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  • FATHER RAISES CONCERNS ON CYBERBULLYING TARGETNG HIS DAUGHTER

    A distraught father in Port Moresby wants urgent intervention from authorities after his teenage daughter became the latest victim of a disturbing wave of cyberbullying sweeping the country.

    Kasis Inape, a concerned parent from the National Capital District, says he turned up at the Cyber Crime Office at 7-Mile Police Station yesterday morning to file a formal complaint—only to discover the stark reality facing law enforcement.

    “I went to lodge my complaint, but the officer in charge told me cybercrime is on the rise and they simply don’t have the manpower or technical capacity to deal with the surge. Cybercrimes respect no one. Every one of us is vulnerable,” Inape said via his Facebook post.

    According to Inape, his daughter attended her niece’s graduation ceremony at Sir John Guise Stadium last week when an unknown photographer snapped her picture without consent. The photo was later cropped, reposted online, and began circulating widely. The situation escalated when another individual allegedly edited the image to make it appear explicit—an act the father describes as “devastating and humiliating.”

    “I am a disciplined parent. I don’t tolerate such behaviour for my daughters,” he said. “Someone took advantage of her image and violated her dignity. How can I track the person responsible and pursue justice under the Cyber Crimes Act?”

    Inape said the officer he spoke to stressed that cyber-related offenses are occurring daily, yet the country still lacks a fully equipped unit to fight them. He is now calling on the Government to urgently establish a properly resourced cybercrime division, complete with trained personnel and modern digital investigative tools.

    He believes Papua New Guinea can learn from partner countries like Australia through the existing AFP–PNG Police partnership, saying such cooperation could help build a robust and effective cybercrime enforcement framework.

    “These crimes are growing faster than our ability to respond,” Inape warned. “Families like mine are being left helpless. We need a functional system—not tomorrow, but today.”

    As the viral post continues to circulate, the father vows not to give up until justice is served and proper protections are put in place for all citizens, especially young women increasingly targeted online.

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  • Nupiri present’s K100,000 to affected families

    A leader of Southern Highlands, Peter Nupiri, today presented K100,000.00 as a show of sympathy to all affected families living in and around the Old Compound area in Mendi town.
    He said the contribution was a genuine expression of sorrow for the hardship and suffering endured during the 2022 election-related mayhem in Mendi.
    This presentation follows Mr Nupiri’s earlier compensation exercises, where he personally compensated families of those who lost their lives and those who were injured during the unrest.
    During today’s event, Mr Nupiri also extended an open invitation to the people and leaders of Tubiri village, saying he was ready and willing to sit with them, apologise to each other, and restore peace whenever they were prepared to do so.
    He affirmed that true leadership requires humility, responsibility, and the courage to make peace.
    Having already apologised publicly and compensated families months ago, Mr Nupiri said he wanted to go a step further before Christmas and bless the affected families with something they can share as they look toward the festive season.
    He said the contribution was a genuine expression of sorrow for the hardship and suffering endured during the 2022 election-related mayhem in Mendi.
    He concluded by wishing all families a safe and peaceful Christmas and urged everyone to continue upholding peace, unity, and respect in Mendi town.

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  • WOMAN SUES EMPLOYER FOR FIRING HER FOR HER TENDENCY TO ARRIVING EARLY AT WORK

    A Spanish woman in Madrid, recently took the company she used to work for to Court for firing her because she often arrive at work very early.

    Coming in late for work can be considered grounds for dismissal, but it turns out that arriving too early can also be considered a serious problem by employers. A Spanish woman found this out the hard way when she was let go after repeatedly ignoring warnings that she was arriving too early.

    The young woman, who worked for a delivery company based in Alicante, was in the habit of arriving at her workplace between 6:45 and 7:00 a.m., even though her contract stipulated that she was supposed to start at 7:30 a.m. This meant that she started her shift earlier than her coworkers, which displeased her manager. She was first reprimanded for her habit in 2023, but she continued to arrive early, ignoring the thinly veiled threats from management.
    Earlier this year, her boss decided to fire her for “serious misconduct,” arguing that by arriving so early, his employee had no tasks to perform and was therefore making no contribution to the company. The employee didn’t see things that way, though, and she challenged the decision in an Alicante social court.

