in the leadership of Hon. James Marape to lead as Prime Minister. ///-END

22/08/2024

REINSTATEMENT TO OFFICE

Port Moresby, 22 August 2024 – Today, the National Court in Waigani ruled in favour of my application to stay the suspension and dismissal from office, effectively reinstating me as the Member for Madang Open Electorate until the judicial review proceedings challenging my dismissal are fully heard and determined.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my legal team, particularly Mr. Nelson Kopune, who successfully presented my application, and Mr. Nemo Yalo, whose diligent efforts in my earlier Supreme Court appeal enabled this case to be reconsidered by the National Court.

I also wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the countless individuals from across the country, especially those from Madang, for their unwavering support and prayers during this challenging period. I am overwhelmed by your kindness and solidarity.

As I return to office, my immediate priority will be addressing the challenges facing Madang and working diligently to restore order and progress in our community.

To provide context, I was sworn into office as the Member for Madang in August 2022. However, less than 30 days later, in September 2022, I was suspended, and in May 2023, I was subsequently dismissed from office. Having been out of office for nearly two years, I am eager to resume my duties and serve the people of Madang once again.

Caption: (Left) Nelson Kopune, (Right) Bryan Kramer, outside the National Court in Waigani.

05/02/2024

It is being reported that Minister for Education and Member for Usino-Bundi Open Electorate Hon. Jimmy Uguro passed away in his sleep in the early hours of this morning in a hotel in Wewak.

Condolences to his family and the people of Usino-Bundi. RIP.

26/10/2023

STREETS OF MADANG TO BE CLEANED OF PETTY CRIMINALS AND URBAN DRIFT.

At around 11am today a mob from the highlands region mobilised at Handy Mart junction to protest over the news of the senseless killing of a young Police Officer late Constable Peter Tolpare from Simbu.

Yesterday, Const. Tolpare was attacked and killed along Madang Ramu highway at N7 road market located 20 minutes drive outside of Madang Town.

It is reported that around 3pm, Officer Tolpare was at a buai roadside market located at Transgogol junction. He was in civilian clothing with persons known to him from area.

It is alleged a fight erupted and Const. Tolpare took out his pistol and fired shorts into the market. . A number of youths form the area chased Const. Tolpare down the road towards N7 where he was attacked and killed.

I was informed of the incident late yesterday evening, that the suspects involved were identified and community leaders from the area were able to recover the police issued firearm taken off Const. Tolpare. They were arranging for the suspects to surrender to Police the next day.

Unfortunately, while all this was going on a mob at Handy Mart made up of street sellers, opportunists and petty criminals decided to take to the streets and attack innocent people of Madang. They attacked the Madang Provincial Government building, including my private residence.

Unfortunately, I left Madang this week to attend a Court hearing in Port Moresby and missed the opportunity to deal with them.

Two staff members that reside at my residence were attacked. One a female who was almost r***d fortunately she was able to fight off her attackers long enough for a Police patrol vehicle to arrive and disperse the mob. Five suspects were apprehended, charged and locked up.

Today's unrest left law abiding citizens of Madang in a state of shock and fear, all while petty criminals attempted to loot shops and attack motorists.

I will be returning to Madang over the weekend, my first priority will be to work with the community leaders to ensure those involved in late Const. Tolpare killing are locked up. The second priority will be to track down each and everyone of those individuals involved in the attack on my residence and Provincial Government headquarters and ensure they are locked up, prosecuted, serve time and evicted from Madang.

I will also be working with relevant authorities to ensure the planned evictions of illegal settlements, during my term, are acted on. I will be re-commencing community policing program in partnership with Police to rid Madang of all petty criminals and put an end to an increase urban drift into Madang.

I express my deepest condolences to the family of late Tolpare. And also extend my sympathies to innocent citizens of Madang who may also been a victim of today's unrest.

26/05/2023

GG ISSUES NOTICE FOR KRAMER’S DISMISSAL FROM OFFICE.

