Real PNG Life

10/11/2025

PETER IPATAS Stop sleeping.. If you feel your old brain is no longer active - Simply step down and let one of the younger one to lead.. Do people have to tell you all the time to do this and that through social media? Goroka landowners are killing our children. Send car to ge them to safety like what SHP and WHP and other provinces are doing.

03/11/2025

02/11/2025

Enga is under God's wrath.. Fighting and Death everywhere..Like King David ..Governor should resign..

24/10/2025

The Case and Conviction: Jacob Yafai

Jacob Yafai, formerly the Deputy Secretary for Finance in Papua New Guinea (PNG), was found guilty of misappropriating large sums of public funds and abusing his office.

Specifically:

He was accused and found guilty of authorising four cheques totalling K41.8 million (Papua New Guinea Kina) paid to Paul Paraka Lawyers in 2012-2013 without proper verification.

The court also found he abused his powers as a senior public finance officer.

In August 2025, the verdict was delivered: guilty on all five counts (4 misappropriation + 1 abuse of office).

On 23 October 2025, the sentencing: 22 years in prison with hard labour, to be served at the Bomana Prison. The four misappropriation counts each carried 20 years, and the abuse of office 2 years; all concurrent.

The prosecution initially sought a 42-year term, but the court settled on 22 years, saying it was appropriate given the facts.
Papua New Guinea Today

The court, under Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, stressed that the failure to verify claims and the use of the authority of office to process large payments without due diligence represented a serious breach of public trust.

Context & Details

What went wrong:

Yafai, acting as Deputy Secretary under the PNG Finance Department, signed off or caused the release of payments to Paul Paraka Lawyers, despite the claims not being verified with the Solicitor-General or properly checked.

The payments were made at the direction (or alleged direction) of then Finance Minister James Marape (who wrote a handwritten note: “Please peruse, verify and settle”). But the court found this did not absolve Yafai from his duty to verify.
The National

The timeframe: the mis-payments occurred around 2012-2013; the case took years to resolve and the court handed down guilty verdicts in August 2025, sentencing in October 2025.

Yafai did plead for leniency, citing his long public-service career and the fact that he did not personally benefit from the funds.
PNG Facts

Significance:

This is one of the most high-profile corruption/embezzlement cases in PNG’s public service sector in recent years.

The decision signals a strong stance by the judiciary on misuse of public funds. The large amount (K41.8 million) makes it an especially serious matter.

It has implications for accountability of senior public servants and for public trust in the management of state resources.

Implications & Lessons

For Governance & Public Service:

Senior public-officers must observe due diligence: verifying claims, following procurement/financial management processes, documenting decisions. Failure can lead to criminal charges.

Even when instructions come from higher-up, responsibility still lies with the official executing the process — the court in this case held Yafai accountable despite claims of ministerial direction.

Large-scale misuse of public funds undermines development, service delivery and public confidence. It has cost implications for the government and citizens.

The decision may deter others in public service from abusing office; a message that misuse will be punished.

For PNG specifically:

The case may improve the credibility of PNG’s anti-corruption efforts, at least in part.

It may spur reforms in how legal-cost claims, government payments, and oversight functions are handled.

For citizens, it may raise expectations that similar cases will be pursued and resolved, regardless of seniority.

For the individual & system:

Even with a long career, senior officials are not immune from accountability.

The sentence (22 years) is significant; though the counts run concurrently, serving such a term will obviously end or severely limit his professional future.

The case highlights the cost of inaction: the payment of K41.8 million by the state for claims that were allegedly not properly verified.

What comes next

Yafai has signalled he will appeal to the Supreme Court of PNG.

How the appeal plays out will be watched closely as it may set precedent for how similar cases are handled, sentencing standards, etc.

Additionally, this might prompt further audits of other large payments or legal-fee claims in the public service to ensure there are not similar irregularities.

The government and public service may conduct reviews of internal controls, verification processes, and accountability mechanisms to prevent recurrence.

Final Thoughts

The jailing of Jacob Yafai marks a major moment in PNG’s efforts to hold senior public officials accountable for misuse of public funds. It underscores the idea that leadership roles bring greater responsibility, and that failing to verify, control, and protect state resources is a grave matter.

