Oridek Ap: Oom Peter.- R.I.P. Peter Kafiar

We have lost an elder, Bpk Peter Kafiar.

He left all friends and family behind in West Papua to look for knowledge and a better future for his people. He has been living in the Netherlands since early '60s. He was a member of the National Liberation Council (NLC).

Since 2002 he was a supporter and adviser of the Free West Papua Campaign (NL).

He was a man of few words, but always willing to help when asked for his advise.

We will miss his physical presence, but know that he will join our Legion of Fallen Heroes. We will carry his name in our hearts and struggle on.

Dear Uncle Peter,

Thank you very much for your love and patience. I can still remember the day we arrived in the Netherlands (I was 9 years old), you and aunty Adri gave us shelter and a safe home in the Hague. You spoiled me and my siblings with hot cholate milk during the cold dutch winter. And was always very patient, you knew that Indonesia killed our father so you wanted to give us love and a safe home..

Few weeks ago, you already said goodbye, you cried and held my hand tightly. No words, I looked in your eyes and understood what you wanted to say. I said 'Het komt goed', don't worry everything is going to be alright, we will struggle on.

Your last firm handshake before I left for Melanesia. I knew you was already preparing for your journey.

Kasumasa nabor kaku, Thank you very much for your Fighting Spirit.

Araaa......Marandan bebye Imem.

On behalf of Arnold C. Ap family and

Free West Papua Campaign (NL) family.

Oridek Ap

Google Doodle celebrates Indonesia's sago porridge ‘Babur Sagu’

Google Doodle on Friday celebrated Papeda or Bubur Sagu, a delicious sago porridge that’s a staple in Eastern Indonesia and has gained popularity all over the world.

As per the description, on this day in 2015, Papeda was publicly declared an ‘Indonesian Intangible Cultural Heritage’.

“Millions of sago palm trees veil the islands of Indonesia, and each year locals harvest it with the intention of exporting to other countries or for cooking —like making papeda. One sago tree can produce nearly 150 to 300 kilograms of sago starch!"

This crop not only offers a well-rounded array of nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, calcium, and iron but also holds significant cultural importance to the communities throughout Indonesia that have relied on it for generations. 

Sago continues to play a vital role in various Papuan and Moluccan rituals and ceremonies, such as the Watani Kame, which commemorates the conclusion of an individual's life cycle.

How to make Papuan?

Once you've extracted the flour-like substance from the trees, mix it with boiling water and stir until it reaches the desired thickness. Enhance the flavor by adding turmeric, basil, lemongrass, and salam leaves. To make it even more delicious and nutritious, you can incorporate your favorite fish. This results in a truly delectable and nourishing dish, one of Indonesia's renowned culinary delights

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Vanuatu's 27th PM Calls for Political Stability

By Doddy Morris

The newly elected Prime Minister (PM) of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, said the system of changing the Government regularly does not help the country in terms of development.

Mr. Salwai, who became Vanuatu’s 27th PM yesterday, stated this during his official speech at the Parliament House in Port Vila after defeating the former PM, Sato Kilman in a motion of no confidence.

He went on to say that the system of changing the Government regularly will not attract new potential investor to Vanuatu and is not assuring the citizens of Vanuatu since there is no stability and continuity on the policies.

“We all know that Vanuatu is facing various challenges, including natural disasters such as climate change-related issues, economic and social challenges affecting our citizens, including challenges in the private sector, and last but not least, political instability,” PM Salwai said.

“It is less than 12 months since the establishment of Mr. Ishmael Kalsakau’s government after the October 2022 snap elections. Today marks the second time that we, as a nation, have changed a government.

“I apologise to the previous government, but we find ourselves in a democratic system where the composition of Parliament can change, and the government must adapt accordingly,” the newly elected PM stated.

He continues to state that one of the main responsibilities of the government he leads is to find, together with the opposition, legal solutions to address political instability, any government that achieves an “absolute majority” should not assume that the country will automatically adopt a system of political stability.

“Vanuatu, in the past years under successive governments, has adopted many good policies such as the National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP) followed by each government ministry.

“We know that the government must address issues such as infrastructure, transportation, sea and air transportation, the national airline, utilities like telecommunications, energy, and water, education accessibility, and various issues concerning private sector growth and the legal vacuum within the public administration system. These issues require urgent attention,” the PM stated.

“A government with good policies must not fall into the trap of concentrating solely on programs that are hindered by slow progress due to civil servant inefficiency. An example is the recovery projects after natural disasters like cyclones or volcanic eruptions, which the people expect the government to deliver efficiently. People may blame the government for not doing its job, but in reality, the power to execute tasks lies in the hands of civil servants. However, when a government is concerned about its survival, it may not have the time to push its workers to perform.

“The government also needs to come up with new policies in response to the rapid global changes. This government will put a strong emphasis on foreign policy, something Vanuatu has not had since 1980. There are many opportunities out there for Vanuatu to capitalise on, but we must have the right policies in place to benefit from these opportunities.”

