Lus claims being abused by PNGDF
A SENIOR stateman and former prominent politician Pita Lus claimed he and his family members were abused, threatened and nearly killed allegedly by members of the PNG Defence Force.
Mr Lus cited the incident that occurred last weekend at around 11.30pm.
He alleged that more than 15 duty officers from the PNG Defence Force from Taurama Barracks surrounded his residence at Boroko and confronted him and his family, threatening with abusive language and almost killed him. He said the duty officers were in full PNGDF uniforms when they surrounded him and his family.
No reports were received from the military personnel concerned or the police to confirm the allegations.

Sean Dorney to give public lecture today
ONE of the region’s most respected correspondents is to give a public lecture in Port Moresby today as part of the Australia Week 2008.
The Australia Network’s (ABC) Sean Dorney will talk on the topic of “Australia in the Rudd Era – will Australia engage more with PNG and the Pacific?”
As ABC’s most experienced and respected correspondents, he is an acknowledged authority on Papua New Guinea and is the author of two books on PNG affairs.
Mr Dorney lived and worked in Papua New Guinea for almost 20 years and is, remarkably, the only foreign correspondent to have been both deported and awarded honours by PNG.
The first of his three postings to Papua New Guinea began in 1974 just before PNG independence.
Mr Dorney was captain of the PNG rugby league national team, the Kumuls in 1975. He played representative football for two years and later served on the Port Moresby rugby league judiciary panel.
As ABC correspondent, he was expelled in 1984 by the then foreign minister, Rabbie Namaliu, following a dispute between the PNG government and the ABC over the screening of an interview with Irian Jayan rebel leader, James Nyaro, by the Four Corners programme.
But he returned three years later and in 1991 the government of prime minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu awarded him an MBE for “services to broadcasting and sport”.

Ex-speaker Sir Dennis is dead
Former speaker of Parliament Sir Dennis Young has died.
He was 73- years -old.
Sir Dennis died of a heart attack at his home at Losuia in the Trobrian Islands, Milne Bay province last Monday morning.
The Governor of Milne Bay John Luke yesterday confirmed Sir Dennis’ death saying it is a tremendous loss to the Milne Bay community and PNG.
Mr Luke said the late Sir Dennis made significant contribution to the development of this country and was instrumental in forming the newly established government after independence in 1975.
“He was a well respected speaker of Parliament and also served as Minister and acting governor-general of PNG on several occasions,”
Mr Luke said the body of late Sir Dennis has been flown to Alotau.
A funeral mass will be held for him on Friday before he is flown to his home in Losuia for burial.
Sir Dennis is survived by his wife Beatrice, his three daughters and grand children.

‘Solve power problem’
TARI Pori MP James Marabe yesterday urged key Government departments and agencies in Waigani to expedite the release of funds to solve the power problem in Tari township in Southern Highlands province.
Mr Marabe said this in response to The National’s report yesterday about Tari town being without power for a month now.
He said the provincial government had allocated K500,000 to upgrade the faulty Dauli mini hydro.
He has also allocated K200,000 to restore power supply during his last joint district budget priority and planning committee meeting.
But the Department of National Planning, Finance and Treasury in Waigani has not released the money, Mr Marabe said, adding it was “grossly unfair and inhuman as people suffer in the rural areas”.

Illegal miner jailed for trespassing
By SAMPSON BONAI
AN illegal miner was sentenced to 12 months in jail with hard labour for trespassing on the Hidden Valley gold mining construction area in Wau, Morobe province, this month.
Bulolo police spokesman said the man was arrested by Kuima Security officers and handed over to police.
Police warned illegal miners to stay away from the Hidden Valley mining lease area during the construction phase as it was prohibited.
Kuima Security managing director Anton Kaupa said anyone trespassing on the construction site would be arrested by his men.

National museum now open
THE National Museum and Art Gallery is now open. Museum director Simon Poraituk said with the installation of the new air-conditioning system, the humidity in the building is excellent. He encouraged schools in the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province to make use of the services provided by the museum. Those wishing to stage an exhibition can contact the education, access and publication division on telephone 325 2422 or fax 325 1779 for bookings. The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 3.30pm and is closed on Saturdays unless prior arrangement have been made, while on Sundays it is open from 1pm to 3pm.

Warning on global warming
THE ever-growing population in rural areas of Papua New Guinea, who depend on the land often demand to clear off-grown vegetation and cut down trees to put up new gardens or build houses for extended family members. However, what most villagers would not realise was that such activities, no matter how big or small, contributed directly to global warming as well as “unsustainable” life for future generation. Julian Ma’aka, director for national disaster management office in Honiara, Solomon Island, told reporters at a workshop in Honiara that like logging, shifting cultivation which is practiced among most traditional societies of PNG could contribute in a big way to global warming and climate change.

Petromin has to pay compo
KAIRUKU-Hiri MP Paru Aihi wants Petromin PNG Holdings, the new owners of Tolukuma Gold mine, to provide clean water and health facilities for the downstream river communities. He also urged compensation for loss of cash crops, destruction of river system and a disruption of river-based economic activities. He said the water supply systems that had been installed previously by Tolukuma Gold Mine at Gagaifu and Oriropetana villages are grossly inadequate and that the people were more dependent on the Angabanga River into which the mine waste are disposed off.

Vehicle robbed from workshop
TWO suspects dressed in New Guinea Footwear company uniform walked into the Boroko Motors workshop at Badili pretending to be the company’s employees and removed a Mazda 5th Element, D/C silver, rego- BCB 936. The incident took place at around 9am last Feb 26. The suspects used a spare key to drive off with the vehicle. The matter has been officially reported to police.

Suspicious Waigani death
A SUSPICIOUS death was reported at Mirigini House in Waigani. A man collapsed and died and the cause of his death is unknown at this stage. It was alleged that he drank two litters of juice given to him by two men to cure his sickness. He died soon after he drank the leaf juice. Police are investigating the cause of his death.

Domestic row turns fatal
A MAN died when he was stabbed on his chest by his wife during a domestic argument in West New Britain province. Police last Monday reported that the murder took place at Tiauru Section 8 Block 335- Bilala. The suspect is known to police and would be arrested soon.

Man run over by vehicle
A 35-year-old man died instantly, when a vehicle, while reversing, ran over him in New Town, Mt Hagen. Paulus Mek was sleeping near a burning tire when the incident happened. Police are investigating.