Late Wednesday afternoon of 24 May 2023, a copy of a notice giving effect to my dismissal from office as the Member of Madang Open was circulated on social media. It was purportedly issued by the Governor General’s Office.

Given the errors on the face of the document many raised the question whether it was genuine or fake. I was also contacted by members of the media to provide a comment. However, never being informed of any notice giving effect to my dismissal, I could not confirm or deny the instrument to be genuine or not.

What I can confirm is that on the morning the notice was issued, I had filed my appeal before the National Court. My appeal is requesting the Court to firstly review the decision of the Ombudsman Commission in refusing my request to be given the evidence in my right to be heard notice. Secondly, to review decisions of the Leadership Tribunal in finding me guilty of misconduct in office and its recommendation to the GG for my dismissal from office.

The proceedings may take anywhere between six months to one year to be determined. If unsuccessful in the National Court, I still have the option to appeal the decisions before the Supreme Court. So there won’t be any by-election for Madang Open anytime soon.

As the matter is now formally before the courts, I won’t comment on the merits of my case.

The GG issuing a notice of my dismissal from office acting on the recommendation of the Leadership Tribunal is a mandatory constitutional process. In that GG cannot refuse to act on such a recommendation, however, when it acts on the recommendation is a matter for the GG. The only circumstance where the GG cannot act is where the decision of the Tribunal is appealed and a stay order is obtained from the National Court.

The issue I will comment on is whether the GG’s notice was triggered by the filing of my appeal or just a coincidence. A further issue is since when has it been the practice for the office of the GG to sign, scan and circulate notices of dismissal of a Member of Parliament?

I’m left asking the question, was the notice signed, scanned, and released at the behest of an interested party after learning I had filed my appeal?

Nonetheless, the dismissal notice by the GG does not affect my appeal.
Being dismissed from office doesn’t stop me from using the time to inquire into some unfinished matters concerning high-level corruption. Unlike in the past I’m a lot more informed on the system and those behind it. It also doesn't stop me from reporting to relevant authorities on those involved in corruption.

Being a Member of Parliament and Minister of State imposes limitations on what you can and cannot go after and now with those limitations set aside much can be done.

As far as I'm concerned being dismissed from office as a Member of Parliament is by no means the end of the matter but just the beginning of things to come.

picture: front page of post courier.

01/05/2023

TRIBUNAL DISMISSES KRAMER FROM OFFICE

Press Release Hon. Bryan Kramer.

Today (1/5/23) the Leadership Tribunal handed down its ruling on the penalty in relation to the finding of guilt of the seven (7) counts of misconduct in office against me.

The Tribunal categorized the seven counts of misconduct into two main categories in determining whether there is serious culpability (wrongdoing on my part) warranting my dismissal from office or recommending a lesser penalty of a fine or suspension of no more than three months without pay.

Category 1 included counts 1 and 2 that related to my Facebook publications scandalising the judiciary.

Count 1 being the publication insinuating a conflict of interest by the Chief Justice.

Count 2 related to accusing Peter O'Neill and his lawyer of soliciting the assistance of the Chief Justice and submitting a fabricated document to mislead the Court that the warrant of arrest was defective.

Category 2 included the remaining 5 counts that related to the decisions of the Madang District Development Authority Board in the application of the District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) Funds in renting office space for the establishment of a project office to deliver District projects at the ward level, paying electoral staff who were involved in implementing the projects and establishing a ward project staff structure without obtaining approval from the Secretary of Personnel Management and engaging an associate company that was paid K3,000 a fortnight.

In short, the Tribunal recommended a penalty of dismissal from office in relation to counts 1 and 2 and a fine of K2,000 for each of remaining 5 counts, a total fine of K10,000.00.

Based on the Tribunal’s finding on guilt on seven counts handed down on 21 February 2023, today’s ruling for dismissal was expected.

So what happens now?