    To the young woman’s surprise, the Court sided with her employer, arguing that, by repeatedly ignoring the management’s warnings, she had a negative impact on the employee-employer relationship.

    ” The worker’s conduct had an impact on the relationship of trust and loyalty, which is considerably affected, because despite the company’s warnings … the complainant insisted on entering prematurely,” the Court’s ruling read. “Ultimately“, it is considered that the behaviors attributed to the worker … are of sufficient gravity and importance to constitute very serious misconduct of disloyalty, breach of trust and disobedience, which justify the termination of the employment relationship.”

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  • Sam Koim resigns as IRC Commissioner General

    Internal Revenue Commission (IRC) Commissioner General Sam Koim will officially resign on Tuesday, ending a six-year tenure marked by aggressive tax reforms and a high-profile crackdown on compliance.

    Koim has kept the country guessing on the real reason behind his abrupt departure, but hinted that his exit is not driven by turmoil or pressure.
    “I am not running away from something, but I am running into something,” he said, signalling a possible transition into a new professional chapter.

    His resignation from the IRC will also see him vacate two other major public roles — as board member of the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority and as chancellor of the PNG University of Technology.

    Koim has not disclosed what he plans to “run into”, but his comments have already triggered speculation across government and corporate circles. His exit comes at a time when the IRC is pushing through several modernisation programs and strengthening enforcement mechanisms that have boosted revenue collection in recent years.

    More details are expected when he formally announces his next steps on Tuesday.

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  • School principal arrested as ICAC cracks K1m tuition fee scam

    A New Ireland school principal has been accused of turning public education funds into his personal cashbox – buying four motor vehicles and enriching himself through an elaborate tuition fee fraud now under investigation by the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

    Frederick Mahisu, Principal of New Hanover Secondary School, was arrested and charged after ICAC uncovered what it describes as a sprawling corruption network siphoning more than K1 million meant for schoolchildren in New Ireland Province. Mahisu allegedly sat at the centre of the racket, funnelling Government Tuition Fee Subsidy (GTFS) payments into his own pockets.

    ICAC confirmed that Mahisu faces one count of misappropriation totalling K1,040,339.55, two counts of official corruption, one count of conspiracy to defraud, and one count of dealing with criminal property. His alleged accomplice, provincial GTFS Coordinator Apollo Pangasa, has also been arrested, with more charges anticipated.

    According to investigators, the scheme operated by fraudulently inflating student numbers on official school census forms between 2021 and 2025. The inflated roll allowed Mahisu and Pangasa to trigger the release of extra subsidy funds, which were then quietly diverted.

    ICAC says Mahisu used a substantial portion of the funds to purchase four vehicles for both business and private use—an apparent display of wealth that quickly drew scrutiny. All four vehicles have since been seized.

    The corruption web extends further. Investigators found kickbacks funneled into Pangasa’s personal bank account and identified Benson Apelis, CEO of the Provincial Social Services Division, as another alleged beneficiary.

    Three search warrants have already been executed at Mahisu’s school, the New Ireland Provincial Government subsidy office, and New Hanover Secondary School, resulting in the seizure of documents and electronic evidence.

    ICAC says more arrests are imminent as it widens its probe into what it calls a systemic network of corruption draining the country’s free education funds.

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  • Polye’s wife makes undertaking to complete Sports contract before 2026 PNG Games

    The wife of former Kandep MP Don Polye has asked the National Court to lift restraining orders placed over her bank accounts, offering a formal undertaking that she will use the remaining project funds to complete the procurement of sports equipment ahead of the 2026 PNG Games.

    Kathleen Ruth James, through her lawyer Edward Sasingian of Sasingian Lawyers, appeared before Justice Teresa Berrigan yesterday seeking to set aside the orders issued on 12 September 2025 under section 579(1)(b) of the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA). In the alternative, she asked the court to invoke its constitutional powers under section 155(4) to set aside the restrictions.

    Central to her application is an undertaking she is willing to give the court: that she will complete the outstanding purchase and delivery of sports equipment required under her K1.7 million contract with the PNG Sports Foundation (PNGSF), ensuring the project is finalised before the 2026 PNG Games.

