Author Archives: Andrew Moutu

GONE BANANAS?

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Andrew Moutu

CARGO CULT AS A RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHENOMENA have been around in different parts of Melanesia for quite some time now. Names of cultic figures such as John Frum on Tanna Island (Vanuatu); Yaliwan in the Sepik, Yali in Madang, Paliau … Continue reading →

Posted in Sorcery and Religion | 1 Comment

State against a nation of landowners

Posted on August 25, 2009 by Andrew Moutu

“STATE OWNERSHIP OF MINERALS IS VITAL to the development of PNG as  a nation. State control of resources allows them to be developed for the benefits of all citizens as required by the Constitution”.  Bear in mind here that this … Continue reading →

Posted in Land and land reform, Mining | 5 Comments

The tussle of private vice and public virtue

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Andrew Moutu

PRIVATE VICE AND PUBLIC VIRTUE have been in a tussle for centuries and there seems to be no shortage of venues for the tussle to enlist and stage itself as an issue of public debate. This idiomatic tussle comes into play when matters … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

Sorcery: a menacing scourge

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Andrew Moutu

ANYONE WATCHING MEDIA REPORTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS would not miss accounts of sorcery related violence. For some reasons sorcery allegations and violence associated with such allegations have been on the rise with startling frequency. This menacing threat is rampant throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in Sorcery and Religion | Leave a comment

Oligarchy, defeatism and the rule of law

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

THREE MONTHS AGO IN AUGUST I published an article entitled Cabinets of mendacious Curiosities which offered a commentary on the pscyhology of lying and deceit that is so much part of politics. The article was inspired by prevailing disagreements over the legality of a deal brokered … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 4 Comments

Co-operation against West Papua?

Posted on October 20, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

INDONESIA NEEDS THE MILITARY CO-OPERATION of Papua New Guinea, Australia and New Zealand to preserve peace, stability and security in the region. This is an enduring message that was stressed again last week at a function hosted by Indonesian Ambassador to PNG, … Continue reading →

Posted in West Papua | Leave a comment

The spiral of silence

Posted on October 15, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

WHEN SILENCE ISN’T GOLDEN! is not just a cute aphorism but is equally a poignant imagery that puts the sonoric into a metaphoric dialogue with the perceptual as if these senses share a unity to which our linguistic habits of thought seem too eager … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 1 Comment

Crocodile democracy & the tyranny of numbers

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

the admission “WE ARE WASTING OUR TIME, WE ARE GETTING BIG PAY FOR DOING NOTHING, for virtually doing nothing…. I am challenging each Member of Parliament, are we productive, are we doing anything, yet we want to get more pay, … Continue reading →

Posted in Melanesian Philosophy | Leave a comment

Cabinets of mendacious curiosities

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

“THE DEAL IS FLAWED”…. “NO, ITS OKAY”… ” IT WAS RUSHED”! Flawed, okay and rushed are the three kinds of adjectival phrases that captioned front-page news about a recent deal cut between companies and the Government of PNG to develop liquified natural gas (LNG) in the country. The development of LNG … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 2 Comments

Indonesia lauds blocking West Papua in MSG

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Andrew Moutu

THE INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Mr Bom Soerjanto, has praised the Papua New Guinea Government for the part it has played in blocking the issue of a free and independent West Papua to be raised in the recent meetings of the Melanesian … Continue reading →

Posted in West Papua | Leave a comment