The decision recommending dismissal from office will be delivered to the Governor General (GG) to adopt the Tribunal's recommendation to dismiss me from office. The decision of the GG will be gazetted and takes effect. At that point I will no longer be a Member of Parliament.

Of course, it is certainly not the end of the issue as I have already been working on an appeal to challenge the both rulings on verdict and penalty in the National Court, a process that may take three to six months if not longer. If unsuccessful in the National Court, there is the option of appealing to the Supreme Court.

There are many cases where decisions of a Tribunal have been reviewed and overturned in the higher courts.

Today's decision in no way diminishes my resolve in the fight against corruption nor will it keep me from informing the public on issues of national importance or exposing high-level corruption.

In my view it's the calm before the storm.

28/02/2023

TRIBUNAL MAKES FINDING OF GUILT ON 7 OF 13 ALLEGATIONS

This morning, the Leadership Tribunal handed down its decision on the verdict of the 13 allegations referred to it by the Public Prosecutor. The Tribunal made a finding of guilt on 7 of 13 allegations.
After handing down its decision, it adjourned to 20 March 2023 to hear submissions (arguments) on the penalty.

I remain a Member of Parliament until the Tribunal makes a ruling on the appropriate penalty for each verdict.

I have taken note of the findings of the Tribunal and once the matter is fully determined I will provide a detailed response.

Below is the Tribunal’s finding in relation to the 13 allegations.

Allegation 1 – scandalising the judiciary by insinuating the Chief Justice had conflict of interest – this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegation 2 -scandalising the judiciary publishing the words 'what was not anticipated that O’Neill and his lawyers would solicit the assistance of the Chief Justice and desperate enough to submit fabricated document to mislead the Court that the warrant was defective as a means to obtain a stay order – this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegation 3 -involvement and interference in police operations matters resulting in termination of Mr Paull Nii then Director Legal Services - this allegation was dismissed.

Allegation 4 -scandalising the judiciary publishing a criminal complaint of the Chief Justice – this allegation was dismissed.

Allegation 5 –Allowing an associate company, Tolo Enterprise Ltd to benefit through consultancy services to Madang District Development Authority - this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegation 6 -Misappropriation of K455,751.20 to the use of Tolo Enterprise Ltd, a company owned by an Associate – this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegations 7 –Use of District Services Improvement Program (DSIP) Funds in paying Electoral office rental company contrary to SRC Determination 2015 and the DSIP Funds Guidelines. – this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegations 8 –Misappropriation of K299,500 of the Madang DSIP funds and District Support Grants on rental payment of Madang Ward Project Office contrary to DSIP guidelines and SRC Determination of 2015 - this allegation was dismissed.

Allegations 9 –Creating a structure within the Madang DDA without obtaining approval from the Department of Personnel Management - this decision was upheld (guilty).

Allegation 10 –Misappropriation of Madang DSIP on salaries and wages of electoral office staff in the Madang District Ward Project Office contrary to DSIP guidelines – this allegation was upheld (guilty).

Allegation 11 –Abuse of power to allow the appointment of a member of the board to be appointed the secretariate of the Madang DDA – this allegation was dismissed.

Allegation 12 –Misappropriation of K30.6m of Madang DDA funds to the company owned by a member of the Madang DDA- this allegation was withdrawn.

Allegation 13 –Misappropriation of K15.6m of Madang DSIP funds through use of an associate company without following the procurement processes in – this allegation was dismissed.

18/01/2023

WHO WILL BE THE NEXT GG?

By Hon. Bryan Kramer

Tomorrow, (Thu 19/01/2023) National Parliament will convene to deal with the election of the 11th GG of PNG.

Before we answer that question on who will be the next GG, let's first consider some background information on this issue.

What is GG?

The GG stands for Governor-General and is the office that represents the head of the Monarch (Royal Family) of the United Kingdom.

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the current head of the Monarch is King of England, Charles III.

Why does PNG have a GG?