    In supporting submissions, Mr Sasingian argued that investigations relied on misleading and incorrect statements, particularly within the affidavit of Detective Jeremiah Kalap which formed the basis of the ex parte restraining order. He said key claims concerning the status of the contract, payments allegedly linked to Mr Polye, work already completed, and the value of funds held in the applicant’s accounts were inaccurate.

    He further highlighted correspondence from the PNG Sports Foundation confirming that the project remained active and that the Sport Mapping Report—valued at K500,000—had been received and accepted. This amount, he argued, should be deducted from the K1.757 million paid to Ms James’ company, Karma Investment, when assessing the funds in question.

    Mr Sasingian also submitted that payments made to Sabbath Inn, a business owned by Mr Polye, did not come from PNGSF funds but from a Mappin Mande Trading, and that this distinction had been misrepresented to the court, unfairly implicating Mr Polye.

    Reinforcing Ms James’ willingness to comply with the original project objectives, Mr Sasingian told the court she stands ready to continue the procurement process immediately if the restraining orders are lifted.

    However, Acting Public Prosecutor Helen Roalakona opposed the application, arguing that the restraining orders should remain because an application for a confiscation order is already active under section 59 of the POCA. She maintained that Ms James has adequate remedies available within the POCA framework and therefore cannot rely on section 155(4) of the Constitution.

    Justice Berrigan reserved her ruling to a later date.

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  • Baisu prison in dire straits, unfit for human dwelling

    The National Court has issued an urgent warning to the Government, revealing that the biggest Baisu Correctional Facility in Western Highlands is on the brink of collapse—physically, operationally, and constitutionally.

    In a scathing 27-page judgment, Justice Graham Ellis, the resident judge of the Wabag National Court, found that the current conditions at Baisu amount to serious breaches of human rights under Sections 36(1), 37(1), and 37(17) of the Constitution. These provisions guarantee humane treatment, dignity, and lawful protection for all persons, including those in custody.

    What the Court uncovered is nothing short of shocking.

    Baisu, which houses prisoners from seven Highlands provinces, is crumbling. The Provincial Health Authority has condemned the administrative block, three maximum-security cell blocks, and even the rations storage building. Guard towers are so unstable that officers refuse to use them.

    Sewerage is overflowing. Water is stored in buckets due to supply failures. Power cuts are constant. The perimeter fence is rotting. And overcrowding has reached dangerous levels, with 109 remandees squeezed into space built for only 80.

    The judge noted that the situation has already contributed to escapes—including nearly all accused persons awaiting a major Porgera trial.

    A health assessment from 2023 found 68 “very serious” hazards and 27 “serious” hazards, none were rated minor.

    In 2023, a Parliamentary Committee estimated Baisu needed K49 million in urgent upgrades. Yet only K4 million has been spent in the past three years.

    The Correctional Services Minister’s affidavit revealed that although budget appropriations totaled K91 million for prisons nationwide between 2023–2025, only K21 million was ever released—leaving Baisu and other facilities severely underfunded.

    For 2026, the Government has budgeted K5.6 million for Baisu—barely enough to tackle the most critical repairs like sewerage restoration, water systems, electrical upgrades, cell block reconstruction and perimeter fencing.

    Most concerning, the Court noted: There is no plan if Baisu is forced to shut down entirely.

    While the Court stopped short of ordering the Government to spend money, warning such an intervention could breach separation of powers, Justice Ellis made it clear that Baisu poses a real risk of mass escape or closure.

    In an unprecedented move, the Court has ordered the judgment to be circulated to every MP before the Budget session, urging swift action.

    “This is not a political issue,” Justice Ellis stressed. “It is a constitutional one.”

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  • Telefomin MP and State Minister Solan Mirism passes on

    The nation and the people of Telefomin are mourning the sudden loss of Telefomin MO and Works Minister Solan Mirisim

    Mirism passed away early this morning at the Port Moresby International Hospital after a brief illness.

