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Wewak snub for New
Generation
POLICE in Wewak yesterday sprang a surprise
on Lae MP Bart Philemon and his New Generation Party group by blocking
the launch of the party’s East Sepik branch in the town.
Mr Philemon was also threatened with arrest if he disobeyed police
orders and went ahead and launched the party branch.
The party had planned the launch, to be followed by a convention in the
town for supporters and intending candidates.
NGP provincial executives, intending candidates and supporters who
turned out in numbers yesterday to witness the launching at the Prince
Charles Oval at 10am were turned away by police, who refused to approve
their scheduled activity.
Even two traditional singsing groups, who were at the oval at 9am to
officially welcome Mr Philemon and his entourage and to add colour to
the ceremony, were told to go away.
Wewak Police told The National that the reason why they could not allow
the launching to proceed yesterday was because the NGP party executives
did not give them a seven-day notice.
Mr Philemon told The National from Wewak last night the move by police
took them by surprise.
“It started last (Sunday) night when we got warned that police would
arrest me and (former finance secretary) Thaddeus Kambanei on stage if
we go ahead and hold the meeting. I asked them why. I told them I would
go ahead because it is our democratic right,” the Lae MP said.
The warning was delivered by senior people within the East Sepik
administration.
Mr Philemon said he believed the order to stop the NGP meeting came from
political authorities in the province.
It is understood police permission is sought, and a seven days notice is
given, if a demonstration or protest march is planned.
“I did not have to do this (go to police) in other provinces and towns.
In Lae, I only had to seek permission from the city manager to hold
meetings in Eriku Oval and the Sir Ignatius Kilage Stadium,” Mr Philemon
said.
The NGP held the convention at the Seaview Hotel but postponed the
launch, with Mr Philemon vowing that he would return when the writs are
issued for a bigger occasion.
He said East and West Sepik, Madang and Morobe are considered stronghold
for the new party.
Mr Philemon severed ties with the National Alliance party after a
fall-out with Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. He is promoting the NGP,
although the National Alliance party has not released him from the
party.
 
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