NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

300617EX COMBATANTS SUPPORT PANGUNA WOMEN
By Aloysius Laukai

South Bougainville Ex combatants yesterday supported the actions made by Panguna women to block the ABG team from meeting with landowners to sign a MOU to open the closed PANGUNA COPPER MINE.
Chairman of the South Bougainville Ex-combatants Association, DAVID KONGKORI told New Dawn FM that the issue needs proper consultation between all stakeholders and not just the PANGUNA landowners.
He said that the issue could create division and must not be allowed to proceed with one part of the community against it.
MR. KONGKORI said that the ex-combatants view is that the ABG must not push for the re-opening when underlying issues that started the conflict are yet to be addressed.
He said that the GOVERNMENT must not think about how much in Kina they can get out of Panguna but also look at the reconciliation issues that are still outstanding between the PANGUNA landowners themselves.
MR. KONGKORI said Panguna people are still divided with different factions still operating like the MEKAMUI UNITY GOVERNMENT and the MEKAMUI Original government just to name a few.
He said all the people of Bougainville who died fighting for PANGUNA must not be forgotten in any new deals.
MR. KONGKORI said that as fighters of war, we don’t want to fight for the same thing again.
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30/06/17 GUNS NOT AN ISSUE SAYS MASIU
By Aloysius Laukai
BOUGAINVILLE has enjoyed relative calm and peace despite the presence of arms used during the crisis.
Member for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu made the remarks when commending the ex-combatants and youths in the region for honouring the peace agreement by not using arms in any dispute whatsoever.
During his campaign visits, Mr Masiu was asked about, among other issues whether the referendum will proceed if Bougainville was not free of guns as stipulated in the peace agreement.
He said referendum will be conducted despite the presence of guns.
Member Masiu said there are more guns in Papua New Guinea than on Bougainville yet the national government is insisting that Bougainville rids itself of the guns as a condition for referendum.
“I am proud, and I commend the ex-combatants and youths for the way they have not tried to use guns in any disputes. It is a demonstration of the determination of the people of Bougainville to have peace as they progress towards referendum and ultimate independence,” Mr Masiu said.
“In fact there are more guns in Papua New Guinea than there are on Bougainville yet the national government is turning its back and insisting that Bougainville gets rid of guns on the island,” the member added.
Mr Masiu reiterated that the ex-combatants have given assurance that the guns would be disposed but in the meantime time they are being kept for security reasons.
ENDS/TM

300617TOO MUCH TOO SOON
By Aloysius Laukai

MEMBER for South Bougainville, Timothy Masiu has advised his people against expecting too much too soon from their political leaders.
He said that during his eight months in office it was clear that the people had “very high expectations and very little patience”.
He said although such expectations came about as a consequence of the crisis, he lashed out at past political leaders who have promoted and created the free hand out mentality.
Addressing supporters at a special dinner on Sunday evening, Mr Masiu said he had wanted to do more but time was against him.
He said he has travelled extensively in the electorate and seen and felt the hardships faced by the people.
Mr Masiu said he was seeking re=election to address development issues affecting the people and to transform south Bougainville.
ENDS/TM/WB

300617 MEMBER VOTES
By Aloysius Laukai
AFTER a much deserved rest the sitting Member for South Bougainville finally casted his vote in the company of family members, relatives and village folks.
Mr Masiu travelled from Buin town to Ugubakogu Primary School in his home constituency of Konnou under which his name was listed to vote along with his two sons and other family members. His two elder brothers Chief John Masiu and ABG Minister Willie Masiu also voted earlier at the same polling station before the member arrived.
Meanwhile, there have been encouraging news of people living in what was
known as “no go zone” that was under the control of Mekamui, have been
flocking to the polling stations at the Tabago junction in numbers over the last
two days to cast their vote.
And as polling nears its conclusion, Masiu has encouraged people who have yet to vote to ensure they cast their vote for the candidate of their choice in the remaining days before it is too late.
Mr Masiu reminded the people that the 2017 elections was crucially important because it would be Bougainville’s last to elect leaders to the PNG Parliament before it voted on its future in the 2019 referendum.
He urged the people to take pride in the process of choosing the right leader who they are confident will address the development needs of South Bougainville and at the same time take up the fight on the Bougainville issue.
Apart from common roll issues, people voting throughout South Bougainville has progressed smoothly.
Polling in the electorate has been extended by one day to cover for the one day suspension to allow electoral officials to organise the supplementary roll.
ENDS/WB
Caption of the member voting today

300617POLLING TO CONTINUE TO TUESDAY
By Aloysius Laukai

The Returning Officer for South Bougainville, JOHN ITANU says polling will continue to next week Tuesday.
He told New Dawn FM this afternoon that Polling in all parts of South Bougainville went well until close of Business today.
MR. ITANU said that there will be no polling on Saturday and Sunday but polling will start on Monday.
He said that those areas that had no names on the first few days of polling have Monday to go and vote using the Supplementary Roll printed to cater for voters with no names on the common roll.
MR. ITANU also thanked candidates and supporters for making polling in South Bougainville peaceful and without incident.

