Latest news with #PapuaNewGuinea
RNZ News
a day ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 3 June
A police landcruiser patrols the streets of the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins Twenty people on a bus in Port Moresby were rescued by police officers after their bus was attacked at a roadblock. The PNG National reported the passengers were chased off the bus and the attackers stole valuable items. One passenger said someone stoned the bus and the driver lost control, and then others who were hiding in the bushes came out and robbed them. Acting assistant police commissioner, National Capital District and Central, Benjamin Turi said police had already issued warnings for people to take precautions when traveling up and down the highway. The Governor of the Northern Marianas has laid out his administration's economic recovery plans, urging for unity as the CNMI navigates a challenging but improving fiscal landscape. Governor Arnold Palacios also highlighted key accomplishments during his first State of the Commonwealth Address. He said while the CNMI continues to face challenges, its also seeing signs of growth and resilience. Governor Palacios noted that the new 300 business registrations are signs of recovery and confidence. In the past 12 months, a number of big businesses have closed shop or left the CNMI, and a number of Asian airlines have stopped flying there. Access to reliable electricity across the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is now on the cards. The FSM has some of the lowest electricity access rates in the Pacific, particularly in Chuuk State, where two-thirds of households lack power. A new project to be implemented by the government, with financing and technical support from the World Bank, will mean thousands of families will benefit from better, more reliable electricity. The US$42 million project will increase access to electricity for over 3,500 people in remote outer islands, while improving the reliability of existing power supply and supporting the increase in renewable energy across FSM's four states: Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap. Fifty new projects have been announced under the Solomon Islands - Australia Community Partnerships. The Australian High Commission said the projects represent more than 11 million Solomon Islander dollars (US$1.9 million) in direct funding to businesses and communities. The projects include the installation of solar powered streetlights, the construction of new classrooms, upgrades to rural health clinics, and the provision of community water tanks. The Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands Rod Hilton said the initiatives will deliver practical benefits to communities, while also supporting local businesses and jobs. Fiji Airways managing director and chief executive officer, Andre Viljoen, is stepping down in October this year. Fiji Airways chairperson, Nalin Patel said Viljoen has accepted the position of CEO at Air Mauritius and will be returning home after a decade of exceptional leadership in Fiji. Patel said under his stewardship, Fiji Airways' annual revenue has grown significantly, from FJ$815.3 million in 2015 to $1.9 billion in 2024. He said Viljoen will remain on the board of directors after his transition. Samoa has marked its 63rd independence day celebrating achieving sovereignty in 1962. Festivities commenced on Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the Catholic cathedral in Mulivai. On Monday, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa raised the national flag outside the government building in Apia. Additional celebrations are taking place throughout the week.
RNZ News
4 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Call for action against violence in Papua New Guinea
Satellite map view of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Google Maps A journalist says people in Papua New Guinea want action to violence - not just the usual condemnation from leaders. Another gruesome video is circulating social media from Enga Province, which has a recent history of tribal conflict. RNZ Pacific correspondent Scott Waide said people are calling on their leaders to act. "A lot of them are asking why we keep having this kind of violence in the province and being recorded on social media," he said. "Some people have been questioning why we've introduced anti-terror laws and yet it's being slow to be implemented in the district." He said the video came from Kompiam-Ambun, the electorate of former speaker Sir John Pundari. "There's been no political responses yet, the police have indicated that there are looking into it but the responses, as usual, will come a few days later. "They don't want [just] the usual condemnation; they want condemnation and action arrests." Waide said police have found it difficult to go into heavily armed villages and make the arrests. "We had an incident last week where a PNG Defence Force unit had to fight its way out of an ambush. "The total number of police killed so far since 2017, and I've counted this myself, is between 20 and 25 officers killed, either shot or stabbed or ambushed." He said the legislation is there to tackle the outbreaks of conflict. "They've increased the penalties for gun possession, illegal possession of firearms; they've increased the penalties for drugs. "It's not just the implementation; it's the resourcing that will allow for the implementation to happen, for the enforcement to happen. "It's a complex area that government is trying to deal with, but the results will take a few years."
