West Sepik, East Sepik and West Papua Flags Show Our Identity

Amidst the celebrations here at UPNG VC OVAL, this flag (West Papua) that was attached together with the West and East Sepik, carried by the UPNG West Sepik STUDENTS caught my attention.🇵🇬

Carrying the West Papuan’s flag at this time served as a powerful expression of solidarity and remembrance. This act connects cultural pride with political awareness, honoring the shared history and struggles between the people of West Sepik (Sandaun) and West Papua. 

For many, the West Papuan flag symbolizes the fight for freedom, self-determination, and recognition in the face of ongoing political challenges. By incorporating the flag into their traditional dances today, these students are not only celebrating their heritage but also making a statement of unity and support for their West Papuan neighbors. It becomes an artistic and symbolic way to keep the West Papuan struggle visible and alive in the minds of PAPUA NEW GUINEANS, fostering a deeper sense of shared identity across borders.

This gesture speaks to the strong bonds between indigenous groups in Papua New Guinea and West Papua, and it highlights the role of culture in political expression.

Happy 49th Independence Celebrations PNG. GOD BLESS US AND OUR NEIGHBORS FROM WESTPA.🫶🏻❤️

THE BILL TO DECLARE PNG A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY, FELL SHIRT BY 7 VOTES IN PARLIAMENT

The importance of passing the bill would NOT have infringed the rights of other religions or individuals but on the contrary, would have shown to the world that our Parliament and leaders are prepared to declare publicly  the Lord Jesus and the Father God who sent him and the Triune God has the official God if the nation PNG so that on that day God will declare PNG was truly a Christian nation before His angels publically.

Luke 9:26 (KJV)  For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.

It would not be a new idea but a law to consolidate together all other similar events concluded in the past by the PNG government such as...

1. Father of the nation, Grand Chief Somare signed a Covenant declaring PNG a Christian God in writing in 2007.

2. Placed the 400 year old KJV Bible inside the Parliament in 2015.(No Koran or any other Such document inside parliament beside the bible).

3. Declaring the Nation Day of Prayer (to the Christian) God in 2016. 

4. And very recently, PMJM rightfully and wisely opened new PNG EMBASSY in Jerusalem amidst similar opposition both nationally and globally.

I commend the Prime Minister James Marape for taking a bold stance with the majority of his cabinet and caucus members 71 in total to support this bill even as part of his presentation declared an emphatic " Choose you this day whom you will serve.." quoting part of Joshua 24:15. As vulnerable as any human being with shortfalls, PMJM made this bill his second most important contribution toward placing God before the eyes of the globe as truly a Christian country. 

The first was when he declared Jerusalem as the Capital of the State of Israel, despite facing similar opposition.

If this agenda is his second major task to accomplish during his tenure as PM of thus God's nation, he will prevail to see this through amidst the pending VoNC.

I sincerely encourage the opposing 10 MPs to change your mind and vote for this bill. As explained by PMJM, the rights of other religions or persons have not been infringed upon by this legislation.

Do what is expected if the silent majority before God and support it. The blessings are in the unseen realm to be manifested in the natural realm over time.

This legislation supposed to consolidate these long confirmed position accepted by the majority of the populace in PNG. Leaders are supposed to respect the views of the majority.

Those who voted against the Bill need to rethink or your names will be heralded as those who hold differing views on the Christian faith.

Abstract views away from generally accepted faith view expressed numerous times as mentioned must be respected by our leaders.

In so doing, we also profoundly declare and place the destiny of this volatile nation into the hand of the only Living God of Israel who is able to deliver PNG out of its various socio-economic problems it is facing today. 

Some people with no faith or little understanding of the principles of the Bible should refrain from commenting on highly spiritual matters as this one.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

(Romans1:16kjv)

Pastor Tom Watinga. BSc MBA & Evangelist/Pastor.

I forward summary of Parliament response to the second reading of the proposed amendment to declare PNG A Christian country as summarized by article by Solwai Emmanuel Mambei.

CHRISTIAN NATION BILL HALTED

By Solwai Emmanuel Mambei 

01st June 2024 

The Parliament on Wednesday 29th May 2024 voted on whether the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Country would become law. This was the second reading of the Bill. If the Parliament had voted in favour of it, it would then go on to a third reading before becoming Law. 

Parliament needed 79 votes to have the Bill move on to a third reading before becoming law, but fell an antagonizing 8 votes close, with 71 MPs agreeing to the amendment and 10 MPs opposing the Bill. 

