PNG Government appoints new ombudsman

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has announced the appointment of Howard Maliso as an Acting Ombudsman.

Mr Maliso joins Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua and Ombudsman Phoebe Sangetari as the third Ombudsman, as required under section 271 of the Constitution and Section 11 of the Organic Law on the Ombudsman Commission.

Prior to this appointment, Mr Maliso was the director of legal services at the commission.

He holds a bachelor of law from the University of PNG and a bachelor of theology from the Martin Luther Seminary, and has 24 years of experience of service.

He was appointed by the Ombudsman appointments committee on May 26 and was sworn in yesterday.

This committee comprises the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, Chief Justice, Chairman of Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, and Chairman of the Public Services Commission.

The Prime Minister chairs the committee.

Mr Maliso will be acting Ombudsman until a permanent appointment is made. He was chosen from a pool of six candidates, all senior officers within the Commission.

Prime Minister O’Neill welcomed the appointment of Mr Maliso.

"Maliso is well qualified and an experienced senior staff at the Commission. His appointment provides the balance necessary for the Commission to discharge its duties and responsibilities in an efficient and diligent manner," Mr O’Neill said.

PNG Today/ Post Courier