RNZ News
4 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
PNG faces deadline for fixing issues with money laundering and terrorist financing
Photo: -Analysis Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) systems or face the severe repercussions of being placed on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "grey list". The FATF has imposed an October 2025 deadline, and the government is scrambling to prove its commitment to global partners. Speaking in Parliament, Prime Minister James Marape said Treasury Minister, Ian Ling-Stuckey has been given the responsibility to lead a taskforce to fix PNG's issues associated with money laundering and terrorist financing. "I summoned all agency heads to a critical meeting last week giving them clear direction, in no uncertain terms, that they work day and night to avert the possibility of us getting grey listed," Marape said. "This review comes around every five years. "We have only three or four areas that are outstanding that we must dispatch forthwith." PNG is no stranger to the FATF grey list, having been placed under increased monitoring in 2014 before successfully being removed in 2016. However, a recent assessment by the Asia Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) highlighted ongoing deficiencies, particularly in the effectiveness of PNG's AML/CTF regime. While the country has made strides in establishing the necessary laws and regulations (technical compliance), the real challenge lies in PNG's implementation and enforcement. The core of the problem, according to analysts, is a lack of effective prosecution and punishment for money laundering and terrorism financing. High-risk sectors such as corruption, fraud against government programmes, illegal logging, illicit fishing, and tax evasion, remain largely unchecked by successful legal actions. Capacity gaps within key agencies like the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor have been cited as significant hurdles. Recent drug hauls have also highlighted existing flaws in detection in the country's financial systems. The implications of greylisting are far-reaching and potentially devastating for a developing nation like PNG, which is heavily reliant on foreign investment and international financial flows. Deputy Opposition leader James Nomane warned in Parliament that greylisting "will severely affect the economy, investor confidence, and make things worse for Papua New Guinea with respect to inflationary pressures, the cost of imports, and a whole host of issues". If PNG is greylisted, the immediate economic fallout could be substantial. It would signal to global financial institutions that PNG carries a heightened risk for financial crimes, potentially leading to a sharp decline in foreign direct investment. Critical resource projects, including Papua LNG, P'nyang LNG, Wafi-Golpu, and Frieda River Mines, could face delays or even be halted as investors become wary of the increased financial and reputational risks. Beyond investment, the cost of doing business in PNG could also rise. International correspondent banks, vital conduits for cross-border transactions, may de-risk by cutting ties or scaling back operations with PNG financial institutions. This "de-risking" could make it more expensive and complex for businesses and individuals alike to conduct international transactions, leading to higher fees and increased scrutiny.
New York Times
5 days ago
- New York Times
When the Met Renovated, It Listened to Villagers 9,000 Miles Away
The intricately painted panels of crocodiles, flying foxes and cassowary bellies hovering above the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will have a different look when the gallery reopens this weekend, after a four-year-plus renovation. The piece, called Ceremonial House Ceiling, was reconfigured through a collaboration with the Kwoma people of Papua New Guinea, some 9,000 miles away. This is probably the first time Pacific artists had input into its reinstallation since it was first displayed at the museum in 1982, when the wing opened. The number of panels, called pangal, which are individually painted sago palm petioles, has also dwindled to 170 from over 270. Pangal created by the Kalaba clan are now positioned south of the central spine that divides the structure. The other half were made by the Wanyi and are closer to the north. The pangal, through their designs, are a map of the cosmos, mythical knowledge and clan histories. They are hung in the men's ceremonial house, the largest and most sacred building in a Kwoma village. It is where initiation rites of young men, ceremonies tied to yam cultivation and other important events, are held. Museum staff jumped at the chance to collaborate with the Kwoma people, who were deeply involved in the project and came to New York for the gallery's reopening. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Call for action against violence in PNG
Satellite map view of Enga Province in Papua New Guinea. Photo: Google Maps A journalist says people in Papua New Guinea want action to violence - not just the usual condemnation from leaders. Another gruesome video is circulating social media from Enga Province, which has a recent history of tribal conflict. RNZ Pacific correspondent Scott Waide said people are calling on their leaders to act. "A lot of them are asking why we keep having this kind of violence in the province and being recorded on social media," he said. "Some people have been questioning why we've introduced anti-terror laws and yet it's being slow to be implemented in the district." He said the video came from Kompiam-Ambun, the electorate of former speaker Sir John Pundari. "There's been no political responses yet, the police have indicated that there are looking into it but the responses, as usual, will come a few days later. "They don't want [just] the usual condemnation; they want condemnation and action arrests." Waide said police have found it difficult to go into heavily armed villages and make the arrests. "We had an incident last week where a PNG Defence Force unit had to fight its way out of an ambush. "The total number of police killed so far since 2017, and I've counted this myself, is between 20 and 25 officers killed, either shot or stabbed or ambushed." He said the legislation is there to tackle the outbreaks of conflict. "They've increased the penalties for gun possession, illegal possession of firearms; they've increased the penalties for drugs. "It's not just the implementation; it's the resourcing that will allow for the implementation to happen, for the enforcement to happen. "It's a complex area that government is trying to deal with, but the results will take a few years."