PNG was a colony or territory of the United Kingdom and following independence (self-governance) in 1975, we adopted the United Kingdom system of Government, referred to as the Westminster System. Under this system we remain a member of the British Empire or the United Kingdom’s Realms. We went from a British colony (territory) to a sovereign state, independent government elected by the people but remained a member of the realm (Kingdom) recognising the King/Queen as the head of the State or Government.

King cannot reign over PNG in person, so the practice has been for him to appoint his representative to act for him in PNG. The process to appoint the GG is provided for in the PNG Constitution and long-term traditions of the United Kingdom. Under the PNG Constitution Parliament shall appoint a nominee for the King to consider appointing as his representative in PNG. King may accept or reject any nominee appointed by Parliament to be his representative.

Why the name Governor-General?

Governor meaning responsible to govern and General because the GG in the past would also be the head of any military in the colony or state on behalf of the King.

What is the role and powers of GG?

As the representative of the King, GG’s role is to officially sign on behalf of King/Queen all decisions made by Parliament concerning passing of legislation (law) or National Executive Council. He/she will also officially sign legal instruments concerning appointment(s) of Prime Minister, Ministers, Judges, Ambassadors, and issue of writs for National Elections.

While the GG is the representative of the King of England, the PNG Constitution, and a number of Act (laws) of parliament requires that he/she must act on the advice of Parliament and National Executive Council, provided that advice is lawful. Therefore his/her role is more administrative, requiring him/her to sign legal documents giving effect to the Government or NEC decisions.

Why is the GG important?

Unless the GG agrees to sign the gazettal (legal document or instrument) than any decision of the Government, laws passed, election of Prime Minister has no legal effect.

If you recall the political crisis in August 2011 where Supreme Court ruled that Parliament illegally appointed Peter O’Neill as then Prime Minister, the then GG Sir Michael Ogio initially refused to sign the gazettal not making it official. This resulted in a confrontation outside the Government House before GG finally agreed to swear in Peter O’Neill.

Can GG be sacked /removed from office?

Short answer is Yes - the King/Queen acting on advice of Parliament or National Executive Council may remove the GG.

Who was PNG’s first GG?

Sir John Guise was appointed PNG’s first GG following independence in 1975. Since then, PNG has had ten Governor Generals’.

Who is qualified to be GG?

Section 87 of the Constitution provides qualification criteria for a person to be appointed GG. They must be citizens of PNG, mature persons of good standing within the community and must not hold any other office unless approved by NEC or Ombudsman Commission.

The same provision also states that no person is eligible for appointment as GG more than once unless the Parliament by two-thirds absolute majority vote approves his/her appointment for a second term.

How long is the term of Governor General?

Six years.

Back to the central question of this article, who will be the next GG?

Tomorrow Parliament will deal the election of the GG, there are three nominees vying for the position – incumbent Governor General Sir Bob Dadae, who is seeking a second term in office, Mrs. Winnie Kiap PNG’s retired High Commissioner to United Kingdom and Mr. Steven Pokawin, former Governor of Manus (1997), President of National Alliance Party and current lecturer of law at UPNG.

The election of GG will be subject to two separate processes, the first being to deal with the eligibility of the incumbent Governor General Sir Bob Dadae to nominate for a second term in office. Second process being the actual election of GG.

To be eligible to be nominated as a candidate, Sir Bob Dadae must first secure two thirds (2/3 or 66.7%) absolute majority of votes of Parliament. The term absolute majority refers to the majority of seats in Parliament as opposed to the term simple majority which refers to the majority of Members present in Parliament when voting.

The current Parliament has 118 seats, 2/3 or 66.7% would be 79 votes. Therefore, if he fails to secure 79 votes on Thursday he will not be eligible to be nominated and Parliament may only consider the nominations of Mrs. Kiap and Mr. Pokawin to elect as GG.

Will Sir Bob Dadae secure 79 votes to be eligible to seek a second term?

In my view the short answer is NO.