As a result of the rejection of the Bill,  the Constitution will not be amended. The constitution will continue to recognise that each of us is free to choose our own religions, be it Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism , etc. 

The Prime Minister though, in a move seen as wanting to keep the Bill alive, moved a motion for the results of the vote to be rescinded, which means the Bill will live to fight another day in Parliament, instead of being dead and buried. 

What are your thoughts on the Bill to have PNG declared a Christian Nation?

Pope thanks Our Lady for Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania

Pope Francis stops at the Basilica of St. Mary Major upon his return to Rome to thank the Blessed Virgin Mary for her protection throughout his 12-day Apostolic Journey.

By Devin Watkins

As he returned to the Vatican from Fiumicino Airport on Friday, Pope Francis stopped off for a brief visit to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

The Pope paused to pray for a moment at the feet of the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani, according to the Holy See Press Office.

He set a bouquet of flowers on the altar in the Gregorian Chapel, expressing his gratitude for her maternal protection during his 12-day Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania.

Pope Francis then returned to his car, which took him to his residence at the Casa Santa Marta in the Vatican.

The Pope visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, making this the longest journey of his pontificate.

Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here

REFLECTION: PNG KINA VALUE 49 YEARS ON

PNG kina value against USD from 16th Sept, 1975 to 16th Sept, 2024. This is a time for all to reflect on our monetary value, how far we have come, and how far we still need to go. 

[Source: BPNG Quarterly Economic Bulletin, WB]

▪︎1975: 1.2993 - Sept 16th, 1975

▪︎1976: 1.2620 

▪︎1977: 1.3709 

▪︎1978: 1.5310

▪︎1979: 1.5654

▪︎1980: 1.5990

▪︎1981: 1.5873

▪︎1982: 1.3986

▪︎1983: 1.2130

▪︎1984: 1.2995

▪︎1985: 1.0100

▪︎1986: 1.0480

▪︎1987: 1.1877

▪︎1988: 1.2003

▪︎1989: 1.1995

▪︎1990: 1.0595

▪︎1991: 1.0578

▪︎1992: 1.0265

▪︎1993: 1.0380

▪︎1994: 0.8958

▪︎1995: 0.7576

▪︎1996: 0.7863

▪︎1997: 0.7300

▪︎1998: 0.5660

▪︎1999: 0.4297

▪︎2000: 0.3545

▪︎2001: 0.3366

▪︎2002: 0.2983

▪︎2003: 0.3789

▪︎2004: 0.3100

▪︎2008: 0.3735

▪︎2009: 0.3700

▪︎2010: 0.3786

▪︎2011: 0.4798

▪︎2012: 0.4755

▪︎2013: 0.4130

▪︎2014: 0.3855

▪︎2015: 0.3325

▪︎2016: 0.3150

▪︎2017: 0.3095

▪︎2018: 0.2970

▪︎2019: 0.2935

▪︎2020: 0.2850

▪︎2021: 0.2850

▪︎2022: 0.2840

▪︎2023: 0.2683

▪︎2024: 0.2567 - Sept 16th, 2024

#FYP #fypシ゚ #fypシ゚viralシ

Vanuatu Gov’t Against LGBTQIA+ Advocacy

The Government of Vanuatu has taken a firm stance against the promotion and advocacy of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and others (LGBTQIA+) rights, following a Council of Ministers (COM) decision on 18 April 2024.

In Decision No. 163, the COM ruled that the Republic of Vanuatu will not encourage or support any LGBTQIA+ activities, including those funded by development partners or Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The decision was made during the Council’s ninth ordinary meeting, with the government citing that LGBTQIA+ practices are in conflict with the country’s Christian principles and Melanesian values, which are embedded in Vanuatu’s Constitution.

The government emphasised that these values must guide the moral standards of the nation.

The Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MoJCS) has been tasked with preparing a national policy to clarify the government’s position on the matter. A working committee, comprising church leaders and chiefs, will be formed to draft the policy, ensuring it reflects the views of Vanuatu’s rural and urban communities.

Human Rights Coordinator Albert Nalpini, under the MoJCS, stated that the decision aligns with the foundational values of Vanuatu, mentioning the principles of Melanesian custom and Christian values are deeply ingrained in the preamble of the Constitution and this is the benchmark of morality in Vanuatu, and the government has made its position clear on this issue.

He said the government is not targeting individuals but addressing specific actions it considers immoral. While all citizens are accepted as members of the community, Nalpini stressed that the government’s focus is on regulating behavior that it deems inappropriate for Vanuatu’s society.