He announced that within two weeks’ time, his government will publish all the priority action programs which they will be working with during his term.

“I address you today as the head of Government, and we must take political instability seriously. We have a draft bill that is ready for review to suit the political environment of Vanuatu. Vanuatu’s rules must allow for different governments, but there are times when we need to have stability.

“I also appeal to the Head of State, the Chiefs of Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, and the Church leaders through the Vanuatu Christian Council to support the government in its efforts to achieve political stability,” the PM said.

Mr. Salwai is serving as the PM of the Republic of Vanuatu for the second time. He was elected as the 23rd PM of Vanuatu on the 2nd of February in 2016 and served for four years till 20th of April 2020.

He had also served as an MP in the 7th Legislature from 2002 to 2004, 8th Legislature from 2004 to 2008, 9th Legislature from 2008 to 2012, 10th Legislature from 2012 to 2015, 11th legislature from 2016 to 2020 and the 13th legislature from 2020 to October 2022.

The newly elected government did not manage to appoint a Deputy PM (DPM) yesterday. PM Salwai stated that they will be meeting soon to appoint one.

doddy@dailypost.vu

2nd MSG PRIME MINISTER’S CUP: UNITED BY SPORT, LINKED BY CULTURE

PORT VILA, VANUATU (9th October 2023): The second edition of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Prime Minister’s Cup was officially opened at the Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Noumea, New Caledonia, with a parade of delegations from the competing countries of Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia on Saturday, 7th October 2023.

Under the theme, "United by sport, linked by culture", the tournament aims to strengthen cultural ties among Melanesian countries and spread the values of exchange and sharing through sports.

On behalf of the Director General of the MSG Secretariat, Leonard Louma, Senior Advisor Chris Waiwori, conveyed the Secretariat’s warm appreciation and gratitude to the Government of New Caledonia, and the FLNKS as a Member of the MSG, for the confidence and capability expressed to host the regional competition.

The main objective of the MSG Prime Ministers’ Cup, among others, is to provide an avenue to advance and improve the competitiveness of the MSG Members’ national football teams (both men and women) into new heights.

Mr Waiwori said the short-term objective is to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and to ensure that one of the MSG Member team qualifies for a spot at the FIFA World Cup.

The long-term vision he said, is to ensure that both male and female football talents and competency in the MSG are developed to a standard commensurate with other leading national football teams from other football confederations in the world.

“Above all, our gathering here in New Caledonia is yet again a testament of our Solidarity, as envisioned by our MSG Leaders, to enhance people-to-people interaction and sharing.

“Today also marks an important opportunity for us to show our respects and gratitude to our brothers and sisters in New Caledonia who are very much part of our Melanesian family,” he said.

The inaugural PM’s Cup, hosted by Vanuatu last year, was a culmination of a dream by our MSG Leaders, to revive the Melanesian Cup under the banner of the MSG Prime Ministers Cup.

The Local Organizing Committee and the New Caledonia Football Association, Oceania Football Confederation, sponsors, in particular the Government of Australia were also acknowledged and commended for the continuous support. Fiji is not participating due to lack of availability.

The tournament is scheduled for 8th-14th October.

#msg

#wanpipolwanrijan 🇫🇯 🇳🇨 🇵🇬 🇸🇧 🇻🇺

Caption: Teams lining up for the opening parade to mark the launch of the 2nd MSG Prime Minister's Cup.

Families mourning loved ones over betel nut piracy attacks in Papua New Guinea

A rise in piracy attacks on traders transporting betel nut to Papua New Guinea's mainland has been raised by authorities on Manus Island.

Constitutional experts say Australia should look to the Pacific for examples of how indigenous voices can be represented in parliament.

Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. has rejected criticism by his Solomon Islands counterpart over the US-Pacific Leaders Summit in Washington DC.

Torres Strait Islanders say Australia is failing to protect them from climate change despite a UN decision.

Papua New Guinea's second-largest city will begin welcoming international flights, after the opening of a new airport terminal near Lae.

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Formalization of Melanesian informal settlements

he Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Sakiusa Tubuna, assured Fijians of Melanesian descendants that the coalition government is working on formalizing all Melanesian informal settlements.

Tubuna was part of the auspicious occasion charting a way forward for the new era of the Melanesian community in Fiji by launching the project of formalizing Melanesian descendants’ settlement in Fiji.

Tubuna says that the Coalition Government is committed to enhancing the social and economic condition of the Melanesian descendants.

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“The government will continue to address the injustice inflicted upon the iTaukei people in the last decade, and amongst that is the addressing mechanism for the Fijians of Melanesian descendants who have called Fiji their home and have been integrating into different communities throughout Fiji.”

Tubuna is urging Melanesian descendants to work with the government to address their concerns on land security, community disintegration, livelihood opportunities, and escalating poverty in their communities.

Tubuna says that Melanesian ancestors have contributed significantly to Fiji’s development over the years, and their legacy is intertwined with Fiji’s history at every turn.

Source here