Simon Konkas | President – New Hanover Forum, Kavieng Branch

Environment Advocate and President of Lovongai Local Level Government, Hon. John Aini was arrested and charged by Kavieng Police and currently on K200 bail for threatening to kill Malaysians involved in logging and to destroy logging company machinery on Lovongai Island.

The President has admitted to the charges.

Spokesman for New Hanover Forum, Simon Konkas said, this is a desperate attempt by Logging companies and associates in their struggle to save face in their battle to clinch on and continue with their destructive and devious practices to acquire land in Lovongai for their selfish motives and agendas.

Simon Konkas said, “Our President Hon. Aini is not that type of person to go out killing Malaysians and to destroy company machinery, it is totally against his principles.

What our President is really saying is that, Logging Companies and associates have caused enough deceit and confusion amongst our people and their operation has caused enormous destruction to our land and environment.  He is simply saying, it is time to pack up and leave our island”

Our people in Lovongai are not getting the benefits of their resources.  They are being fooled into agreeing to allow their resources to be exploited for the monetary benefits of the people involved and foreign counterparts. This must stop now.

Our President has been wrongly accused by Logging companies and associates for doing the right thing - standing by his people.  He is doing what is morally right for his people and their land.

“This is a fight he (the now President) has been fighting over the years. We are now united and solid and will continue to fight with him, the injustice to our people and environment. We are determined and will win back our land for our people”