For the public, it offers some hope that large-scale misappropriations will not simply go unchecked, and for the public sector, it is a reminder of the necessity of transparency, rigor and integrity in financial management.

24/10/2025

Qualities of a True PNG Leader

Leadership is not just a title; it is a standard of behavior, discipline, and presence. In Papua New Guinea today, our people look up to their elected representatives not only for decisions and development but also for the example they set. A true leader must therefore learn to carry themselves with dignity, confidence, and respect for the office they hold.

A leader should not dress in rags or present themselves carelessly in public. Appearance speaks volumes — it reflects how seriously one takes their role and the people they represent. Dressing with dignity is not about pride or wealth; it is about respect for the mandate entrusted to you by your people.

Secondly, a true leader must know where to draw the line. While it is important to remain connected to the people, a leader should not “mix up” too freely until their leadership image is lost. Familiarity without boundaries can erode authority. A leader must stand out — not to show superiority, but to inspire confidence. People must see their leader as someone they can trust to guide, not someone easily swayed by every voice in the crowd.

Moreover, a leader must avoid behaviors that weaken public respect. A person entrusted with leadership should not be seen playing pokies, drinking beer in public, or engaging in casual social habits with those they represent. Such actions diminish the seriousness of leadership and blur the line between guidance and indulgence. True leadership requires self-control, discipline, and the understanding that public perception shapes public trust.

To understand this better, think of a game of football. The referee does not play with the players. His job is not to score goals but to maintain order, fairness, and control. The same principle applies to leadership. An elected Member of Parliament is not a player — he or she is the referee. Your duty is to direct, to oversee, and to ensure that the game — the progress of your community or district — is played fairly and effectively.

In every ward, district, and province, people look for leadership that commands respect, not demands it. A leader must stand firm in principles, make wise decisions, and remember always that leadership is about service — not popularity.

Therefore, to all aspiring and current leaders: Lead with dignity, set the example, and never forget that leadership is not about blending in — it is about standing out with purpose.

13/10/2025

We now have option to create 2ndary account unrelated to main account.. PNG Cybercrime, ur work will be Tougher..

07/10/2025

Look after Your Health..There is no medicine in Hospitals.. Looks after yourself.. Your safety is not guaranteed in PNG..

07/10/2025

Is Governor Ipatas the Silent Financier or Just Ignorant?

For month, the people of Enga have been drowning in a river of blood, living in a nightmare of tribal warfare and lawlessness. We bury our sons, we mourn our fathers, and we watch our homes burn. We keep asking one question: WHY? Is there any Law? Is there any Leader?

The answer, which many are now daring to speak aloud, points directly to the man who has held the reins of power in Enga for decades: Governor Sir Peter Ipatas.

While our province bleeds, the "King of Enga" sits silently in his chair, sipping coffee and engaging in cozy meetings with some of the very warlords terrorizing our people. This is not an accident; it is a calculated strategy.

The Kompiam "3-in-1" Blueprint: A Deliberate Descent into Anarchy

Look no further than Kompiam. The so-called "3-in-1" fighting that ravaged the district was not a spontaneous outbreak of tribal rage. It was a fully financed and supported operation. Reliable sources from within the province confirm that the funds, the logistics, and the political backing for this destruction flowed from the top. The goal? To destabilize and tarnish the reputation of the local Open MP and create a crisis that would make the sitting government look weak and ineffective.

Wapenamanda Knew the Truth and Reacted

The people of Wapenamanda are not blind. They saw the same sinister pattern being attempted in their backyard. They recognized the invisible hand fueling the conflicts, pitting neighbors against each other. They have killed at least one Governor's tribesman which was a direct and tragic message from the people of Wapenamanda. It was a desperate act saying, "We see you. We know where this fire is being stoked from." They struck back at the source, a grim testament to their conviction about who truly bears responsibility.

The Governor’s Deafening Silence is itself a Disaster

Throughout this entire term, as schools closed, businesses were destroyed, and families were torn apart, what has been the Governor's public stance? A thundering, shameful SILENCE.