    The long-serving Telefomin MP, first elected in 2012, leaves behind a legacy that reshaped some of the country’s most remote communities and positioned PNG on a stronger path toward infrastructure connectivity and sustainable development.

    Mirisim, who most recently served as Minister for Works and Highways under the Marape Government, was a driving force behind the Connect PNG Program. His leadership propelled major national highways, key missing-link road projects, and landmark infrastructure upgrades that opened access for millions. Among the standout achievements during his tenure was the construction of the nation’s longest footbridge at Papa-Lealea—an emblem of his commitment to connecting rural families to essential services and opportunities.

    He also previously served as Minister for Forests, where he steered reforms aimed at promoting downstream processing and sustainable forestry practices.

    Born and raised in the rugged Telefomin District of West Sepik Province, Mirisim rose from humble beginnings. After completing his local education and later earning a Certificate in Business Management from Lae Business College, he built a successful career in business and community advocacy before entering national politics.

    Today, his passing is being felt across the political spectrum and throughout the country’s northwestern highlands, where his vision and hands-on leadership earned him deep respect.

    Funeral arrangements and further official statements from the Government will be released in the coming days.

    The people of Papua New Guinea, especially the Telefomin community, are united in grief as they honour a leader remembered for his determination, calm leadership, and unwavering service to his nation.

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  • Polye request return of his mobile phone, while facing K1.7 million corruption allegations

    The Waigani District Court this morning, issued directives for Investigators from the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), to return the mobile phone of ousted Kandep MP Don Polye.
    Polye’s personal mobile device was confiscated by members of the ICAC team during the time of his arrest.
    Polye’s lawyer, Edward Sasingian of Sasingian Lawyers, made an oral application before Magistrate Paul Puri Nii, asking the court to issue formal directives for the mobile device to be returned.
    The ICAC prosecutor did not object to the request and the magistrate issued formal directives for the return of the moblie device to Mr Polye.
    Meantime, Polye was formally arraigned on three charges relating to over K1.7 million.

    The charges include attempting to Pervert Justice, Conspiracy to Defeat Justice,  and Official Corruption. The court adjourned the case to February 16, 2026, allowing police continue investigations.

    The allegations stem from an ICAC probe launched around November 2024 into the suspected misappropriation of K1,757,849.44 belonging to the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation. Police say the funds were paid across four transactions to Karma Investments Ltd, a company owned by Kathleen Ruth James, Polye’s alleged wife.

    Investigators allege Polye, then Minister for Higher Education and Sports around the time, directed PNGSF to award contracts to Karma Investments without any proper tender process. The contracts, issued in December 2023, covered sporting equipment, consumables, and social mapping.

    ICAC raids throughout 2025 uncovered documents, digital evidence, and CCTV footage linking Polye to attempts to interfere with the investigation. Forensic analysis allegedly revealed communications between Polye and PML Project Manager Benjamin Malol, arranging a meeting at the Grand Papua Hotel, where they are accused of discussing the deletion of evidence.

    Further, Polye is alleged to have contacted an ICAC officer directly via calls and WhatsApp messages, seeking information and attempting to influence the course of the investigation.

    If proven, the allegations could amount to serious breaches of the Criminal Code, including official corruption and obstruction of justice.

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  • Polye released, welcomes arrest

    Court-ousted Kandep MP Don Polye has welcomed the arrest and charges against him, saying the independent investigations by Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) must go on.

    “I fully respect the process and I will abide by it,” Mr Polye said shortly after being released from the Boroko police station lockup after posting an hefty K50,000 court bail.

    His lawyer Edward Sasingian of Sasingian Lawyers managed to apply for bail and have Mr Polye released around 10pm.

    Polye is facing misappropriation charges of over K1.7 million around the time he was the Minister for Higher Education and Sports.

    Police alleged that Polye, through the PNG Sports Foundation, had engaged a company of his wife to procure sporting equipments for the PNG Games.

    Four separate payments were made totalling K1,757,849 44 between January 2, 2024 and May 3, 2024. The monies were paid  to a company called Karma Investments Limited,  purportedly for the supply of sporting equipment and other infrastructures for the purpose of the games.

    However, police alleged that the funds  were put to own use, way outside of its intended purposes.

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