John Tabinaman

John Tabinaman (born "circa" 1952) is the Acting President of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

Tabinaman is a member of the regional House of Representatives for Mahari constituency, elected in 2005 with 42.9 percent of the vote in a five-way race. [ [http://www.pngec.gov.pg/contents/elections/electionresults/pastresults/abgresults2005.pdf 2005 Autonomous Bougainville Government Election Results] (Papua New Guinea Electoral Commission)] Tabinaman was sworn in as Vice President of Bougainville on May 15, 2007 and also holds the ministerial portfolios for Public Service, Planning and Implementation, and Peace and Autonomy. [ [http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=8809/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl ABG names new vice-president] ("Islands Business", 21 May 2007)] [ [http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20070523/bville01.htm Tabinaman sworn-in as vice-president] ("Post-Courier" Online, 16 May 2007)] He succeeded Joseph Watawi, who was demoted after an incident of public drunkenness at Amun village caused a major scandal. [ [http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2007/April/04-27-09.htm Drunk Bougainville officials chased from burial site] ("Pacific Islands Report", 27 April 2007)]

Following the death of Bougainville President Joseph Kabui on June 7 2008, Tabinaman took over as Acting President until a new election is held. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7445626.stm "Funeral for Bougainville leader"] , BBC News, June 10, 2008.] Tabinaman said that the existing procedure of holding a new popular election would probably be followed, while also noting the possibility of a constitutional amendment that would instead allow Parliament to elect one of its members as President. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=40403 "Bougainville constitution change mooted to choose Kabui successor"] , Radio New Zealand International, June 17, 2008.] Planning for a new popular election subsequently began; it is expected to be held in November 2008. [ [http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/news/stories/200807/s2300210.htm?tab=latest "PNG to fund Bougainville presidential election"] , ABC Radio Australia, July 10, 2008.] [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=41752 "Bougainville presidential election shapes up as referendum on mining"] , Radio New Zealand International, August 29, 2008]

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