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260617 MEMBR THANKED
IT IS not often that people show their appreciation and thank their political leaders for their leadership through feasting.
But for South Bougainville MP Timothy Masiu it was a positive ending to a hectic and tedious eight weeks of campaigning.
Relatives, supporters in the communities of Alomana, Oria, Paghui, Laluai and Oremai hosted a small feast on Sunday to thank Mr Masiu for his “visionary and progressive” leadership in the short eight months in office.
Chiefs from the respective communities including Mr Masiu’s elder brother who is police minister in the ABG Government, Willie Masiu were also invited to the feast.
Organiser of the feast Timothy Koluvai explained: “This is our way of thanking and showing our appreciation to the member for bringing eye opening and life changing development in just eight months of being in office.
“And regardless of whatever the election outcome may be, the gathering is a gesture of appreciation from our hearts to thank to the member and an assurance of our continued support for you because we want change in our communities.”
Member Masiu said he was humbled by their respect and for bringing him to their level.
He said he had walked the breadth and width of South Bougainville in the eight months and he has seen the people’s needs.
But he reminded the people that he was subjected to the leadership code and they must therefore have patience and not to expect things overnight.
Police Minister and the member’s brother, Willie Masiu said the gathering was a gesture of respect not only to Member Masiu, but his family.
It was also a good and encouraging way to conclude campaigning and prepare for polling.
He said God appoints leaders and he was confident Mr Masiu will be returned to serve to the best of his ability and answer the Wisai people’s needs.
ENDS/TM/WB

260617POLLINGS BEGIN WITH ONE CONSTITUENCY IN QUESTION
By Aloysius Laukai

Polling for the 2017 PNG General Election started well in Buin but with one constituency in question.
Polling officials this morning moved Ballot Boxes to respective Polling booths in preparation for the start of polling.
Polling in the troubled constituency, KONNOU went smoothly with five Polling booths.
Polling for MOIKUINAI and NAKATU wards were held at TOKUMOGU village whilst the other wards of RIGO and KUHALA had their polling booth established at the KONNOU Junction market.
The other Polling booth for Konnou was at KOMARU School.
Meanwhile, Polling in the MAKIS Constituency will not take place as the former BRA Commander, ALBERT SIBIM wants outstanding from the 2012 General elections paid before the election take place.
He told New Dawn FM in Buin that he was not happy the Electoral Commission saw fit to conduct the election when they have not paid service providers for the 2012 National Election.
He said he was not happy that the Electoral Manager promised to settle all bills before the polling but have failed again.
MR. SIBIM said that he was not bowing down to anyone as five years is a long time for the Government to pay its dues.

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260617POLLINGS BEGIN WITH ONE CONSTITUENCY IN QUESTION
By Aloysius Laukai

Polling for the 2017 PNG General Election started well in Buin but with one constituency in question.
Polling officials this morning moved Ballot Boxes to respective Polling booths in preparation for the start of polling.
Polling in the troubled constituency, KONNOU went smoothly with five Polling booths.
Polling for MOIKUINAI and NAKATU wards were held at TOKUMOGU village whilst the other wards of RIGO and KUHALA had their polling booth established at the KONNOU Junction market.
The other Polling booth for Konnou was at KOMARU School.
Meanwhile, Polling in the MAKIS Constituency will not take place as the former BRA Commander, ALBERT SIBIM wants outstanding from the 2012 General elections paid before the election take place.
He told New Dawn FM in Buin that he was not happy the Electoral Commission saw fit to conduct the election when they have not paid service providers for the 2012 National Election.
He said he was not happy that the Electoral Manager promised to settle all bills before the polling but have failed again.
MR. SIBIM said that he was not bowing down to anyone as five years is a long time for the Government to pay its dues.

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290617BRIBERY REPORTED
By Aloysius Laukai
TWO people in South Bougainville have voluntarily revealed that they were offered money to vote for a certain candidate.
The cases were reported in Buin district Police bringing to light fears that vote buying and other illegal practices were being employed in other districts of South Bougainville and the region as a whole.
Nunuko Perokana of Masikuru confirmed he was offered K100.00 on the first day of polling on Monday to vote for a Candidate running for the South Bougainville Open seat.
The money was offered by the Candidate’s coordinator.
Perokana is a scrutineer attached to polling team number 138 covering Masikuru village, Masikuru Primary School, Koniguru village and Koniguru Primary School.
He confirmed and showed the cash to coordinators and committees for the sitting member, Timothy Masiu, who have referred the incident to Buin police.
In Makis constituency also in Buin district, the people were given cash ranging from fifty kina to K100 told to vote for this same candidate.
The incident happened on Tuesday at Kokopo village outside Piano as the people were gathering to vote.
Both incidents have been reported to the police who are now hunting down the perpetrators.
On Sunday evening, Mr Masiu warned against bribery and other illegal activities, and anyone caught would face the full force of the law.
Mr Masiu reiterated his warning and commended the two voters for having the courage to reveal illegal acts by desperate people with ulterior motives, but expressed reservations about the fairness of voting during the referendum.
He said every person have integrity and they must be allowed to vote freely without undue influence.
Other reports from South Bougainville is that another Candidate hired a car for two weeks and told supporters that he had paid off the vehicle making his creditors hijacking the vehicle.
Police recovered the vehicle today a silver coloured Ten seated hired by PPP for two weeks.
In another incident a Candidate in South Bougainville is said to have punched a voter for persuading voters to vote for another candidate.

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290617FARMER QUESTIONS SALES IN BUIN
By Aloysius Laukai

A farmer in the Konnou Community Government area is questioning when the NGO Group WORLD VISION became a wholesale company to sell farmers tools in Buin.
The farmer who wants to remain anonymous said that he had received reports that WORLD VISION was selling farmer toold left by MOMPI and was for the farmers of Konnou.
He said WORLD VISION should not sell these equipments but distribute to th Konnou farmers as originally intended.
The farmer questioned why WORLD VISION without any peddlers licence is now selling these tools.
He also questioned who will benefit from the sale of these equipment.
Our attempts to talk to the WORLD VISION officers in Buin were unsuccessful but we saw their white truck doing the sales outside the New Dawn FM office today.

Ends