The decision follows a 2018 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by key national organisations, including the Vanuatu Christian Council, Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs, National Youth Council, and Vanuatu Women’s Centre.

These groups opposed LGBTQIA+ advocacy and urged the government not to entertain such activities. This agreement played a substantial role in shaping the current COM ruling.

“The work of the Ministry of Justice now is to develop a national policy. The Minister has issued a letter to its partners to form a working committee, where the committee will develop a concept note. From this concept note, we will create a nationwide policy to guide us in accordance with the COM decision,” said Nalpini.

“I am asking our partners and stakeholders, whom the Minister has requested to participate in the working committee, to collaborate and develop a policy that can support and protect our people, children, and youth, and those who understand the issue.”

He added, “If we look at rights, there are one or two that we call absolute rights, which means we cannot change them, legislate them, or frame them—one of which is the right to live. A person has no right to take away someone’s life.

The rest of the rights that exist can be framed in legislation, and as a sovereign state, we can decide which rights to accept and which not to accept.

“That’s the whole reason why we criminalise certain moral activities that we consider immoral. For example, fighting someone, in our understanding, is an immoral act, so we draw a line and say fighting is not acceptable.

“If the government feels that certain actions are not accurate, then the government will legislate to draw a line. To the partners that support such activities, when the government, which represents the people and drives national policy, sets a direction, we must all comply with that direction.

The churches and chiefs are the main stakeholders in the committee we want to establish. Since they represent the majority of the communities in remote rural areas, as well as at the national level, they are the ones who speak about the standard of morality in our nation, which is reflected in our preamble. This is the principle on which our founders built our country.”

He concluded that Vanuatu’s approach treats every child involved in the issue as a child of the nation, regardless of their background or identity.

The government’s focus is solely on the actions it considers inappropriate, not on the children themselves.

All children of Vanuatu are accepted as part of the nation. However, the behaviours addressed by the COM have been firmly ruled upon. Despite this, these children continue to be part of their respective nasaras, churches, communities, and Vanuatu as a whole.

The decision has drawn attention from both local and international observers, as it clearly outlines Vanuatu’s official stance on LGBTQIA+ rights.

For now, the government’s focus remains on upholding its interpretation of morality based on the country’s Christian and Melanesian heritage.

doddy@dailypost.vu

PAPAL MESSAGE OF LOVE, PEACE TO FORM BASIS OF 49th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY THEME, PM MARAPE SAYS AS HE FAREWELLS POPE FRANCIS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Monday, 09 September 2024: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today farewelled Pope Francis off at Jackson’s International Airport and in so doing, echoed the Pontiff’s call for more love, peace

and unity in Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister attended a mass gathering of youth at the Sir John Guise Stadium with the Pope in the morning, and saw the Head of Vatican off at the airport at about 12pm where the Pontiff is heading to Timor Leste to continue

his world tour of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ of love and peace.

In attendance also at the gathering today was Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, and Minister for Community Development Religion and Youth, Hon. Jason Peter.

Prime Minister Marape said after the farewell that he was grateful for the papal visit which has come at the right time to remind the people of Papua New Guinea of basic societal values of living together as one people, as PNG heads

into celebrating its 49 Independence anniversary.

He said, “I want to express my greatest appreciation on behalf of the people

of Papua New Guinea, especially the Catholic faithful, to Pope Francis for visiting our country.

“The timing could not have been better. I agreed to the timing at the start of planning earlier this year because I felt the Pope, with his global standing and spiritual leadership, would strengthen our people with his words of wisdom and help to prepare us for our 16 September Independence anniversary.

“The Pope’s message has resonated very well with our people and for our country. It was simple yet profound.

“The Pontiff’s core message of unity, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, love, care for one and other including lifting up our fallen brother or sister, and environmental stewardship is relevant, timely and very much needed today.

“In his message to the youth today at the stadium, Pope Francis stressed this

message and highlighted that young people must be responsible for each other, they must pull each other up when one is down – in their families, in their neigbourhoods, in their communities. Not to harm each other but to be each other’s strength when needed.

“These are the same message I have been driving in my own conversations with our people, and as I farewell him, I want to echo it and thank him again for it,” said PM Marape.

Prime Minister Marape also conveyed his appreciation to Papua New Guineans for putting on an exemplary reception for the Pope over the weekend with peace and quiet attitude of self-reflection, and no trouble.

He urged that this similar behaviour be carried forward long-term so the country could experience more peace among its citizens.

