Process ‘biased’

PORT MORESBY – The polling and counting in Kandep have been described as biased, deliberate manipulation, blatant corruption and clear unfairness. Don Polye, who lost the seat of Kandep to his main political rival Alfred Manasseh, said in a statement that the current situation on the ground in the electorate and Wabag town was because of the stifling of the people’s rights and their collective votes.

Information law enforced

PORT VILA – Seven government departments in Vanuatu are now formally obliged to provide access to information after a signing ceremony this week. Acting Prime Minister Joe Natuman has signed the first enforcement order under the Right to Information Act brought in earlier this year.

Pay up, Momis pleads

PORT MORESBY – Bougainville’s first government was established in 2005, but John Momis says Port Moresby has failed to fully meet its obligations to Bougainville, both under the PNG Constitution and under the Bougainville Peace Agreement. Mr Momis said PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill needed to act on the long delayed funding issue.

Indonesia denies claims

JAKARTA – The Indonesian government has again rejected claims that rights to the freedom of expression and assembly are restricted in Papua region. Through its embassy in New Zealand, Indonesia has raised the issue with reported comments by Vanuatu’s government in UN forums that basic human rights of West Papuans are being infringed.

BRED Bank opens

HONIARA – The Solomon Islands’ first European bank will open its doors in Honiara on Friday. The French BRED Bank was given the go ahead this week by the governor of the Central Bank of Solomon Islands, Denton Rarawa.