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New Generation party launch
THE New Generation Party will not be treading on unfamiliar grounds when
they launch the party branch in East New Britain today. According to
interim president Paul Arnold, the party should not encounter the
problem it experienced in Wewak although Pangu Pati has a strong
influence in the province. The party will open its branch office in
Kokopo town, followed by a golf fundraising event tomorrow at the Ralum
Country Club. Party leader Bart Philemon (right) is expected to attend.
Mr Arnold said once the party was launched, it would give the
opportunity for the recruitment of potential candidates in the four
electorates in the province.
PDM Bougainville branch ready
THE People’s Democratic Movement party supporters last week elected
Bougainville branch executives to prepare for this year’s national
election. The committee is chaired by Joe Elijah, Richard Lyons is the
deputy and Justin Vakoansi is the secretary. Mr Elijah announced the
party would endorse former deputy prime minister Michael Ogio for the
North Bougainville seat. Sitting MP James Togel dethroned Mr Ogio for
this seat in 2002. No candidates have been chosen yet for the Central
and South Bougainville and the party would not put up a candidate
against regional MP Leo Hannett (above), Mr Elijah said. Bougainville is
viewed as a National Alliance Party’s stronghold, with three of the four
MPs from the autonomous region in the party.
Relative foils suicide attempt
A WOMAN who tried to kill herself after an argument with her husband was
admitted at the Angau hospital in Lae last week. Police reported that
the woman tried to commit suicide during lunch time at the couple’s home
after an argument. It was alleged that the wife took a rope and tried to
hang herself from the ridge of the house but a relative outside saw her
and cut the rope to prevent her taking her own life. The incident took
place at the Asian block of Kamkumung when the husband was away to buy
vegetables at the nearby Kamkumung market. Lae Metropolitan commander
Supt Simon Kauba said: “Police are investigating the incident.”
Lae auto parts shop robbed
POLICE in Lae are investigating a theft in which three armed men walked
away with K32,000 along with a car belonging to Ideal Auto Parts. The
incident happened on Monday. Police said company employees were held up
by the rascals with two factory-made pistols. The gang escaped in the
car with more than K30,000 worth of cheques and K2,000 cash. Lae
Metropolitan
commander Supt Simon Kauba said: “The robbery looks like an “inside job”
to us (police) and we are asking the employees to co-operate with us so
that we can identify the culprits and those responsible,” he said.
Salika takes leave
THE PNG Defence Board of Inquiry will continue in the absence of the
chairman Justice Gibbs Salika who will be away on a one-week business
trip beginning today.
Justice Salika made this announcement at the end of the yesterday’s
proceedings saying that the inquiry had heard almost all of the
witnesses but only one or two more may have to be called to give their
evidence.
He said any more witnesses called in the next week would be heard by the
two commissioners deputy chairman Brig Gen (Retired) Anthony Huai and
private lawyer Daniel Liosi.
“If there are any witnesses to be called, the other two commissioners
are here; they can sit and hear their evidences. Just because I am away
does not mean the inquiry should adjourn,” Judge Salika said yesterday.
Only two Defence personnel appeared before the inquiry yesterday.
They were the Defence Secretary Frederick Punangi, who appeared for the
second time, and Col Max Aleale, Operations commander, who denied any
knowledge of the Julian Moti escape on the night of Oct 10 last year.
The inquiry adjourned to this morning.
Resign for polls: Barter
HEALTH Minister Sir Peter Barter said public servants in the health
department intending to contest the national election were given a
written warning to resign in November last year.
Sir Peter said those who were still in the system should not be there.
“They should resign. They should not be using hospital resources for
election purposes,” he said.
He was responding to questions raised by Sandaun Governor Carlos Yuni
during Question Time in Parliament yesterday.
Mr Yuni claimed certain members of the hospital management were
contesting the elections.
Governor Yuni also asked if the Government would increase wages of
church health workers.
Sir Peter said the Government had allocated K9.7 million to pay church
health workers.
 
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