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Hiri-Koiari MP Hon. Keith Idihu has voiced strong concerns over the country’s economic direction as Parliament prepares for the 2026 Budget debate, warning that poor fiscal management and excessive borrowing are placing an increasing burden on ordinary Papua New Guineans.
Idihu said the Opposition’s key worries remain the same—unsustainable debt levels, unrealistic revenue projections, and weak fiscal discipline, all of which continue to undermine the government’s ability to deliver essential services. He likened fiscal management to PNG’s financial “navigation system,” involving how government raises revenue, allocates funds, monitors expenditure, and makes long-term financial decisions to keep the country stable. However, he said the system is failing. Papua New Guinea is heading into dangerous territory, former prime minister Peter O’Neill warned yesterday, after claiming the Government borrowed another K1 billion last week despite hospitals running out of essential medicines. O’Neill said the country’s financial priorities were “deeply alarming” and placed frontline health workers in an impossible position.
He said the new borrowing comes on top of more than K1 billion recently taken in dividends from Kumul Minerals. O’Neill claimed K600 million had been raised from local banks for the Connect PNG program and K400 million from the ADB for general budget support, bringing the total to K2 billion in a matter of weeks. PNG police have confirmed that two people have died and nine others are receiving treatment at the Pindiu Health Centre after election-related violence erupted in Pindiu, Hube LLG of Finschhafen District. Morobe Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent Samson Siguyaru said the clashes also led to more than 20 homes being destroyed.
Superintendent Siguyaru reported that the unrest started on Tuesday, resulting in semi-permanent and permanent houses being burnt, along with more than four vehicles. He described the destruction as one of the most severe incidents linked to an LLG election in the province. Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has paid tribute to the late Tan Sri Sir Tiong Hiew King, founder of the Rimbunan Hijau (RH) Group of Companies, acknowledging his long-standing contributions to Papua New Guinea’s economic and social development.
In a statement, Marape extended condolences to Tiong’s family, relatives, and the staff of RH companies following his passing in Malaysia on Tuesday. Marape highlighted Tiong’s role in building one of PNG’s largest business conglomerates, operating across forestry, supermarkets, hotels, real estate, and media. Commentary by George Lemako The closure of the University of Goroka is a clear sign that the government has failed to protect one of the country’s most important learning institutions. It is shocking that a small tribe could cause such fear and chaos that the university had to shut down. This shows that the government, police, and defence force have lost control and are no longer able to handle simple local conflicts before they become national problems.
The leaders in both the national and provincial governments have been too quiet and slow to act. When the situation started to get bad, instead of sending enough police to protect the students and staff, the government decided to move everyone out of the campus. That was a weak decision. If police could go in to rescue students, they should have been there in the first place to prevent the trouble from happening. unidentified Neatly Packed Female Body Raises Fears After Second Discovery Near Port Moresby13/11/2025
Police have confirmed the discovery of another unidentified female body, found neatly packed inside a white bag along the 12-Mile Sogeri Road near Ilimo Farm in Central Province.
The disturbing discovery was made earlier this week by locals who alerted police after noticing the bag left by the roadside. Forensic officers from both the National Capital District and Central commands attended the scene and examined the body before it was transported by ambulance to the morgue. Reckless driving continues to claim lives across Papua New Guinea, with three people killed instantly in a fatal traffic accident at Konedobu on Monday, November 10. Police Commissioner David Manning expressed serious concern over the growing number of deaths caused by careless motorists who ignore traffic laws and the safety of others.
Commissioner Manning said CCTV footage of the latest accident showed clear evidence of negligence and reckless driving. The footage revealed a vehicle veering off the road, striking two pedestrians and killing a female passenger in the process. “It is all negligence and reckless driving,” he said, confirming that traffic officers are investigating the incident. PNG Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas has urged provincial governments to avoid launching their own evacuation operations for University of Goroka students, saying such actions could undermine established procedures as tensions remain high following clashes between students and nearby communities over the weekend.
Sir Peter acknowledged that concerns for student welfare are valid, but stressed that UOG is a national institution governed by its own structures that must guide any formal response. He said provincial leaders must wait for direction from the university’s Senate before stepping in. PNG’s University of Goroka has brought its academic program to a halt after violent weekend clashes between students and community members heightened fears for safety on and around campus. The university confirmed the indefinite suspension yesterday, saying it could not continue normal operations under the circumstances.
Vice Chancellor Dr Teng Waninga said the leadership bodies of the institution had held wide consultations before deciding to close. He said differing views were understandable but the priority remained clear. “Stakeholders are concerned… we are supported by many people,” Dr Waninga said. “When decisions are made, not everyone will agree but this decision was made in the best interest of student safety and academic integrity.” Papua New Guinea Madang MP Bryan Kramer has urged the National Government to exercise caution when engaging foreign companies, particularly those with questionable track records or facing legal proceedings overseas.
Speaking during the grievance debate in Parliament, Kramer revealed that a United States firm — reportedly linked to electronic polling and voting systems and allegedly engaged by the Ministry of Administrative Services — was recently indicted in Miami, Florida. He stressed that while an indictment is not a conviction, transparency and public disclosure of such matters are vital to maintain public confidence. |
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