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MALAYSIA GETS A NEW PRIME MINISTER — THE COUNTRY’S THIRD IN 3 YEARS

Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah has named Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the new prime minister, the palace said in a Friday statement. Ismail will be Malaysia’s third prime minister in three years. He will be sworn in on Saturday after receiving the support of 114 members of parliament, the palace said. That’s more than the 111 required for a simple majority. Ismail’s predecessor Muhyiddin Yassin resigned on Monday after a little over 17 months in power. Muhyiddin had lost majority support in parliament due to infighting within his ruling political coalition. The appointment of Ismail, who was deputy prime minister under Muhyiddin, would essentially keep the ruling coalition intact. But his ascent means that the country’s longest-governing political party — the United Malaysia National Organisation or UMNO — has reclaimed Malaysia’s premiership after a shocking loss in 2018. UMNO was the dominant party in a coalition that ruled Malaysia for over 60 years, but it lost power in the 2018 general elections due to a financial scandal involving state fund 1MDB. The party returned to power in 2020 after the sudden resignation of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, which allowed Muhyiddin to form the current ruling coalition. Muhyiddin said in a Thursday statement that lawmakers in the coalition who are not from UMNO would support Ismail as the new prime minister, on condition that the new cabinet doesn’t include anyone with court charges. Several UMNO lawmakers, including party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and former Prime Minister Najib Razak, currently face corruption charges. Both Zahid and Najib have denied wrongdoing. ‘Recipe for instability’ Before the appointment of Malaysia’s new prime minister, political analysts said Ismail would be a poor choice due to his association with the Muhyiddin government — which was widely criticized for mishandling the country’s worsening Covid-19 outbreak. Ismail’s appointment will not end the political uncertainty that Malaysia has faced since the 2018 elections, said analysts. The political situation in Malaysia is a “recipe for instability,” Peter Mumford, practice head for Southeast and South Asia at risk consultancy Eurasia Group, told CNBC’s “Capital Connection” on Tuesday. Malaysia has many political parties and none hold more than 20% of parliamentary seats, while politicians don’t differ much in their economic ideology as politics is mostly driven by race and religion, explained Mumford. In addition, politicians are not loyal to their parties and are “quite happy” to switch parties, he said. “One of the key ways out of this political mess is for another round of general elections, and then after that negotiations on who could be the next prime minister. And if those elections result in a party or a coalition having a clear majority, then there’ll be more of a stable government,” said Mumford. SOURCE: CNBC NEWS

Published on August 21, 2021

LIHIR’S CONTRIBUTION TO PNG RISES IN PAST FINANCIAL YEAR

Newcrest Mining Limited has released its annual results for FY2021, a year which has come with significant challenges due to COVID-19 across all its operating jurisdictions. Fortunately at Lihir there were no material COVID-19 interruptions to operations during the reporting period, which was only possible through the dedication and support of the Lihir workforce. Craig Jones, Chief Operating Officer PNG, reiterated this during his presentation of the annual results, “Our workforce has demonstrated great resilience, some of whom were away from home for many months. Overcoming these challenges would not have been possible without the assistance of the Lihir community and Nimamar Local Level Government, with whom we have worked alongside throughout this period.” While Newcrest was able to maintain operations, the measures taken to minimise the impact of the pandemic on Newcrest’s employees and host communities, and ensuring a safe operating environment, has resulted in additional costs for the last financial year of K185 million. This has impacted the All-in Sustaining Costs at Lihir, which was US$1,370 per ounce. During FY2021, total gold production at Lihir was 737,082 ounces, which was within guidance for the period. Lihir is well positioned for the future, with aspirations of more than 1 million ounces of gold per annum. Despite the difficult operating environment, Newcrest is pleased to report a continued significant contribution to the PNG economy. In fact, there has been an increase in the overall contribution to Government revenue in the last financial year. Newcrest contributed K80 million in Corporate tax, and K203 million in additional taxes such as salary and wages tax, production levy and customs and excise taxes. For the year ending 30 June 2021, Lihir paid K99.6 million in royalties. Newcrest has also created economic value for PNG in other ways, with a workforce of around 5,000 people, which includes 2200 permanent PNG national employees and 2,800 contractors. Where possible, Lihir prefers to buy local and, given the size and scale of the operation, this translates into a significant investment into the PNG economy, with approximately K1.05 billion paid to PNG suppliers in the last financial year. This expenditure included investment in infrastructure, equipment, maintenance and consumables.

