Anderson Agiru
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Anderson Agiru MP | |
|---|---|
| Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea | |
| In office 1997–2002 | |
| Preceded by | Dick Mune |
| Succeeded by | Hami Yawari |
| Constituency | Southern Highlands Provincial |
| In office 2007–2012 | |
| Preceded by | Hami Yawari |
| Succeeded by | William Powi |
| Constituency | Southern Highlands Provincial |
| In office 2012–2016 | |
| Preceded by | New position |
| Succeeded by | Philip Undialu |
| Constituency | Hela Provincial |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1961 or 1962 |
| Died | (aged 54) |
| Party | People's United Assembly (2012-2016) |
| Other political affiliations | United Resources Party (1997-2011) |
| Spouse | Cathy Kakaraya |
| Occupation | Politician |
Anderson Pawa Agiru (c. 1962[1] - 28 April 2016) was a Papua New Guinean politician. He was the Governor of Southern Highlands Province from 1997 to 2002 and 2007 to 2012 and the Governor of Hela Province from its creation in 2012 until his death.[2][3] His position had been disputed for the final five months of his life, with a December 2015 attempt to oust him by members of the Hela assembly - posthumously decided in Agiru's favour - still being determined in the National Court at the time of his death.[4][5]
Agiru was born in Hogombe village. He was educated at Dauli Primary School and Tari High School, and received a Master of Business Administration from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Prior to his election, he was a student activist and then first secretary to MP and government minister Parry Zeipi.[6][7] Agiru was elected as Governor of Southern Highlands Province at the 1997 election, succeeding Dick Mune, and formed the United Resources Party, with himself as leader.[8][9][3][10] In his first term, he criticised Ausaid, claiming that they only carried out relief efforts in "provinces where major Australian businesses are" and stated that multinational oil corporation BP had "[treated] my people with contempt" for selling its shares in local oil projects and "would not be allowed back onto the province".[11] In July 1999, Agiru remained loyal to Bill Skate during the crisis that resulted in Skate's ouster as prime minister by Mekere Morauta; however, in December he and four other governors crossed over to support the Morauta government.[12][13]
In June 1999, Agiru faced serious tribal unrest and calls for a state of emergency after Mune, who he had defeated in 1997, was killed in a car accident on the way to attend a court hearing involving a challenge to validity of Agiru's election.[14][15] Agiru was one of the signatories to a peace agreement regarding conflict between the Nipa and Tari people in September 1999.[16] It was reported in August 2000 that tribal fighting in the Southern Highlands had claimed more than 100 lives in the preceding year.[17] On 13 October 2000, both Agiru and the provincial government were suspended by Morauta, remaining in office but stripped of their powers, with administrators called in to run the government.[18]
In March, while still suspended, he was charged with misappropriating more than US$180,000 in public funds and released on bail.[19] In separate proceedings, in May, he was referred to the public prosecutor and the Leadership Tribunal for failing to furnish annual statements for the period 1984 to 1993 and being in possession of a high-powered firearm.[20] In October 2001, the National Court found Agiru's suspension unconstitutional and reinstated his powers as governor after a year.[21] In November, he was referred to a Leadership Tribunal for the second time over an incident where he was alleged to have held a pistol to the head of another person while playing golf.[22] He then challenged the referral to the Leadership Tribunal in court, claiming that the tribunal did not have jurisdiction because of an alleged denial of natural justice in the referral process, though it did not prevent his suspension while proceedings were ongoing.[23] On November 28, the opposition faction of the provincial government, in association with two national ministers, attempted to oust Agiru and install Tom Tomiape as governor; however, this was declared unconstitutional in December and Agiru was reaffirmed as governor.[24][25] The crisis was reported to have led to a flareup of tribal fighting which had claimed up to twenty lives.[26]
Agiru was found guilty by the Leadership Tribunal on twelve of the fifteen counts against him on 16 January 2002, and dismissed him from office, in addition to a fine, on 18 January.[27][28] Subsequent attempt to overturn the dismissal were rejected by the National Court in March, May and June, and the Supreme Court in June. As such, he was prevented from contesting the 2002 election and barred from public office for three years.[29][30][31] Another attempt to contest the Southern Highlands supplementary election was rejected in April 2003, ruling that his ban until January 2005 would stand.[32]