While there are 118 seats in Parliament there are only 115 Members sworn in - three seats remain vacant, Lagaip Open (failed election) Wewak Open (MP deceased), North Bougainville Open (MP deceased).

To be considered a nominee, a candidate must have a sponsor for their nomination with support of 15 MPs. Therefore, the two nominees, Mrs. Kiap and Mr. Pokawin would have secured a 16 MPs each to support their nomination – suggesting a total 32 MPs are not likely to vote for the incumbent.

115 Members of Parliament less a total 32 MPs who nominated Ms Kiap and Mr Pokawin leaves a total of only 83 Members left to vote for the incumbent Governor General.

There are a further five Members who are absent for medical reasons or in my case suspended, this leaves a total of only 78 Members. With an incumbent needing 79 votes to be eligible just to nominate it appears mathematically and practically impossible to secure the required 79 votes.

Another issue to consider is that in any given Parliament sitting only up to 80-90 members are ever present in Parliament and this will impact the chances of the incumbent securing 79 votes.

The election of GG will be by secret ballot so the nominees may never be certain who voted for or against them.

What happens if the current GG does not secure 79 votes?

Parliament may only consider the nominations of Mrs Kiap and Mr. Pokawin for the election of GG. Under this process they would only need to secure the simple majority of Members present in Parliament. For example if only 80 Members were present then whichever candidate secures 41 votes would be declared the next GG.

Mr Pokawin will have the support of his fellow Manus MPs and those senior Members who know him personally from his time as a Member of Parliament. However, being a former politician and President of a political party it may raise political impartiality issues.

In contrast Mrs Kiap's credentials speak for themselves, having been PNG’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and having a unique understanding of the Monarchy, she is certainly the more experienced candidate for the role.

Add to the opportunity for Members of this Parliament to go down in history for voting in PNG’s first female GG. A milestone achievement that would be well received around the world.

After running the numbers in my view, Mrs Kiap is likely to secure the majority of votes to be appointed 11th Governor General of PNG.

All bets aside what is certain is that we will find out tomorrow.

Picture of late Queen Elizabeth II meeting with Mrs Winnie Kiap

30/10/2022

Australian Drug Dealer to Serve 18 year Sentence.

Congratulations to our Boys in Blue for securing an 18 year sentence against convicted Australian drug dealer David Cutmore.

While the drug laws at the time only provided a maximum sentence of 2 years they were able to secure a higher sentence by laying additional charges under the criminal code.

30/09/2022

28/09/2022

POST COURIER FAKE NEWS
There was never 72 MPs in BNE please name them.

08/09/2022

https://m.facebook.com/looppng/photos/a.1504820623079135/3459961670898344/?type=3

Kramer Meets DLIR Management

Minister for Labour & Immigration, Bryan Kramer, met with staff of the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations recently. Acting Secretary, George Taunakekei was also present to welcome him.

Minister Kramer was briefed on the department’s current development priorities which included its core functions, responsibilities and legal mandates.

The Acting Secretary also informed Minister Kramer about major policy initiatives like the National Employment Policy 2021-2031 that was recently approved by the National Executive Council for implementation.

Kramer stated that his role is to remove obstacles that prevent the department from fully functioning.
A major organizational restructure was approved by the Department of Personnel Management. The department is undertaking this restructure after more than thirteen years in a bid to improve.

01/09/2022

https://www.facebook.com/213810848972510/posts/1747142622305984/

KRAMER: AUTHORITIES TO ENFORCE RESERVE BUSINESS LAWS

The National Government and all its line agencies will now be enforcing the Reserve Business Act, as well as the Minimum Wages Act.

Labour and Immigration Minister Bryan Kramer, said this when responding to questions from Moresby North East MP John Kaupa in Parliament yesterday (Wednesday).

Mr. Kaupa wanted to know if the National Government has any plans to implement the two Laws, to safeguard Papua New Guineans who are currently involved in reserve businesses.

