Chief Ombudsman Chronox Manek dies after long illness
01 October 2012
THE DEATH OF CHIEF OMBUDSMAN Chronox Manek after a long illness has been referred to as a great loss for Papua New Guinea.
Mr Manek was appointed in 2008 and survived being shot in an assassination attempt in 2009.
Despite his illness, he continued to serve in the job until ill health forced him to step aside last month.
Mr Manek conducted several investigations into high profile leaders including former Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare.
Radio New Zealand International reports the chairman of Transparency International PNG, Lawrence Stephens, as saying Mr Manek was strongly committed to an important job which was made difficult because of a lack of resources.
“It was simply the nature of the fellow,” Mr Stephens said. “He is such a well-liked person and it is quite a loss to everybody.
“A quiet person, relatively humble but very well known by many people and well liked by many. He’ll be sorely missed.”
Mr Manek, who was from Wambangan village in the Boana District of the Morobe Province held a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Papua New Guinea and a Master of Law degree from the University of Melbourne.
He was appointed Public Solicitor in 1999 and in 2001 Public Prosecutor, also serving as co-Chairman of the International Association of Prosecutors World Conference; Director of the Asia Crime Prevention Foundation; Director of the International Ombudsman Institute; Vice-Chairman of the Pacific Ombudsman Alliance and Executive Committee Member of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities.
Mr Manek gained a reputation for campaigning against corruption by public figures and was the target of many attacks, mostly verbal but also the attempted shooting in December 2009 as he was returning home, narrowly escaping death.
It came as a shock when i learned that Chronox had passed away. He is not only PNG's loss but the regions' loss as well.
Posted by: Lionel Aingimea | 04 October 2012 at 10:04 AM
Nice chap. Me and Chronox went to Bugandi High school togther in the late 70's, we were classmates. Always had a joke to tell.
Sometimes I used to take him home to my place at 4 Mile outside Lae to have a feed and walk him back to school as he was a boarder at Bugandi.
He used to love my mum because she was kind to him.
Recently my mum passed on and now Chronox, or Dopeke as he was known at Bugandi. So long my bro. Life is short and cruel.
Posted by: Harvey Maladina | 02 October 2012 at 05:26 AM
To this reader of news reports from PNG, Chief Ombudsman Mr Chronox Manek exhibited, exuded and exemplified leadership in ideal, integrity and illustriousness for his nation and fellow compatriots.
Let mourning for his family and his nation give rise to a call to young men and women of PNG, to accept and to embrace the sacrifice that is their opportunity to serve folk of their country, in such spirit as has Mr Chronox Manek.
Posted by: Lindsay Bond | 02 October 2012 at 12:21 AM
A true leader and a humble person. I will miss you brother.
Posted by: Nester Firat / Cairns | 01 October 2012 at 09:13 PM
This is very sad news.
Within months of the attempt on his life, Mr. Manek kindly agreed to join us in Brisbane when the University of Queensland hosted the UN's global World Press Freedom Day event on 3 May 2010.
The theme of the conference was "Freedom of Information: the Right to Know" and, as UQ's Convenor of this international activity, I sought to bring many key people from the Pacific to Australia to provide an insight into the challenges they faced in going about their daily work.
We were absolutely delighted when Mr Manek, then Chief Ombudsman of Papua New Guinea, accepted our invitation to speak to the full conference. At the time, he was still recovering from the wounds he received when shot by the assailant.
Mr Manek brought an air of dignity and commitment to our symposium. His bravery in speaking against corruption and in favour of transparency in the democracy that is Papua New Guinea will stand as testament to his good work.
His country has lost a true friend and patriot.
Vale Mr Chronox Manek.
Posted by: Martin Hadlow | 01 October 2012 at 07:07 PM