He is not a leader overwhelmed by a crisis he is trying to solve. He is a spectator enjoying the game. He has time to be jealous of other MPS but no time for a public, passionate plea for peace or a decisive plan to disarm his province. Why?

Because the chaos serves a political purpose. A peaceful, united Enga does not need a "strongman" to rule it. A broken, fearful Enga is easier to control through patronage and fear.

Because the flow of fi****ms, which everyone knows continues unabated, has benefactors in high places. A disarmed population is an empowered one, and that is a threat to the current establishment.

This is more than negligence; it is a deliberate policy of violence for political gain. Peter Ipatas must answer for this. He must explain his silence.

Enga is buring and drowning in blood, and we will not stay silent anymore.

Share this if you believe the truth must be told. .

30/09/2025

Condemnation Statement

I strongly condemn the inhumane and evil act of a this man for ra**ng his own two daughters. Such a crime is not only a violation of human rights, but also a betrayal of the sacred duty of a father to love, protect, and provide safety for his children.

This act is shameful, unacceptable, and must be condemned by all right-thinking members of society. Perpetrators of such crimes should face the full force of the law, and victims must be given justice, protection, and support to heal.

No child should ever suffer at the hands of those who are supposed to protect them.

24/09/2025

What is happening to my beautiful country once rules by respect and integrity? Beer mekim or maruana mekim or western influence or we are just advancing?😅🤣😂🤣😅🤣🤣😅

20/09/2025

Personal Security and Safety in Port Moresby: Lessons from Black Wednesday

Port Moresby, the capital city of Papua New Guinea, has long struggled with issues of crime, violence, and insecurity. These challenges reached a frightening climax during the recent “Black Wednesday,” a day marked by a complete breakdown of law and order. Shops were looted, public property was destroyed, and ordinary citizens were left at the mercy of mobs driven by desperation and lawlessness. The events of that day revealed not only the fragility of our public security systems but also the depth of social unrest brewing within the city.

Black Wednesday: A Breakdown of Security

The chaos of Black Wednesday was more than just opportunistic crime. It exposed how quickly communities can descend into an animalistic state, where moral boundaries collapse, and people act without remorse or consideration for others. For many residents, the day was a sobering reminder that in moments of disorder, official protection is almost non-existent. Police were outnumbered, outmaneuvered, and in some cases, simply powerless to control the scale of destruction unfolding across the city.

The Reality of Safety in Port Moresby

Living in Port Moresby means living with constant awareness of risk. Break-ins, carjackings, assaults, and petty theft remain common. Residents have adapted by changing daily routines: avoiding certain streets after dark, investing in private security where possible, and relying on close-knit family or community networks for protection. But Black Wednesday demonstrated that even these measures are limited when disorder reaches a mass scale.

The Fear-Based System of “Security”

In the absence of an effective, reliable policing system, another form of “security” has taken root in Port Moresby: fear of retaliation through family and tribal connections. In many parts of the city, people are cautious not because of respect for the law, but because of fear of consequences if they wrong the wrong person. If a thief steals from someone known to be from a strong or feared region, they risk violent retribution from that person’s relatives or wantoks.

This is why Engans and Helas often seem safer in Port Moresby. Both groups are known to have strong tribal connections and large networks in the city. Criminals tend to avoid targeting them, fearing that if they do, there will be immediate retaliation not just from the individual but from their extended community. This fear acts as a powerful deterrent, creating a form of protection that the state itself struggles to provide.

A Difficult Truth

This is a troubling reality. A functioning society should rely on institutions—the police, the courts, and community leadership—to uphold peace and protect citizens. But when these institutions are outnumbered and overwhelmed, people fall back on older systems of deterrence: fear of payback and tribal solidarity. While this may provide some short-term protection, it cannot be a substitute for justice or sustainable peace.

Conclusion

Black Wednesday must stand as a warning that Port Moresby’s security crisis cannot be ignored. Citizens should not have to depend on fear of tribal retaliation to feel safe in their own city. Yet, as things stand, this system has become the only effective form of deterrence where law enforcement is stretched beyond capacity. Until policing and governance are strengthened, it will remain true that those with strong tribal backing—like Engans and Helas—enjoy more security in Port Moresby than those without such protection.