Minister Kramer also says that he is grateful that the Prime Minister has now merged the Labour and Immigration Departments under one Ministry, to assist them to implement these Acts.

''Now that the two ministries come under one Minister it's easy to manage and yes there are laws, some reserve businesses are also on the list but no one enforces the laws,'' said Kramer.

Minister Kramer has also warned that any Member of Parliament, who wishes to prevent foreign-owned businesses from operating illegally, will be exposed.

NBC News- Parliament Team

27/08/2022

DIM-WITTED JOURNALISM

On Wednesday, 24 August 2022, the Post-Courier ran a front-page headline “Kramer Jumps OC Boss." The reporter, Jeffrey Elapa, opened with the line “Madang MP Bryan Kramer, no stranger to publicity stunts, ambushed the Chief Ombudsman (Richard Pagen) in the State Function Room at the National Parliament during the new MP’s induction process.”

The report was completely misleading, mischievously sensationalised and nothing more than dim-witted journalism.

The article went on to suggest that I “pickled the OC’s integrity with questions."

How on earth do you pickle someone’s integrity?

I’m aware of the saying "being in a pickle" (difficult situation) or being "pickled" (drunk), but I’ve never heard of pickling someone’s integrity?

To set the record straight, there was no publicity stunt, ambushing or pickling on the Chief Ombudsman. He was speaking during the Parliamentary Induction Program in the State function room. After he completed his presentation, I asked him a series of pertinent questions on improving the role of the Ombudsman Commission.

These questions had no relevance to my leadership matter, nor did I have a conflict of interest as suggested by the Chief Ombudsman.

Among the queries I raised with the Chief Ombudsman was a concern regarding the number of Leadership cases prosecuted during his term that were subsequently dismissed by the Tribunal. The OC had subjected those Members of Parliament to protracted and expensive investigations and court proceedings. The leaders subjected to these proceedings had their integrity publicly questioned and they and their families endured stress and anxiety. But in each case the Tribunal dismissed the OC’s allegations for being without merit. The OC was completely unaccountable for the stress and reputational damage caused.

The Chief Ombudsman responded suggesting that this was because of corruption in the Judiciary.

“There facts are there … the facts are there and when you bring the system of corrupt[ion] into the judiciary”...the Chief Ombudsman said, on camera.

He goes on to discuss the cases of Hon. Solan Mirism and Sir Puka Temu and accused the Judges and members of the Tribunal of getting it wrong.

However, the Chief Ombudsman failed to provide any evidence to support his scandalous allegation where he accuses the Judiciary in those Leadership tribunals of being corrupt.

During the break of the induction program, a Governor raised the concern that the Chief Ombudsman just accused the judiciary of being corrupt.

Following Richard Pagen's appointment to Chief Ombudsman, he has overseen the referral and prosecution of four Leadership cases. These were for the former Deputy Prime Minister and Member for Bulolo, late Sam Basil, the former Minister for Agriculture and former Member for Maprik John Simon, the former Minister for Public Service and Member for Abau Sir Puka Temu, and the former Minister for Forestry and Member for Telefomin Hon. Solan Mirisim.

In all four cases, the Chief Ombudsman appeared in person to give evidence, and in all four cases the serious allegations of misconduct in office alleged by the OC were thrown out or dismissed by the respective Leadership Tribunals.

Members of the Tribunal in the case against the late Sam Basil were Justice David, (Chairman) and Worships Selefkariu, DCM & Kilage SM. In the case against Solan Mirisim the Tribunal Members included Justice Gavara-Nanu (Chairman) Worships Selefkariu (DCM) Kilage (SM). Tribunal Members in the Puka Temu matter were Justice Mogish (Chairman) Senior Magistrate Nidue and Sakatao.

If there was a story worthy of a front-page, and ought to have been reported by the journalists at The Post-Courier and The National, it was the serious allegation made by the Chief Ombudsman against PNG’s Judiciary.