Published on August 21, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/tigers-secure-6th-minor-premiership-in-11-years/

Published on August 20, 2021

TIGERS SECURE 6TH MINOR PREMIERSHIP IN 11 YEARS

The Lae Snax Tigers have record a 6th minor premiership in Papua New Guinea semi-professional rugby league in season 2021. And adding to the 11 years of participation in the Digicel Cup competition under the franchise ownership of the Lae Biscuit Company since 2011. Following a dominating season opening in 2021 leading the competition for 9 straight weekends, Tigers impressive early dominance in the season pushed them to retake the lead at the end of the normal rounds summing up 9 wins and 2 loss ahead of their nearest rival on points aggregate. It's been a tough and short season aback setbacks of the global pandemic Covid-19 since last year yet maintaining a team bonding to always standout. ‘’It was a tough season 2021 with teams peaking at the right time so you can see from how tight it was with the top 3 teams all on 18 points,’’ Tigers head coach Stanley Tepend said. Tigers have 2 weeks to recuperate and come back better in the finals playoffs as it’s always the toughest end of any season. ‘’The break gives us time to get bodies rested for players carrying injuries. At this stage we know we playing Muruks so we will go as underdogs as they beat us two weeks ago. They were unlucky against Vipers on Sunday but I know they will want to bounce back against us. Muruks are a good side with strike players everywhere,’’ Tepend said. So far Tigers bagging their 6th minor premiership in 2021 are in the race for a 4th premiership win in 2021. Tepend extended a very big thank you to franchise owner the Lae Biscuit Company, support sponsors Classics Engineering, Hawk Eye Security, Wenett Construction, Prima Smallgoods, Seeto Kui, Raumai 18 and Lae City Authority always there for the team in another season. Tigers minor premiership record started in 2014 and consecutively from 2015, 2016 and 2017 then in 2019 and now in 2021.

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/international-community-affirms-support-for-pngs-forest-protection/

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/delta-variant-behaves-differently-from-covid-19/

Published on August 20, 2021

DELTA VARIANT BEHAVES DIFFERENTLY FROM COVID-19

The new Delta Variant strain is behaving differently from the original COVID-19 virus and spreads faster among an unvaccinated population. Deputy Controller of the National COVID-19 Control Centre, Dr Daoni Esorom made this statement while warning citizens about the impact the virus has on unvaccinated individuals. He said the symptoms of COVID-19 includes fever, dry cough, joint pains, loss of taste and smell, flu-like symptoms and headache, however the Delta Variant does not show some of the symptoms mentioned. “Delta Variant is behaving differently, patients now are coming forward with fever, headache and flu like symptoms but there is no dry cough or loss of taste and smell.” “The evidence is showing us that it spreads very fast in very crowded environment and among an unvaccinated population.” Dr Daonie said the COVID-19 Health and Safety protocols they have put out from the beginning are still relevant today and the public should strictly follow those protocols while opting for vaccination.

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/new-laptops-for-bougainville-womens-federation/

Published on August 20, 2021

NEW LAPTOPS FOR BOUGAINVILLE WOMEN'S FEDERATION

Australia has gifted three new laptops to the Bougainville Women’s Federation (BWF), increasing connectivity and strengthening support to regional and district women’s organisations. BWF President Priscilla Bisiro and other leaders were all smiles in Buka earlier this month when the Australian High Commission’s Annie Hildebrand handed over the devices. As the BWF continues to expand, the laptops will provide much-needed support to members to connect with and coordinate BWF programs with regional offices in North, Central and South Bougainville. Priscilla Bisiro said the laptops would enhance the work of women leaders at the district level. “The BWF will now be able to keep proper records for each BWF district women’s association and the three BWF regional offices as well,” she said. Helen Siumana, BWF North Regional Office Vice President, was also at the handover ceremony and said access to technology would help to develop computer literacy among members, enhance skills development and facilitate more flexible working arrangements. “BWF Women leaders at the District level will be fortunate to organise work at their own level and also benefit from learning new skills, such as PowerPoint presentations,” she said. “Having access to laptops means meetings with the peak body executives can be held via [online video conference platforms] Zoom and Webex, instead of travelling all the way to Buka.”

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/nri-findings-to-guide-urban-settlement-upgrades/

Published on August 20, 2021

NRI FINDINGS TO GUIDE URBAN SETTLEMENT UPGRADES

The National Research Institute launched the findings of a study it carried out in squatter settlements in NCD in an effort to guide policy makers in the upgrading of these settlements. The study, “Strategy to improve the living conditions in informal settlements in Papua New Guinea: Evidence from Port Moresby” (PNG NRI Discussion Paper No.190) is aimed at improving the living conditions and welfare of informal settlement residents and ensuring the issue of unplanned settlements is prevented. Deputy Director of Research Associate Professor Eugene Ezebilo who carried out the survey and authored the report says in order for the upgrade project to be implemented in an effective and orderly manner, effective guidelines and feedback mechanisms should be established before implementing the project. In the report he also states that informal settlements residents are willing to pay for service charges associated with improved infrastructure and services. “For the upgrade project to be effective and sustainable, the residents should be involved in the planning, implementing and in selecting the infrastructure and services needed,“ Professor Ezebilo said. “This is what we found during the survey in regard to the resident’s reaction to the proposal of informal settlements undergoing an upgrading program.” The launching of the report was witnessed by government and line agency key stakeholders representatives who acknowledged the report and gave their views on the need for a whole government approach to be taken on this impending national issue.

Published on August 20, 2021

https://pnghausbung.com/get-vaccinated-receive-a-free-big-rooster-meal/

Published on August 20, 2021

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