“I want to ask our people, as I have continuously done so in the past. Living in peace with each other is the easiest contribution of service our people can render to God and to our country – to live with each other in peace, harmony and respect. It is free and comes at no cost to you.”

Prime Minister Marape reminded the youth of work currently happening under this government to assist better their lives, such as the expansion in distance and opening learning education, the expansion in universities and college spaces, new upcoming scholarships for young people in various programs, and the focus on SME to encourage youth to get into self-employment and also become job creators themselves.

“These are work we have already started. We do not expect things to change overnight but I assure our young people that we have started. I want to ask our people to let politicians play their politics, and let us support our police by maintaining our Law & Order in the country.

“I encourage hard work, ethics in both our living and working lives, and call for healing within us and forgiveness toward each other,” said PM Marape.

The Prime Minister said the theme of this year’s Independence anniversary will reflect the papal visit and message. It will centre on Reconciliation, National Unity, and Respect of the Rule of Law.

“As the Pope leaves us and we head over the week into our 49th anniversary, our nation must ponder on the Pontiff’s message of unity, peace and love.

“We must forgive and reconcile – within our families, tribes because of many tribal

fights, and Bougainville because of its longstanding issue,” said PM Marape.

Ends///

BREAKING: PM MARAPE MAKES LAST DITCH ATTEMPT TO BUY-OUT 70 MPs DESPITE FAILING ECONOMY & SUFFERING OF OUR PEOPLE & BUSINESSES

I am reliably informed that around K62 million was distributed to all the MPs who turned up Hilton Hotel Port Moresby tonight 11/09/2024 in CASH to lure their undivided support, commitment, and loyalty for tomorrow’s VONC motion to be tested against Government by current formidable Opposition. 

Tonight, Prime Minister was bluntly and openly roasted by the some of the senior Ministers, Governors and MPs in their last-ditch (“last super”) meeting at Hilton Hotel attended by little over 70 MPs. 

To those politicians who had the guts and wits to publicly embarrass, shame and expose their anger against an obviously panicking Prime Minister Marape in light of the pending VONC only hours away by a resolute Opposition must be seriously warned that once Marape consolidates and stabilizes his Government soon after beating the VONC tomorrow, your positions, funding and future political career will be on the line; you better all be rest assured. Marape is a Tari man who doesn’t forgive easily those who turn on him, betray or frustrate him. 

Marape never easily forgets those who offend, expose and corner him in government and party caucus, NEC and Parliamentary Meetings: he fixes those who talk big and act big. He has proven himself the bigggesf political bully in PNG history. 

No other political party leader of today can spend K62 million in one night amongst all his Government caucus MPs than Marape. Sir Mekere, Paias Wingti, Sir MT Somare, Peter O’Neill have all never spent this level of exorbitant public funds for VONC than Marape, who is breaking new records and new grounds in almost everything bad for PNG during his tenure as Prime Minister under immense duress and pressure from a fledgling and troubled Pangu Party and Government Caucus.

Knowing very well that his position as head of government is under serious threats from within Government and Pangu Party, apart from Opposition and public pressure for resignation and fast loss of popularity, he has no choice but to fork out a massive K62 million of taxpayers funds (not from his fortune, his business empire, or party fundraisers) to make his last move to silence those who had the audacity to burn their midnight oil having secret meetings within Government and Opposition to overthrow his Government and replace him tomorrow in VONC. Marape knows your names and he will fix you very well when all the dust settles after VONC. 

My best piece of advice is for those who believed that Marape has destroyed their trust, hope, faith, respect and confidence from May 2019 until now and have lately planned secret moves to dethrone him will definitely face his wrath prior to and during 2027 NGE. Better to replace him now than empower him in in your votes in VONC tomorrow. 

Lastly, all the 70 plus MPs who gathered at Hilton Hotel and collected the K62 million of loot from public purse are equally guilty of Marape’s curse, exposed for their love for money more than the love for our poor struggling suffering people in 22 provinces under very toughest economic times and lawlessness. May your children and theirs including your wives and families harvest the curse you voluntarily, deliberately and willingly received from Marape tonight at Hilton. 

If the power blackout tonight during your meeting was an indication of God’s powerful eyes watching over your looting and thievery, your days are all numbered. Prepare to join the last 15 MPs who met their fate in the hands of Nature. 

Otherwise, repent and support the most formidable, credible and astute Opposition of PNG and cause that change of government tomorrow which the entire nation is demanding, expecting, calling and crying out painfully to you 70 plus MPs of government. 

Samson Komati

Chairman

PNG Think Tank Group Inc